Dear readers,thank you for your feedback on the previous chapter. Really appreciate it. I'd like you to know, writers write better when they know what the readers think of the story; the characters and the plot, which character you like best etc. So please don't hesitate to leave a comment and let me know what's on your mind. Thanks again and I hope you stay safe and healthy wherever you are.Though Viscountess Winthrop had always been an aloof, distant mother who'd shown very little interest in her five children, Arabella had never really been able to hate her ~until now. She'd just come to realize that her virtuous, honorable mama was no better than a pimpstress. This very morning, Arabella had been forced to wear a tight corset and squeeze into a brand new dress a size too small, with an outrageously revealing décolletage, to impress her current suitor, Lord Bentley. She would never forget how her mother's face broke into a wide, self-satisfied smile when Lord Bentley's gaze was
Marguerite's gaze fixed on the passing building outside as the carriage rolled into the night. Across from her, Mary watched her in silence, waiting for some explanation for this outrageous venture. When five minutes had passed and Marguerite hadn't uttered a single word, the maid brought herself to ask,"What are we doing, Miss?" Marguerite remained silent as she couldn't seem to reason out her impulsive action. She only knew that if she just sat idly by at home, the tormenting ordeal of not knowing what really happened would drive her mad. Looking at Marguerite with a pitiful eyes, Mary carefully said,"Not to presume, Miss, I understand what you're feeling now and I'm sorry this happened to you, but this is pointless, and it will only hurt you more."Marguerite bit her lip. Perhaps her maid was right, this was a pointless thing to do, but instead of being tortured by endless suspicion and doubt, she preferred to learn the truth with her own eyes, no matter how ugly it might be. On
Dear readers, sorry for the irregular update lately. Been juggling between raising children and writing, I hope you can understand. While the pandemic hasn't really gone, some part of the world are torn apart by war. I pray for peace and safety and comfort to my readers wherever you are, and I hope reading my stories can bring a little joy to your days. May God always keep us protected and safe from harm.******"Look how lovely you are!"Viscountess Winthrop exclaimed once Arabella whirled around to show her new dress. The woman's gaze swept over her daughter's figure and her expression took on a rather regretful look."I used to dream that you, of all my daughters, would be the one to bear the heir to one of the oldest, richest titles in all England. Why, among your sisters, you are undoubtedly the fairest."Arabella stood listening to her mother with a compressed mouth. She wasn't the least bit flattered by the remarks, knowing what would follow next."But now, since you're far pas
Dear readers, thanks for your feedbacks on the previous chapter. They are my fuels to keep writing and delivering the best for you. Please feel free to comment, because I'd love to know what you think about the characters, the plot, etc. Constructive criticism is also welcome. Hope this chapter is entertaining and satisfying, enjoy! During the course of the evening, Matthew had been very vexed with her, but at the soft press of her lips, his annoyance vanished in a flash. He felt his knees turn to jelly, but then the tentative brush of her warm, moist tongue along the seam of his mouth made him grow hard in some other place. His lips parted to allow her entry, and at the feel of her tongue in his mouth, a guttural sound climbed out of his throat, a cross between a gasp and a moan. She was softer, hotter, sweeter than anything he'd ever tasted. Breaking loose of all his restraint, he devoured her mouth like a parched man who'd just found an oasis in the middle of an endless desert. H
Dear readers, thank you for all your feedbacks. Really appreciate it and looking forward to hearing more from all of you. Sorry for the very late update, trying my best to catch up! Hope you enjoy it!It seemed an eternity had passed before Arabella finally ended the kiss and reluctantly eased her mouth and arms away from him, leaving a cold, hollow spot in the places that had just filled with warmth. When he opened his eyes to see her face, he wondered if he only imagined it but she looked just as shaken, returning his gaze with a slightly quivering smile."Not bad for your first time." Not bad at all.Actually, the pretend kiss had left her dazed, not quite able to think or focus on anything else. Not intended for anything other than a charade, that kiss wasn't supposed to evoke any feelings, or to stir strong emotions as if it were a real one. She didn't expect it to have such a breathtaking impact on her, like the warm, giddy sensation that made her knees weaken and her mind reel
Matthew nearly choked on his tea. Abruptly he set his cup down."Maggie, it's not possible.""Why?" "I don't think that they will allow me to bring a partner.""They do. It's written on the bottom of the envelope. It's an invitation for two."Damn. What is he supposed to say now?Before Matthew could think of a sensible reason to refuse her request, she pleaded,"Matthew, I've always wanted to attend a ballroom party. You know the ballroom scene is my favorite part of the Cinderwench tale. I've always imagined what it looks like in reality.""I don't think you'll like the crowd, Maggie.They are, you know what your father always said about the nobility, they are pompous and arrogant.""I'll be fine with you by my side. I just want to know what it's like to attend a ball."Matthew tried to offer a few weak arguments to no avail because she insisted on going with him. Later that evening, he paced back and forth the short space in front of Marguerite's suite, racking his brain for a tack
