Alright new chapter time. I apologize for the long wait but here it is. Chapter 17. I must warn ahead that this chapter is why I changed the rating it does contain adult themes. So if you don't want to read about abuse and possible rape then skip this chapter or at least skip the last paragraph or two. That being said I tried to keep it as mild as I could while keeping true to the story and Kathleen's thoughts. I hope you enjoy this story. The guys aren't in this chapter but they will make a return next chapter when Lila FINALLY reaches the Ponderosa and informs everyone of what happened. The real question is will Adam be able to reach Kathleen in time or will he be to late? Please enjoy and review please and thank you.

The morning after Lila had left Duke decided it was time to set in motion phase 3 of his plan. It was time to marry Kathleen. He had sent Simon and Josh to town to get everything they would need for the wedding here. Now it was time to inform his lovely bride-to-be. Duke walked over to her room and opened the door slowly. Kathleen was sitting on the bed staring out the window. Kathleen had finally been able to change into a green checkered dress and had taken her hair down.

"How is my beautiful fiancé this morning?" Duke came in and spoke sickenly sweet to her.

Kathleen flatly replied, "Fine" as she continued to look out the window. Since Lila was no longer here Kathleen no longer had to worry about them hurting her.

Duke made his way over to her and wrapped his arm around her waist pulling her closer to him," What is the matter doll? "

Kathleen rolled her eyes and pulled away from him as she rose" Where should I begin? You shot my friend and then proceeded to kidnap me and my sister and hold us here hostage. Oh and you killed my parents and used/are using me to sneak your way into a mining deal. Anymore dumb questions, Honey?" Kathleen spat the last word out before opening the door to head into the kitchen. Duke let out a fake chuckle before rising and swiftly reaching out to close the door in front of Kathleen. He grabbed her arm and forcibly turned her toward him before lowering his face to her ear. He began roughly feeling her up and grabbing her. Kathleen cried out before being shoved into the wall.

"Now listen here my darling. Just because you're my girl doesn't give you the right to disrespect me. I will do to you what I want and if you disobey I will hurt you. You are mine now. You're never gonna see your bratty sisters or them Cartwrights ever again. That life is gone. You are now and forever gonna be Mrs. Kathleen Gracelyn Williams. And by becoming my wife I have the right to touch you whenever I want. We will be gettin' married tonight and we will consummate the marriage afterwards." Duke pulled away to look into her wide, frightened eyes. He lifted his hand to caress her cheek as she turned her face from him.

"We will make such lovey children Kathleen. You're going to make a lovely bride tonight. And I cannot wait to see you in bed underneath me as we make love for the first time." He smiled before leaning in to kiss her. Kathleen shoved him away from her as she took off for the door. She ran as fast as she could out the front door. Duke managed to catch her and deliver a swift slap across her face as she fell with a cry. He bent over and lifted her up over his shoulder. Kathleen screamed for help and kicked and hit his back over and over as he carried her back inside to the bedroom.

"It's no use darling there ain't no one around for miles. No one is comin' to save you. We will be married tonight and by this time next week we will be in Montana starting our new life together."

Lila had been walking almost all night before she finally gave out. She gathered a few branches and started herself a fire. Lila curled up in her dress. She looked at her ripped gown.

"What I wouldn't give to be in my britches and shirt again. Well whatever I need to get back to the Ponderosa and tell everyone about Duke. If anyone can rescue Kathleen Adam can. Well besides Joe. Joe…. I need to see Joe and make sure he is alright." Lila looked up to the sky. Dawn was just beginning so the sky was just turning that light shade of pink and orange. The stars were still visible so Lila laid back to watch the sun rise. She had no idea where she was or how to get home. Lila studied the stars for a few remembering how Kathleen used to take her and Isabelle outside to watch the stars. Kathleen had an old constellation book. Lila jumped up as an idea popped into her head. She could use the stars and sun to find her way home. Lila jumped up at this grand plan. She could get home. "Alright so there's a Lake that is Lake Tahoe which means if I follow along the shore I'll reach the Ponderosa in no time. This is great!" Lila looked down at her dress and groaned she grabbed the knife out of her bag and started cutting the dress. She cut out all the underneath fluff and cut the dress to her knees her white bottoms were showing, but she didn't care. It was by far more comfortable than that suffocating ball gown. After burning the remains of her dress she took off in direction of the North Star along the shores.

Kathleen stared into the full length mirror at herself in her white gown. The dress was very simple. It was white lace with a curved neckline and long sleeves. Kathleen touched the fabric and let it run between her fingers. It wasn't the wedding dress of her dreams. It wasn't the man either. Once again she found herself thinking of Adam. Of course they hadn't always gotten along but they had got much closer. She always felt this spark when she was with him. Safe, protected, happy; it was unlike anything she had ever felt before. Could she love him? Seriously Kathleen you've known him for what 6 months, and you've fallen in love with Adam Cartwright. I love Adam Cartwright. Kathleen took a step back as she spoke it out loud to herself," I love Adam." The door came open as Josh entered," 10 minutes." Kathleen nodded and Josh left the room.

Duke was standing outside with the preacher that Simon and Josh had kidnapped. Alex one of the new guards was standing behind him with a gun pointed at him. The man was in his late 50s with thin grey hair. He was wearing a plain tan shirt and dark grey pants. He had thick glasses on.

"So Mr.….."

In a shaky unsure voice," Moore. Frank Moore."

