LOGINShare
CHAPTER 3
Last Updated:
2021-07-07 19:51:09”Papa, it was so scary, Have you seen Abigail? She left with me but that stagecoach driver took her Papa. I thought I would die, the grass they dumped me was so itchy” Mary whined as she sat in her mother’s lap, her father sat across her, petting her hair
“Sorry, my darling. Do not worry about Abigail, she was in cohort with the driver, they have both been caught and are in the town Jail. You lie down here and worry about nothing, I will have the doctor bring the cream I imported from Italy last fall, it would soothe your skin” he turned to a maid, standing nearby
”Are you deaf? did you not hear my command, do you want me to say it one more time?” Nicholas Sanders thundered angrily. The maid scurried away in fear“Papa, keep your voice low, my head hurts” Mary croaked
Mrs. Sanders cast a hot glance at her husband, for which he waved apologetically, saying in a soft voice”Sorry, my princess.“Pointing at another maid,” Massage her feet” Mrs. sanders commanded, the maid immediately got to work on her knees, placing one of Mary’s legs on a stool and the other on her own thigh, applying several perfumes ointments on Mary’s spotless skin.She called another maid surrounding the room ” Carry her to the bed, she needs complete rest and she is not to lift a finger” Mrs. Sanders commanded, one could see the subtle smirk on the maid’s face
As if Mary ever did any work, not even to bathe herself.Soon Mary was tucked into bed, with roses and a thousand kisses, her father sat with her on the bed and her mother by his side“The soldiers have brought the report that Abigail has been found alongside that scoundrel Jeffrey, he would be hanged for sure. I will make sure of that. it will serve as a proper lesson for all the servants who think they can betray me” Nicholas declared
Mary said softly, letting her smooth hand rest on her Father’s rough ones “No papa, they wanted the carriage, tis made of gold after all and it would fetch him good money. I would be extra baggage and it would slow them down, if it were not for Commander Mike who came to my rescue, I would have been left for dead Papa” Mary shuddered just thinking about it, fresh goose pimples rose on her perfect skin
“Tis enough, talk no more, it is not good for your health, you should rest, I will take you to the doctor on the morrow so your mind will be rid of these horrid thoughts, I do not want anything affecting your mental health love” Mrs. Sanders babied, collecting a wet cloth from a maid and wiping the imaginary sweat from Mary’s forehead
“Commander Mike, you say? How come he mentioned it not? When I was called to come to get you?” Nicholas questioned, his interest piqued“You met him, Papa?” Mary sat up eagerly, ignoring her mother’s frown at her behavior a blush on her cheeks, giving off the glow of a young lady in love“Yes, I did, “he answered absentmindedly, his shrewd mind fast-tracking a distant thought that would help safeguard his business, this current situation could help him in the long run especially when the Stone family is concerned, he had been trying to connect the Sanders to that family for quite a long time for reasons best known to him.“I have no recollection of what happened at all, I only knew he was the one that saved me from that dreadful man, that man claimed I shun all the men of the society and walk proudly but Mama I did naught wrong, I am the daughter of Nicholas Sanders, the richest man in Western Creek and beyond am I to mingle with common men?, I did naught wrong right Mama?” she asked sweetly, expecting words of praise
“No my love, you can never do anything wrong, “ her mother soothed her hair “It is wrong of that man to seek vengeance for what is the rightful course of the society, I am only glad you are safe dear,” Mrs sanders smiled, glancing at her husband“Why are you quiet?” she asked curiously
“I hope tis not what I fear, “ Nicholas Sanders muttered to himself“What is it you fear? “ Mrs. Sanders asked alarmed, she grabbed her husband’s arm only to drop it so as not to panic her daughter who was watching them intently“Mary, you said the rogues force your cloth off you?”He asked thoughtfully
“Yes Papa” Mary answered shamefaced, her face red with embarrassment. She looked up timidly, eyes downcast” Why do you ask Papa, I do not wish any to know of it, especially not the maids, I do not want to be the boot of their gossip, it was so unpleasant papa, I thought I would die.” She cried as fat juicy tears fell off her face in torrents
“Why do you have to make her cry? You know she is going to be upset, must you torment our poor daughter so?” Mrs. Sanders shouted at her husband as she stood up to pacify the crying Mary who had dropped her tears into a whimper every now and then
“I did not mean to upset you Mary, but I need to know if Commander Mike saw you with no clothes on?”