Quite taken aback by the reproof, Matthew gave a defensive reply."I left her only for a few minutes and Maggie could perfectly manage to make herself comfortable without your assistance."Unprovoked, Jacob's voice remained calm and steady, yet lacking its usual jauntiness."Really? Do you know some lecherous blighter has just made improper advances on her? He'd grown aggressive and she would have been harassed if I came a minute too late."Matthew's eyes widened as the unexpected news caught him off guard."What?!! What happened?""It seems that the man accosted her and she rejected his advances. That idiot got infuriated and grabbed her by the arm. Fortunately I just happened to pass by and see the happenings before he could intimidate her further. I pulled that bastard off her and sent him off."Matthew froze as his brain formed horrible images of the incident. A man had dared to ill-treat Maggie, manhandling and threatening her in his absence. He couldn't begin to imagine how terr
Dear readers, trying my best to deliver these chapters. Please feel free to leave your comment and let me know what you think about the characters, especially who do you like the most and which characters make the best pairing. After escorting Marguerite to her suite, Matthew went to his study. Once inside, he poured himself some wine and sat contemplating today's events. This had been the first real glitch he'd encountered in his plan. He'd known it the moment Marguerite insisted on going to the party with him. This evening, he'd failed to help Bella and protect Marguerite from indecent advances. While he'd made amends to Maggie, he'd neglected Bella. He guessed she must be mad at him right now.It occurred to him to go and sneak into Bella's chamber to explain about his absence, but at the moment, he was too anxious about one particular matter to trouble about Bella.Not only Maggie's coming with him had ruined his plan, he'd also found a potential problem. He'd sensed it from the
The next morning, Marguerite wrestled her luggage out of her room, hoping to slip away before anyone awoke. Not anger, but something far more insidious fueled her haste. Sleep had evaded her the prior night. A torrent of rage had engulfed her initially, but as the hours bled into dawn, a sobering train of thought infiltrated the red mist.What was the true source of her anger? Was it Jacob's self-serving motives, or the fact that he'd shoved the ugly truth in her face, shattering the fragile hope she'd built through denial? The answer, a sudden flash of deep knowledge, hit her like a ton of bricks.The anger she'd displayed had been a mere facade. A mask for the real emotion lurking beneath ~ fear. Fear of the feelings Jacob had unearthed, emotions that threatened to lead her down a dangerous path.Shaken by the realization, her first instinct was to escape. A desperate flight before reason abandoned her entirely. Last night, she'd been swept away by his allure. How long could she re
Dear readers, please let me know if you're happy with the way the story is progressing. You are welcome to share your opinion and give me suggestions. Thank you and know that every comment you leave is a valuable input for me."Not a bad sight," she murmured. "Not a bad sight at all."A slight frown creased his brows then his lips curved into a knowing smile."Seems you've found a more captivating view closer by," he teased, his eyes twinkling with amusement.Marguerite felt a blush creep up her neck. "You're... you're so vain!" she stammered, flustered.Jacob shrugged, a hint of a playful smirk still lingering. "Never underestimate the power of a captivating sunset, or perhaps," he added, his voice dropping a notch lower, "the person standing next to it."Marguerite huffed, a strangled laugh escaping her lips despite her annoyance."You are incorrigible!"To Marguerite's relief, the playful banter eased the simmering tension. Jacob turned his attention to the treehouse, stepping forw
The next day, late in the afternoon, Jacob led Marguerite on a winding tour of the estate. As they strolled the stone path in the garden, Marguerite tilted her head up, admiring the towering trees above them. Sunlight dappled through the leaves, casting shifting patterns on the ground. "Jake, I've heard rumors about your far-flung voyage across Europe and the Middle East, is that true?" Marguerite broke the silence. Her question sounded innocent, but a flicker of something in her eyes betrayed a deeper curiosity."Indeed," he replied, "There was even a year where I barely touched home soil.""The allure of the unknown, experiencing new cultures and faces, it must be intoxicating," Her voice trailed off, her gaze flickering to his face, searching for a deeper emotion beneath the surface."But have you ever missed home amidst your adventures?"A flicker of sadness, as fleeting as a shooting star, crossed his features before a wry smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Perhaps the thr
