C3 Not a choice

Annie shivered in fear as she step into her father study, it was a fine evening so she could not help but thought about why her father had called her here when he was supposed to be out drinking as always, according to London time, the night was still young.

"You are here" Lord Melton said when he saw her walked in, he noticed from the way she was walking in that she was scared.

"Yes father" Annie answered with her face bow, she adjust her evening gown making sure none of the bruises she had received from her father's beating earlier today was not revealed by the gown.

"Pack your clothing you are going to live with the Duke of Castor for as long as he wants you to be his mistress" Lord Melton declared.

At the mentioned of the Duke's name, Annie freeze in both fear her shock but when her father last words sink in, a sob escape her.

Her father could not possible compromise her reputation by sending her to be the Duke's mistress! The Duke had no human feelings in him. He could torture her, Annie could think of the worst way possible which only cause her sob to grow heavy.

"Will you stop tearing up like a child! You should be grateful the Duke showed interest in you which I doubt, he might change his mind the minute he found out you're a ugly duckling" Lord Melton spat angrily.

"No Father! You cannot possibly do this to me!" Annie cried which only make her father angrier.

"How dare you disobey my wishes" He growled.

"Jessica would be going in place of her" That came from Lady Joanne who had just stepped into the room, she happened to have been listening to the conversation and decided to cut in now.

"He requested for Annie" Her father replied in her tired voice.

"He does not matter who he request for, The Duke is a very rich man and since Jessica is at the age of marriage and very beautiful the Duke would no doubt find her desirable. After all she took after her mother" Lady Joanne bragged with a smile on her lovely mouth.

For the first time Annie agreed with her step mother and stare hopefully at her knowing she might be able to escape the nightmare her father was pushing her into her dreams.

"He does not wish for Jessica!" Her father yelled angrily.

Both women flinched, spuning around Lady Joanne exit the room well not after giving Annie a glare.

"You may go pack up" Her father ordered.

Annie opened her mouth to beg once more but shut it knowing very well it was going to be useless.

"I will go father. But can you tell me why I have to go? I do have a right to say no...right?" She asked wiping another trail of tears from her cheek.

"Sadly you do not have that right. I could not pay his debt and since he ask for you...do not worry be a good little girl and pleasure him. He may reward you with money when he return you three months later"

Annie eyes widened at the disgusting words her father just uttered but knowing she would be fighting a lost battle, Annie quietly exit the room.

Back in her room Annie let the tears flow freely from her eyes while packing the few tattered clothes she has left.

"Here is the whore" Lady Jessica mocked announcing her present.

When Annie refused to say a word, she continued.

"Mother just told me the Duke of Castor ordered you to be brought to him, I would like to warn you Annie. The Duke is my future partner and if you think because he wants you for a mistress you will trap him by falling pregnant then I warn you not to try it. I will have you beheaded" Jessica threatened.

"I have no interest in the Duke" Annie protested.

"You liar!" Jessica hissed. "You are only going to be there with him for three months. Then he will be all mine" With a smug smile on her face Lady Jessica left the room.

I have no interest in the Duke! Cried Annie yet again, someone she had once rejected! She could not help but think this is a way the Duke planed to get his revenge from her, the Duke was ruthless and heartless everyone knew that. Annie was suddenly terrified for her life.

Annie could not sleep properly last night knowing the very fate that lay before her in the early morning that follows.

She made breakfast hurriedly and tried to igonre the dagger look her step mother and sister were giving her, Annie so no reason why Jessica would be jealous of her, the Duke will only torture her but he made her father believed he wanted her as his mistress.

"When are you leaving?" Lady Joanne asked abruptly just as Annie was about to leave the room.

"I do not know but I think I do remember father saying before sun down" She answered.

"If I am you which I will never be" Lady Joanne said giving her a cruel smile. "Don't ridicule yourself by thinking the Duke shall marry you, he is going to take your virtue then discard you, that is if you find you pleasurable enough to bed you" The Countess said.

Annie wanted to cry but she willed herself not to.

"And remember he belongs to your sister, you are just going there to warm his bed. Now remove yourself from my present" She ordered.

Annie nodded and exit the room, she met her father ok her way to her room.

"Your ride as arrived" He informed her.

"Father please do not let me go" Annie pleaded once again.

Lord Melton only glared at her before walking away, with her heavy heart Annie return to her room to carry her bag.

She gasped when she saw the carriage waiting for her, the carriage was designed so beautifully that one would think a queen was to be carried inside. Annie knew she was no queen and behind her she could see the Countess and Jessica staring at the carriage with so much jealousy.

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Tbc