Mary stopped crying immediately, her eyes swollen red from the momentarily cry, she answered gently” I think so Papa, I woke up in his clothes and he was the one that had shaken that monster of me”
“Then I ought to call him out” Nicholas smirked roughly, as he stood on his feet
“What are you saying Papa, Commander Mike had done naught wrong, he even saved me, we should thank him for that”“Yes, we will, my dear, we will. In the grandest way possible”
Excited, she asked,”and what way would that be Papa?” She had always been an admirer of the Commander but when he had gotten married to his childhood friend the soft-eyed Evangeline, she tried to stop her affection for him but it had been difficult for her maids brought news of his heroic deeds day after day. Western Creek was safe now because of his help, there was rarely any case of stealing or kidnapping, they would be found and rescued as was done with her. It was why her father had finally allowed her to ride the golden carriage in the first place.
She wondered what reward her father would give him.
“I would wed him to you” her father declared
Mary and her mother gasped with excietement,“But would he agree to take a second wife?” Mrs. Sanders asked“I will leave him no choice but to do what I ask; he is the only man worthy to have you. You are the most beautiful woman in this town, and he is the first man to have the honor of seeing my daughter naked, then he ought to do right by you. You are a very alluring one my dear, he must have done something to you while you were passed out, tis the way of men” Nicholas said
“But papa? It is said that Commander Mike really loves his wife, will he agree to marry me?” Mary asked sadly
“Then I will leave him with no other choice but to accept my proposal.” Nicholas Sanders smiled, he hailed a male servant standing coming into the room with a fresh bowl of neatly peeled tangerines for Mary
“ Get the carriage, Boy, I have a few old friends to visit and prepare sixteen golden and silver made carriages from the shops”“Thank you papa” Mary smiled, blushing into her pillow, the scented cushion welcomed her soft smile, leaning into her happiness
“Are you happy?” her mother questioned
“Yes I am mother, Commander Mike is a very fine man and I am glad to be his wife”
“Let us be hopeful he agrees, you know your father, he might go about this the wrong way, he is always so hasty and power-filled, He is no doubt looking for a way to gain more power, as it would look good on him to have a Commander as an in-law, I do not want him to push you into a marriage you do not want, I am very content with living with my gorgeous daughter” Mrs. Sanders signed, she knew the husband she married, there seems to be an old connection between the Stone and Sanders which he hoped to rekindle with the present generation, she was only afraid, he would go about it in the most erroneous way possible, as was his manner.“Yes, Mother, I do like him a lot, and I believe he likes me too, he would not have saved me after all, if he did not like me, he could have left me to die,” Mary said dreamily, thinking of mesmerizing blue eyes that smiled at her, and the strong arms that had swept her into his warmth.
Related chapters
THE RELUCTANT GROOM CHAPTER 4
Commander Mike was sitted in the Stone Mansion living room when he relayed the news of him marrying Mary to his mother, who expressed her fear“What nonsense? it is beyond my understanding how Nicholas Sanders would think I would marry his daughter. He is calling me out because I found her naked in the jungle, so I ought to be held responsible for having seen his daughter’s nakedness, he is using the military reputation to threaten me” Commander Mike smirked “ He wants to report me to the Generals for seeing his daughter’s nakedness. Mary Sanders is not even the sort I would marry, I do not like her at all, she is rarely out of her mother’s pouch, she is a good for nothing sissy that can hardly pick a needle by herself, she is useless. And I will never betray Evangeline, I love her too much for all this, how does he expect a soldier to marry that ninny he called a daughter” He snickered, as he faced his mother
Last Updated : 2021-07-07THE RELUCTANT GROOM CHAPTER 5
The alluring lacy material flowed tenderly across the marbled floor, the dress had been specially sewn for her from another country, though it had only been a short time, it seems her mother knew how to use their wealth to pull strings. The dress was a wonder, it was a low-cut dress, which accentuated Mary’s full breasts and made them threaten to spill out, she had pouted at this, but her mother had said it would be perfect to make Commander Mike fall for her, no man ever resisted a well-endowed woman like Mary, especially if it was laid out in front of themThe dress hugged her slim waist tightly, Her mother had often said her hips are a man’s undoing, the dress was made to seduce. She smiled as she thought of Commander Mike’s hands removing the gown from her body, she blushed at sexual thoughts. She was currently draped with a dull overhaul with which, the maids were powdering her face, so as not to stain the material, her mother stood nearby commanding them on what to do, Mary sa