"Yes Mr. Moore. Do you understand what you have to do?"

"No-no sir."

Duke bit his lip as he stood up straight and clasped his hands together.

"You are here to marry me and my fiancé. "

"Why didn't you just come to town for that-"

"Don't Ask Questions!"

Mr. Moore jerked back as Duke brought his fist down on the table.

"Just perform the ceremony."

"Duke, she's ready."

Duke looked up to see Josh come out of Kathleen's room.

"Then let the wedding begin."
Duke rose and straightened his tie and wiped off his white shirt. Simon took his place beside Duke as Josh led Kathleen out. Kathleen looked around the cabin. The men had brought in a few flowers and somehow managed to find a preacher to perform this ceremony. As she took Josh's arm she wanted to cry. She finally realized her feelings for Adam as she was about to walk down the aisle to another man. She was going to marry Duke and be forced to raise a family with him. I guess I have to make the best of this. This is my life now. I'm never going to see Adam again, or anyone for that matter. Duke offered his hand to Kathleen. She reluctantly took it as she took her place by his side.

"We are gathered here today…."

"Just get to the important part old man."

"As you w-wish sir. Do you Duke Williams take -?"

"Her name is Kathleen Gracelyn Roberts. Ain't that right my dear?" Duke smiled again as he bent down and kissed her nose. Kathleen half-smiled back at him before turning away to blink away tears. This is actually happening. I'm getting married.

"Do you Duke Williams take Kathleen Gracelyn Roberts to be your wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?"

Duke smiled down at her with the coldest, most heartless smile she had ever seen. "I do."

"Do you Kathleen Gracelyn Roberts take Duke Williams to be your wedded Husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?"

Kathleen felt her throat close and her heart skip a beat as she heard those words' till death to you part'. She was going to be with him till she died. This was it. She hesitated and felt her head swarm with thoughts and memories of her life. Duke tightened his grip on her hand as she blinked and came back to reality. She barely whispered out," I do."

"I didn't quite catch that."

"I -do."

Mr. Moore nodded his head as he took in the situation. This wasn't a volunteered marriage. She was a hostage and she needed help.

"Do you have rings?"

"Simon, get the rings." Simon walked over to the table and picked up the simple rings. Duke's was a simple grey colored band. It looked to be the same material as a horse shoe. Kathleen's was a silver band with a small ruby in the center.

Simon handed Mr. Moore the rings and returned to his place.

Mr. Moore handed the rings to the respectful person before continuing.

"Duke take your ring and place it on Kathleen's hand and repeat after me, with this ring I thee wed."

"With this ring I thee wed."

Before the preacher could speak Duke spoke up," Kathleen do the same."

Kathleen looked down at the rough ring in her hand before taking Duke's hand. His hand was much bigger than her own and rough to the touch. Obviously from years of wear and tear.

"With this ring I thee wed…"

"I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may now kiss the bride."

Duke grabbed her and kissed her deeply, his tongue entered her mouth. Kathleen jerked back and hit him as hard as she could trying to get away from him before he released her.

Duke went straight for the kitchen to get some glasses and whiskey bottles. Mr. Moore pulled Kathleen aside," Miss are you alright? I can tell you aren't here on your own free will. When I go back to town I'll get you help." Kathleen shook her head and tried to silence him, but she was too late. Duke came up behind him and stuck his gun in his back.

"You will do no such thing Moore. You have served your purpose and now I am done with you. I can't have anyone knowing my Wife is here. Goodbye." Kathleen stood horrified as a scream escaped her lips as the gun fired and Mr. Moore fell to the ground in a growing pool of blood.

"Duke what have you done? He didn't do anything to you, why did you kill him?"

"Oh shut up woman. Josh, Simon clean this mess up I need to have some alone time with my new bride. Heh heh." The guys immediately knew what he was talking about and Kathleen quickly realized what he meant as he grabbed her and started dragging her toward the bedroom.

"No no Duke, please don't. Duke Please."

"Now I told you to shut up Kathleen. You are my wife now and as such you must please me. We will consummate our marriage and make sweet love my dear." Duke brought her into the bedroom where he closed the door and began pulling off her clothes and kissing her shoulders and caressing her body. Kathleen pulled away and tried fighting him off. She managed to get away for a second only to have him grab her by her hair and pull her back to him as he ripped off her bottoms. He quickly took off his own clothes as he slipped the last remaining clothes for her body and forcibly threw her on the bed and held her down as he traced kisses down her stomach as she began crying.

She managed to sob out," P-plea-se don't do this Duke. I b-beg you."

"Oh Kathleen hearing you cry and whimper only makes me want you that much more." Duke got up and grabbed some rope from a nearby table as he held her down, fighting him all the way, and tied her to the bed post. Duke straddled her as he ran his arms up and down her body.

Kathleen cried harder as she finally realized that she wasn't going to be able to stop him. No one was coming to save her; this was her life now. He was going to do this every night for the rest of her life. Kathleen cringed as he touched her and grabbed her chest. She cried out in pain as he slapped her and bit her. When she started crying louder and screaming he would choke her until she almost lost consciousness. She screamed as he forcibly ripped into her over and over. Soon her cries became silent as she submitted to his cruel torture. It was no use to fight him anymore. Help wasn't coming. Her tears were useless he didn't care. She was nothing anymore, but a body for him. Kathleen was no more; all that was left was Mrs. Duke Williams.