The sudden, unexpected proposal delivered such a jolt to Marguerite, the shock of it momentarily reduced her to silence. Intent on convincing her, Matthew got to his feet, holding her arms firmly yet gently as he forced her to lock gaze with him,"Maggie. I know you may doubt me because of what I've done but I promise you, I will never disappoint you again. I will do my best to make amends for my past mistakes. Please give me a chance to prove it to you."Marguerite's heart started racing, her mind whirling with fanciful thoughts. She'd been dreaming and fantasizing about this moment since forever, but this, his change of heart, seemed too sudden, too drastic.Could it be true?"Matthew, it's not that I don't believe you, but... before I answer your question, I want you to be honest. Are you still in love with... the lady?"At the question, Matthew tore his gaze from her, his jaw clenching. "Maggie, it doesn't matter anymore. I'm done with her." She frowned at his answer."It does m
Dear readers, I'm so sorry for the very late update. I have another job recently and there's a lot to juggle. However, I hope you don't lose interest in this story. I'll do my best to give my best for you. Enjoy this chapter! Sorry if it's too short. The next one is in progress and I hope I can deliver it sooner."I'm pregnant."The words struck Matthew like lightning on a clear sunny day."No! It's impossible. I've always been very careful!" "Except for the last time we made love. You got carried away and forgot to withdraw on time."He froze as his brain began to play back the momentous events. He remembered that morning so vividly. He'd been so emotional after her acceptance of his weakness that he abandoned himself in a moment of unbridled, uninhibited passion. He'd made love to her multiple times throughout the day, and in one blissful moment he'd poured everything he had into her, literally as well as figuratively."But... but you said you could take care of it!" "I thought I
"I saw you with her."Matthew froze in place as the air left his lungs. Impossible! How could Maggie know about it? Did his man betray him? His mind whirled with questions, but there was no time for them now. What he needed was an immediate answer, and he couldn't afford to make the wrong move. He considered his options. It was nighttime and Maggie might haven't seen things clearly. He could try to convince her that she'd confused him with someone else."Maggie, you must have mistaken—""I know you like the back of my hand, Matthew. There's no way I would have mistaken you. I saw you step out of the back entrance. You talked to her at the curb, then you stopped a hackney cab and climbed into the carriage with her." She cut off, looking straight into his eyes. Matthew fell silent. Maggie had seen so much, it was pointless to deny it. Now he must find a way to convince her that it meant nothing. Arabella meant nothing to him, and only Maggie that mattered to him now.He lifted his gaze
Just when Matthew thought that his world had come to an end, Arabella staggered into a halt. She turned around abruptly, her face drained of all colors as if she'd just seen a ghost. Before he could make out what made her so scared, she whispered frantically,"Matthew, that's my mother!"Matthew's gaze roved over the place and he immediately spotted Viscountess Winthrop across the lawn, strolling with her maid. "Come, quick!" He took hold of her arm and propelled her away from the place. She offered no resistance, stumbling after him across the lawn, past the entrance gate and onto the sidewalk. It must be his lucky day, because just then, a hackney conveniently passed by. Matthew hailed the vehicle and as soon as it pulled by, Matthew opened the door and Arabella jumped into it. "Go home. I'll come to you later and explain it all."And as Matthew watched the vehicle receding into the distance, he sent a big, huge thanks to Heaven for the timely intervention of fate.*****It wasn'
Dear readers. I apologize for the slow update. Been busy with work and chores, but I'm trying my best to keep writing. Hope you still find the story interesting enough to follow. Enjoy these new chapters."Is she awake?!!"Matthew's abrupt entrance into Arabella's chamber startled the housekeeper, who sat waiting on a chair that had been placed near the bedside. Standing abruptly, the middle-aged woman stepped aside to make space for him."She is alright, Sir. She woke up an hour ago, but she felt a little bit dizzy, and after taking the medication from the doctor, she fell asleep."Matthew reached the bedside in three long, quick strides. His heart clenched at the very sight of Arabella, lying asleep in the middle of the huge bed. Her ink black hair was a stark contrast to her small, pallid face. It seemed that in the last couple of weeks she'd lost some of her weight. Without him being able to stop it, a fierce protectiveness washed over him. He stood staring down at her, while comp
Her gaze remained on his face when she took the last step to close the distance. Matthew wore nothing beneath his banyan and she appeared to know it. Without the slightest bit of hesitation, she reached under the silk."No, don't..." Soft, cool fingers wrapped gently around his length and his words ended in a moan. He wanted to pull away, but his strength seemed to desert him. In an instant, his already half-hardened sex swelled between her fingers as they gave him a firm yet gentle stroke.In no time, a drop of his manly essence was pearled on his tip. With her thumb, she smeared the thick substance over his crown, then she brought her finger to her mouth to taste it. Matthew watched transfixed when her tongue darted out to lick her thumb, and the last shred of his resistance crumbled to dust. A groan of surrender ripped from his throat and he succumbed to temptation. He took her by the hips and lifted her tight against him, his tongue plunging deep into her mouth. Clinging onto him
To Marguerite's greater dismay, Jacob seemed completely unconcerned by her admonition. He met her furious gaze with an unwavering composure."Maybe I don't know much about you, but it doesn't take a genius to tell what you are feeling right now. You've been wandering aimlessly around and looking a bit lost."The truth of the honest remarks stung, and she used anger to mask her desperation."Now you're being flippant!" She snapped, but he remained unaffected."I'm not. I just think it's not right to hold back what needs to be said.""What makes you think that you have the right to meddle in my life?"This time the rebuke struck home. It took Jacob a few moments to break the momentary silence that followed."I'm sorry if I have presumed. I just hate to see you hurting. You must know, you deserve to be happy."It was just a simple apology, but Marguerite was struck by his earnestness. For whatever reasons, this man seemed to care about her, more than anyone else in her life. All this tim
Finally, Jacob came up with an acceptable solution. He asked for adjoining rooms for them. Marguerite's reluctance to stay there grew stronger as they followed the innkeeper climbing up the unlit, rickety stairs. They could barely see anything beyond a few steps ahead of them, for the only source of light was the small candle in the quiet man's hand. Marguerite felt her anxiety grow as they reached the second landing. The pitch black darkness made it impossible to make out the color of the walls or to see the end of the corridor. Marguerite forced herself to move forward. It took a great deal of self control not to run away from this hideous place. Finally the innkeeper stopped in front of a door and unlocked it. He preceded them into the room and lit some candles before entering the other room through the adjoining door. The man briefly showed them the adjoining bathroom inside both rooms then left them both in privacy."Not bad, isn't it?"Jacob cast a glance at the neatly made bed
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