Last Updated : 2021-07-07THE RELUCTANT GROOM CHAPTER 6
Smiling and waving at guests as he walked by, Nicholas Sanders kept up his fake modesty to the very hilt. He was raging within, his hope of making the Sanders family be intimate with the Stone family was his lifelong aim and he was not about to see it dashed away, he would achieve it by crook or nook.“Why isn’t he here yet?” Nicholas Sanders thundered at his fellow conspirator in the hall, he turned to face them“ You promised me, he would come, I paid you handsomely for this” he banged the wooden table in anger, the pain he got in return made him shout with rageCommander Cole barked back at him equally” Calm down, Nicholas, this is a soldier’s superior order we are talking about, he has to come or else he shall be stripped of his title and punished and it will involve his family, he knows that very well”“I do not care about that at all, all I know is that he ought to be here by now marryi
Last Updated : 2021-08-02THE RELUCTANT GROOM CHAPTER 7
Jared rode madly in pursuit of his brother, judging by the unconscious words of Alan, he knew his brother’s next line of action. He wondered what had gone wrong with the Commanders after he left, for a measly man such as Nicholas Sanders to think he can control them, Jared sneered, he would make it his last attempt Following his mother’s horse footprints she had gone the midwife way but a dark thought made him stop the horse suddenly, breaking its run Following the way of the Corrupt Commanders, they knew Mike all too well, then it clicked Evangeline would not be at the midwife, if she had been gone since morning, the Commanders would have her, and it would be the worst mistake of their life. Jared began riding hard this time, in the direction of Nicholas's grand hall, he hoped he would be in time to get Mike before his brother burnt down the place in order to rescue his wife. Evangeline was not one who could endure such harsh conditions for long, the girl had grown up with them aft
Last Updated : 2021-08-02THE RELUCTANT GROOM CHAPTER 8
“Do you Mary Sanders, take Michael Stone, as your lawfully wedded husband, to love and to honour, to cherish and to hold, for the rest of your life?” the vicar pronounced“Yes, I do” came the blushing reply, from a love-filled eyed Mary, as she stood at the Alter holding Jared’s hands it was surreal, she glared at Commander Mike under her veil, it was those same blue eyes, they were staring at her again, they held her captive, she had been so happy when she had been informed he had arrived. This was the happiest day of her life, she blushed at the thought of them spending a night together as man and wife.The Vicar turned to Jared “Do you Michael Stone, take Mary Sanders, as your lawfully wedded wife, to love and to protect, to cherish and to hold, for the rest of your life?”Jared stared with glistening annoyance at Mary in front of him; he really hoped for her sake that Evangeline was unharmed.Jared could feel
Last Updated : 2021-08-02THE RELUCTANT GROOM CHAPTER 9
Twirling about in her wedding dress, Mary was beyond happy, she blushed harder at the thought of Jared’s hands on her, she had been brought home from the hall by her mother. She was currently in her room which had been extensively decorated for her wedding night.The door to her room opened “Mother, mother” she jumped at the sight of her mother, she flew into her arms in joy“Thank you mother, it's a dream come through, I am a happy bride” she beamed, the light shining in her eyes,“Yes, my dear, My princess deserves the best, “ Her mother said looking into her Mary’s happy eyes“Mother, his touch felt like a caress, it was so feeling, I shivered all over my body, it was delicious. I could go on touching him forever” she gushed out in a rushHer mother smiled” I am glad you like it my dear. A wedding should be filled with happiness. Your wedding shall be the talk of the town for years
Last Updated : 2021-08-02THE RELUCTANT GROOM CHAPTER 10
Jared watched as the party guests all left the house one after the other, he had a grand plan up his sleeve, he would play himself as MiKe for a while, so he could get these guys in a bind. If such souls existed in the military, it was only a matter of time before their cankerworm spread to the recruits, then it was only a matter of time before trouble started brewing, the king would demand his head if he does not stop it in time.From what he had gathered, Commander Cole and Ortom had control of half of the town’s terrorists and miscreants combined. He wondered what Mike had been doing as they grew in power. A soldier should not be that soft, being soft could endanger the lives of the people that were put into his care to protect.If a man like Nicholas Sanders could control military biddings then nothing was safe anymore, not even Evangeline and that was one life he would never risk, she had been handed over to him to protect and to love.
