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Chapter 8
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2022-04-14 17:48:32Offering his hand to help her to her feet, Matthew looked up at the darkening sky.
"Since it's beginning to get dark, we better take shelter."
She looked around and frowned.
"I don't see any tavern or inn around here."
For the umpteenth time in less than a day, he sighed.
"Even if there happens to be any, we won't be able to afford it."
"Then where are we going to sleep tonight?"
A few hours later, Matthew folded his arms behind the head and gazed up into the night sky. A short distance from him, Arabella had settled herself under a tree. She turned her back on him, and after long minutes, she seemed to be falling asleep. As the night crept by, his mind wandered off. Jeremy. She called the name in delirium. Did she go a thousand miles to see him? Again he experienced a bitter pang of jealousy. He must be a man of the same class, a suitable match for her... But if so, why'd she tr
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"What?" She turned her head to see."Don't look back! Keep going!"Matthew pushed her, urging her to move faster. He sneaked a glance at the watcher and saw the man hurrying toward the crowd, eyes fixed on them. Pushing their way through the throng, he followed her when she headed into an alley. Wrong turn, because the passage led to a deserted factory complex. Now they were alone and exposed, trapped in a dead end."Let's hide in the building!" Rushing to the nearest door, Arabella turned the rusty knob, but the door didn't open."Oh, no!" Arabella cried in panic."What do we do now?"Before Matthew could answer, they heard nearing footsteps coming their way."Come here!"Quickly he pulled her and they hid behind an old barrel. The footsteps came closer, now they could hear it loud and clear. Carefully Matthew
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"How rude!"Arabella sat up straight and glared at the peasant man, but before she could make a suitable reprimand, Matthew had already shushed her, urging her out of the vehicle. Sending them a black look, the farmer walked off and climbed back to his seat. Before he could spur the horses on, Arabella hurried across to stand in front of the cart."Wait, you can't leave us out here. We're in the middle of nowhere!"In a flash, Matthew stepped over the scene and pushed Arabella to the side."Please let us come with you, Sir. I will work in exchange for the ride."The farmer regarded him with a doubtful look, but he seemed to consider the idea."Please, Sir. I'm a good worker, I believe I can be of help.""I'm getting loads of timber in the next town. Do you think you can handle that?""Sure. I can do anything, Sir. You can count on me.""A
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His heart stilled for a second, only to begin racing. His mind whirled as a sudden burst of intense joy pervaded his entire being. It took nearly half a minute for him to recover from his daze and, just a moment before any stupid endearment slipped out of him, she pushed him away and whispered in a panicked voice."There's a man stalking me!"The words brought sudden realization of what actually happened, shattering all illusions of romance. It was a good thing she had snapped him out of his delusional thinking or he would have earned himself a good slap, and an eternal humiliation.Suddenly they heard distant voices coming from the passage outside and she pulled him down onto her mouth again. The voices grew louder, and he knew he had to stay alert, but it was hard to think of anything else, when her sweet, soft lips pressed against his.When the noise had faded in
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Squeezing her eyes shut, she put up her head and jutted out her chin in a defiant yet endearing gesture. She flinched at the first touch and her face twisted into a grimace of disgust but she held still, clenching her hands at her sides. After he'd done smearing the dirt across her face, he pulled away to see the result of his handiwork. She opened her eyes, her brows still furrowed with irritation."Now even the most dirty old goat will pass you by without a second look." He remarked with only a touch of satisfaction.She threw a scorching glare at him."You're happy to see me like this, aren't you?"He tensed up instantly, detecting a sign of danger."I don't relish doing this to you."She squinted her eyes."Truly? Because you seem to rather enjoy it.""Not at all. Look, I only try to help you here."She fell silent for a while as if c
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Her eyes dimmed a bit, and she averted her gaze."Not anymore. He is happily married, and now he and his wife are expecting their first child. I think the baby should have arrived by now."Arabella recalled the bittersweet message he wrote for her in a farewell letter smuggled in by a maid who was from the same town as he. He also told her to forget him and wished her love and happiness.A foolish joy, or something like that soared within him, and he felt both guilty and delighted at the same time. He tried to sound genuine when he muttered,"I'm sorry.""No, I'm fine. Really. It's over now.""Well, I'm sure one day you'll get married too and have children of your own.""I don't think so."Her face took on a serious expression."I will never get married. I don't want to be any man's possession. I want to
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They couldn't see the driver since the tall stacks of containers blocked their view of the front seat, as well as kept them hidden from the driver's sight.For a moment, her brows furrowed in concentration, and suddenly her expression brightened as if a brilliant idea had occurred to her."Listen, once this wagon stops, you jump off before the driver sees you. Then you pretend to come out of nowhere and ask for directions. While you distract him, I'll have the chance to jump off and run. It's actually quite easy, isn't it?"Matthew did little to conceal his skepticism,"I'm starting to regret this already."Her eyes grew wide and she sucked in an irritated breath."Alright! Do you have a better idea?"The sentence ended in a startled gasp and she reached out to clutch his lapel when the vehicle took an abrupt halt. They heard a soft thud as the driver hopped off the wagon.
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"Aunt Ginny!" Arabella whirled around and flew into the woman's embrace while Matthew stared speechless, astonished to find that Aunt Ginny was nothing like the bizarre eccentric he'd imagined her to be. Wearing her untamable hair loose unlike any other lady and clad in a low-neck gown that flattered her voluptuous body, from a fair distance, she looked only several years older than Arabella. In fact, she almost looked like a mature version of her."What a pleasant surprise." Aunt Ginny pulled away to look at her niece."How I miss you, Auntie." Arabella squeezed her tight once more."Me too, darling." Aunt Ginny stroked her hair. After endless seconds, Arabella reluctantly disentangled herself from her aunt, who immediately swerved her attention to Matthew. "Aunt Ginny, this is my friend, Matthew."Arabella came to stand beside him, putting a hand on his arm. Aunt Ginny's expression changed to something akin to disapproval, whether at Arabella's too friendly gesture, or Matthew's r
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Dear readers, I've been a bit distracted recently, sorry for the late update. Hopefully I can make it better next time. Matthew was still amazed with the favorable outcome when he retired to his chamber shortly after dinner. An hour ago, he wouldn't have expected that his luck would change over the course of one night. Suddenly he had somewhere to settle down, and a chance to turn over a new leaf. But the best part of it was not having to separate with Arabella. The prospect of seeing her everyday, staying close to her, filled him with utter delight. After putting his new shoes neatly in the corner near the door, he blew out the candle in the nightstand and threw his weary limbs upon the bed. He flipped over and buried his face in the pillows, breathing deeply in the fresh scent of soap. For someone who used to sleep on the hard, sometimes wet concrete in a shady nook, such simple joys like being able to sleep on a mattress and rest his head on a pillow felt heavenly. Lying on his st
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