When Marguerite entered the dining room later, a hint of vanilla and cinnamon danced in the air, mingling with the sweet perfume of the crimson roses that adorned the table's center. A dozen candles flickered softly, their warm glow painting the brick walls with the shimmering light of a thousand fireflies. The soft crackle of the fireplace added a comforting soundtrack to the ambiance. Linen napkins lay folded beside gleaming silverware, the perfect finishing touch to this romantic setting.Across the room, Jacob awaited her at a small round table draped in a snowy tablecloth. As she approached, he rose to his feet with a flourish, pulling out her chair with a practiced ease. His chivalrous demeanor fit perfectly with his previous image as a master of seduction.Yet, Marguerite had discovered a glimpse of something deeper beneath his carefree facade. Tonight, determined to explore this hidden side, Marguerite settled into her seat, anticipation simmering in the candlelit air. She pic
At the bottom, the butler materialized to guide them to the dining room, where the Duke and the duchess awaited. The duchess, a ravishing woman in her early forties, rose from her seat to welcome them. "I've heard the fascinating story about your connection to my husband's long-lost brother. What an incredible stroke of luck! The two of you are a real godsend!""Your Grace, you are far too kind," Marguerite replied, attempting a curtsy despite the duchess' attempt to stop her."Nonsense with formalities, Miss Goddard. Marguerite, may I call you that?""Of course, Your Grace," Marguerite said with a touch of amusement. "Just call me Maggie.""Then Maggie it is," the duchess declared, a warm smile gracing her lips. "And you, my dear, may call me Ava."Despite their recent acquaintance, Marguerite felt an inexplicable kinship with the duchess. As their conversation flowed, the duchess divulged a curious story."Years before my husband even knew he had a brother," she began, a hint of so
The Duke of Vermont paused just inside the doorway, surveying his unexpected guests. A young, attractive couple, clad in disheveled clothes, gawked at him, too stunned to offer a polite greeting."Have we met?" His question jolted them from their stupor.Marguerite and Jacob exchanged a bewildered glance, neither able to offer an immediate answer. The man standing before them was a mirror image of Matthew, a mature version with the same build and nearly identical face. The same eyes, an impossibly rare shade of blue, the same nose, the same strong jawline – It was Matthew's face, aged to perfection. Even his voice, a deep, rich rumble, echoed Matthew's own, the only difference being his mane of silver hair, a stark contrast to Matthew's raven locks.A beat of awkward silence passed before Jacob finally spoke, "Forgive me, Your Grace," he hesitated, "There's a... a certain resemblance we noticed between you and someone we know.""A resemblance, you say?" the Duke inquired, a hint of a
Dear readers, please don't forget to leave a comment below to help me understand what you like. I'll do my best to deliver the best for you.After a brief chat, they set their sights on the town market, hoping to find food and perhaps secure passage to their next destination, Vermont. The walk took about thirty minutes, and by the time they arrived, Marguerite's stomach was grumbling loudly. Despite the hunger pangs, she pressed on. Just as a wave of faintness washed over her, they reached the bustling market. Jacob, ever observant, noticed Marguerite's pale face and stopped short."Maggie, are you okay?" he asked with concern."I'm feeling a bit lightheaded," she admitted. "Maybe I need to sit down."Jacob gently took Chester from her arms and offered Marguerite his other arm for support. His firm grip steadied her as he guided her to a nearby bench."Don't worry," he assured her, "We'll find a doctor if you need one." He carefully placed Chester on the bench and helped her sit."No
Hello, so sorry for the late update. I've been juggling with my kids and my job recently, but I hope to deliver the best for all of you. Your comments are very helpful, so please tell me what you think about this story, about the characters, and what you like.The harsh words scraped against Marguerite's ears, conjuring nightmarish visions that coiled in her gut. Guilt twisted like a viper as she questioned sending Jacob back in. Relief washed over her in a tidal wave when a moment later Jacob emerged from the entrance, his soot-streaked face etched with grim determination. A whimper drew her attention to a small, trembling form nestled in his arms – Chester. "Jake! Thank goodness!"Returning the child in her arms to its mother, Marguerite sprinted toward them. Oblivious to the true source of her panic, Jacob mistook her frantic dash to him for concern over the puppy. He chuckled, passing the wriggling ball of fur into her arms."This little boy is shaken, but unharmed."Marguerite
Dear readers, I'm sorry for the very late update. Trying my best to juggle family, my current job and my passion for writing. Please keep in mind that I only want to deliver the best for you. Please feel free to let me know what you think of the story. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 🎊 As the trip progressed, Marguerite soon found that she could sit comfortably with Jacob for long minutes without the need to speak. To her great relief, he seemed relaxed and content with the companionable silence between them, not trying to entertain her with constant conversation. After a while, the quiet surroundings and the smooth motion of the vehicle made Marguerite feel sleepy. She'd just dozed off when suddenly the deafening sound of a gunshot rang out, startling her awake. The carriage lurched to a sudden halt and she was jolted forwards. Blinking back her confusion, she searched for Jacob in the opposite seat and asked fearfully,"Jake, is that robber?!" "You stay here, I'll check." Ja