Last Updated : 2021-08-02THE RELUCTANT GROOM CHAPTER 11
Jared watched wordlessly as Mary bid her family goodbye, she was all teary and hugging everyone, the blue dress she was wearing flowing majestically about her, she was smiling radiantly, the epitome of a woman thoroughly loved, he smirked, and he would soon freeze up her joy soon.He would make her pay for subjecting Evangeline to such torture at the hands of her father just to get her married, they were all a dangerous bunch.The whole family came to meet him where he stood patiently waiting for the part by the carriage Nicholas had sumptuously provided“It was nice having you Mike, I have my eyes on you” Nicholas warned subtly“not in front of the servants, Nicholas, “ Mrs. Sanders hissed at her husband, narrowing her eyes at himshe turned to face Jared, keeping on her fake modesty“Thank you so much Commander, please take care of Mary, she is our only daughter and child and we are putting so much faith in
Last Updated : 2021-08-03
Latest chapter
THE RELUCTANT GROOM TO THE FOREVER HAPPY ENDING
seven years Later The quiet atmosphere of the Stone Mansion in former years had gradually transformed to the bubbliest and lively household, Catherine noted as they all worked in the fields. They had all doubted Jared’s capability to be a farmer but he had proven himself over the years. He now supplied half of the town’s wheat feed. He was a meticulous farmer as he was a meticulous killer. No one bothered to steal his animals since the whole town and travellers all knew who Jared Stone was. Catherine stood up from the stool she had been sitting on, her back aching. Fieldwork was really not for her bones “Grandmother is tired” Jonas one of Evangeline’s twins cackled, pointing his small hands at his grandmother. His brother George soon joined in “Grandma won’t get a share of today’s earnings” She smiled, the scoundrels. They took after her son's behaviours, they were mischievous and utterly worrisome. No one had told them the dark days, it was by mere luck that the twins had surviv
THE RELUCTANT GROOM CHAPTER 42
Leaving his marriage for the women to organize might not be the smartest thing he had ever done. They made sure he performed every wedding ceremony in the history of Western Creek, prolonging the real wedding date. Jared was irritated to no end, the wedding did not irk him but what did irk him was his mother making Mary go back to her parent’s house. He was not allowed to see her till the formal wedding day.Which was driving him crazy, he had wanted to keep her close to him at all times but that was blocked by the women.Finally free from all hassle of their engagement, he escaped to the barn and began grooming the horses. His brother had mocked him saying farming does not look good on an ex-killer, but he would prove them wrong with the amount of wheat he would harvest from the fields. He had begun cultivating the land spread in front of the house. It was a large land since the Stone mansion was on the outskirts of the town. It was easy and trouble-free, he was
THE RELUCTANT GROOM CHAPTER 41
For the happy couple who held each other’s hands, they knew they had gotten their freedom handed out to them on a golden platter due to their reluctance to let each other go. For Princess Catriona she still could not believe she had lost the chance to be with the one man she desired, she gave Mary a disgusted look. She had never liked the daughter of Nicholas Sanders, She always behaved like some princess she wasn’t. The two acted like Princesses in their rights so they could not co-exist in the same place.Princess Catriona smiled slyly at the thought. There was no way Jared Stone can be able to give Mary the Princess life she sought or had been living. Maybe the king would accept her proposal. She knows her brother, he could never say no at the thought of bedding a beautiful woman especially one as alluring as Mary Sanders.She beamed wryly, she moved closer to the King and whispered,” You can use your authority to tear them apart, their marriage is
THE RELUCTANT GROOM CHAPTER 40
If anyone told Mike Stone, a journey could be so grievous and exhausting, he would not have believed. But Mary’s excitement at seeing her husband was really having a negative effect on him at the moment. She was just too hyperactive. The bumpy road did nothing to help his suffering, he only hoped he could deliver her to the palace before his control snapped.He groaned for the hundredth time as Mary questioned him for the hundredth time” Do you really think Jared would be happy to see me? I do not want him to be so cold to me. he rescued me from Ortom then he just disappeared, who does that? He could have stayed with me if he truly loved me. Do you think he cares? He is so hard to read and understand” she whined her beautiful face showing signs of glumnessJared Stone of course Mike thought in irritation. He would make his brother pay for this torture he was putting himself through to save his love. Jared had been so eager to go save
THE RELUCTANT GROOM CHAPTER 39
“I cannot and will not defend the actions of the late King, he was my father and I know him all too well. I was still a young prince then, Commander. What power did I have in court? I knew my father was a cruel man but there was no way I could stop him or challenge him. He was the king and powerful. At that time all I could think of was that when I because King, I would change everything and make everything right for the people. But where has that gotten me, new atrocities that he did come up every day even when it has been years ago. I should have opposed his actions a lot sooner than this, maybe the Kingdom would be more peaceful” He paused looking at Jared, “It took the King killing someone I love the most in the world for me to begin to fight his decisions. He had her poisoned, My mother…” He said sorrowfully“You still think I am involved in your father’s death. No, I am not, I heard from his Chief adviser at the time. The
THE RELUCTANT GROOM CHAPTER 38
The King’s palace was highly organized and had a vast number of soldiers protecting it in and out. The King’s Army was all around the palace. The palace was the special station of the King’s Army which further helped tighten the security of the King. All members of the King’s army were all present at the palace, they were specially trained and rigorously at that. When he had been assigned, he had to keep it away from his family. He never told his brother the truth, but he guessed Mike found out on his own. But Mike never said anything about it.The magnificent and mighty walls lining the King’s Palace had always given Jared a sense of pride and great confidence of being lucky to be a soldier of the King’s army, now he only felt trapped. Saluting other senior officers as they sat in the King’s Hall of attendance after a special meeting he had congratulated them on a job well done in clearing the town of miscreants… He had left w
THE RELUCTANT GROOM CHAPTER 37
Everyone sat about the Sanders Mansion with gloom written all over their faces after they had buried Nicholas Sanders in his home. Nicholas Sanders might not be well-liked by the townspeople but his last heroic act had come to the notice of the people and they all turned up in large amounts to mourn him. The burial had been a private one and quick one. The people around had only been invited to eat and take gifts home.Mrs Sanders was the most hit by her the loss of her husband, she had railed and wailed when she saw his lifeless body in the Stone Mansion. It had taken Mary and Catherine Stone to calm her down and explain the whole situation to her. She had gone mute ever since and had withdrawn from everyone so they all took turns to watch her every move. Mary sat with her mother in her room, consoling her. She loved her father a lot, She had been proud, being Mary Sanders but she guessed her mother missed him more, the way she was currently missing her husband a
THE RELUCTANT GROOM CHAPTER 36
Jared glared murderously at Ortom’s naked body displayed before him He wanted to tear his limbs apart. Mary ran to her husband, hurriedly putting what was left of her cloth back on. She held on to her husband, standing behind him. No words were said but Mary knew her saviour had come. She would be delusional for the minute and believe Jared Stone actually came to save her.Ortom sinister laugh brought the couple’s attention back to him, he stood up, flashing his bloodied wrist for them to see.Jared turned Mary to face him, her back to Ortom“You have to go now,” He said tenderly patting her hair, his anger growing as he surveyed the number of bruises on her skin, her wrists were bright red and the dried blood on them were beginning to peel off, she must have been badly injured“No, I will not leave you. You can’t make me do that. You need help with him. I can help you distract him. He is an evil man, he does not deserv
THE RELUCTANT GROOM CHAPTER 35
Jared knew he would never be able to forgive himself, if Mary got hurt from his recklessness, he should have killed Ortom when he first entered Western Creek.He always protected everyone else, he protected his brother, Evangeline he protected Western Creek, but never had he protected what was truly his, Mary was his and he had let her down.He had been unable to protect her father. And now she was in the hands of Ortom, who Jared knew, the monster won’t keep his hands to himself as Mary was within his reach.Ortom’s whereabouts was not a mystery to him as it was to Michael, He had once roamed the jungle so he knew all the places where hidden buildings lay. There was just one such upright building in Western Creek and it was a military fortress and easily accessible to Ortom and his goons. All other such fortresses in Western Creek were all in ruins.He had come across the building before on his many wandering. He had been greeted
