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Ellie and the Secret Tour
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2021-02-13 04:38:37Ellie and Jasper waited until the last of the visitors had left the house before they did their tour. They started at the front door. Jasper held it open for her, and he sat on his heels, running his fingers over the blackened oak door.
"Look, here," he said, pulling her down with him. "When I was ten, I carved my initials into the door. My mum had a fit, and she made me boot black them out before my dad saw what I'd done. You can still feel them." Ellie ran her fingers over the door, tracing the J the A for his middle name Alexander and N for his surname."Boys and their penknives!""Ahh, actually more like Mary's vegetable knife, she was so cross. Terrified that I might have cut myself, it was a very sharp knife. Come on, let's see what other trouble I managed to get myself into."Ellie looked around the entrance hall, "Sliding down the bannister?""Yes, trouble is with a dogleg, even though it's quite big it was always a pain having to get off and get oRelated chapters
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Kylie was so happy that it was Tuesday, she had told Grant that she was taking Suki to her mum's and staying the night. He didn't seem to have a problem with that, although, "Why are you taking all that stuff?" he asked, looking at the large holdall."Oh its stuff Suki has grown out of, my mum says she has a friend who collects things for refugees. Besides it's filling all the drawers, best get rid of it."Grant grunted his assent. He went back to watching the traffic from the window. Kylie went back into the bedroom and grabbed a couple of tops and another pair of jeans. She shoved them into her holdall. Was there anything else that she should take? She looked around the bedroom, seeing the memories of the past eight months. She and Grant had such fun when they first moved in here, he'd painted the room for her, made it as lovely as he could for, and the baby. She had tried hard to be an excellent partner to him. Kylie cooked him his favourite meals, made sure she ironed
Last Updated : 2021-02-13The Disreputable Duke Richie Works Out.
Jasper put the final touches on Ellie's painting, stood back, took it in, and looked for things that needed more work. He hoped she would be pleased with what he had done; he certainly was. Jasper looked at his watch; she should have been back by now. He grinned to himself she was probably downstairs hiding from him. She knew what he wanted to do, and she had been avoiding him. Well, she could hide, and she could run; but he would get her delicious body in his bed sooner or later. He just adored teasing her and seeing the scowl on her face turn into a look of desperate longing.He ran downstairs to the kitchen, Betty and Edna were sorting the laundry out, Carly was ironing, they were listening to the radio, and all was peaceful. "Hey ladies, is it time for a cuppa?" he said, filling the kettle. "Is Ellie back yet?""We haven't seen her since this morning," Betty said."Oh she's probably lost in Selfridges shoe department or something, I'll call her. he made the
Last Updated : 2021-02-14The Disreputable Duke Almost Fired
Jasper stretched out in a reclining chair in Ellie's hospital room. He'd pulled it right up to her bed so that he could hold her hand. Gus had given her painkillers, and for the moment, she was sleeping."What are you going to do, Jasper?" asked Gus as he checked the IV drip going into her arm. "Do you want me to call the police?""I'm not sure what to do; this is such a mess. I don't want to subject Ellie to the press, but Thwaite needs sorting out." Jasper heaved a sigh and told Gus of the previous intervention that Tom Thwaite had tried."He needs to be stopped Jasp, look at her she's in a dreadful state. She's lucky that she hasn't sustained some permanent damage. If he's done this now; how do we know he hasn't done this before? How do we know he's not going to do this again?" Gus asked.The injuries Ellie sustained looked even worse in this light, and Jasper could hardly bear to look at her. Her beautiful face swollen and discoloured. Black spider leg
Last Updated : 2021-02-15The Disreputable Duke Jasper's New Relation
Ellie was asleep when her mum and dad arrived. They called Jasper, who went down to the main door to meet them. Jasper took them to a waiting room near Ellie so that he could talk to them without being in Ellie's hearing."I'm so sorry this has happened to Ellie, I can't believe that one of my friends or anyone could even contemplate this," Jasper explained about Tom and his ideas of why he, Jasper shouldn't marry Ellie.Bill grinned when Jasper told him about her throwing the tie back like a lasso, "She can be very fierce my little girl.""Yes she can and don't I know it." Jasper laughed. "From what I can work out what happened yesterday was a total fluke, we don't know yet if Tom Thwaite was following her or if he just saw her and then saw red. I think that is probably more like it. If he had been following her, other times would have been better for him to have done this rather than yesterday in Covent Garden. He took a huge chance.""Is her face terrible?" Ma
Last Updated : 2021-02-17The Disreputable Duke The Letter
Kylie sighed in relief when she arrived back at the flat. Her palms had been damp when she though that Grant may have seen her if he had been watching out of the window, and the last thing she wanted was to explain why she was getting out of the Duke of Shettleham's car.Oh, that would have been something, if Grant had seen that! She looked at her phone, nothing from Richie yet, still he was probably saving his millions, and that took concentration. Where was Grant, she could text him and find out?"Hi, I'm home, where are you?"Kylie put her phone on the windowsill. They had worked out when they first came to live here that there was better signal reception at that end of the room. She filled the kettle and began to clean the kitchen. Grant had not washed up after his burgers the night before,
Last Updated : 2021-02-17The Disreputable Duke The Text
Kylie still hadn't heard from either male in her life. She really couldn't care less about Grant, but it would be nice to know where he was. She wondered about texting Richie, but she didn't want to disturb him if he was still working. Suki was still napping, and Kylie made herself a sandwich and relaxed with a cup of coffee. Kylie's eyes were closing when there was a loud banging on the door. She jolted awake, almost spilling the rest of her coffee. Kylie began to grizzle as she went past the bedroom door and she would have picked her up, but the banging started again.She opened the door, about to tell whoever it was to keep it down. Instead, facing her at the door, two policemen and a policewoman."Kylie Wildgoose?""Yes, what's happened is someone hurt?" she asked, thinking they had come to tel
Last Updated : 2021-02-17The Disreputable Duke Whispering in Corners
Richie sat in his car across the road from the chip shop over which Kylie had her flat. He could see the window of the living room was open at the top. The net curtain was blowing in the breeze. He knew what was behind that curtain; the dull cream walls and drab brown carpet. She had done her best with what she had—the oblong coffee table with ring marks from long finished mugs of coffee. The square glass coasters sitting on it were Kylie's attempt at saving the rest of the table. He remembered that she had polished it at a recent time with lavender beeswax polish, the smell competing with old chip fat and damp walls.Richie pulled his phone out and stared at all the messages Kylie had sent him. Her happiness and excitement were so apparent in everything she had written to him. He had no idea why he had asked that stupid question. She had no idea about that fucking letter, and he was just a fuc
Last Updated : 2021-02-19The Disreputable Duke Pistols at Midday.
Ellie woke early; Jasper was flat out, on his stomach, his head turned towards her. She carefully got out of bed and went to the bathroom. Her face felt different this morning, not as swollen. Yesterday she had been too frightened to look in the mirror even when she had been in here before. She had avoided looking at her face; if both Gus and Jasper said she shouldn't look, then she would take them at her word. This morning though, she glanced up as she was washing her hands. Determined not to cry or make a noise that would wake Jasper, Ellie stared at her ravaged face. That was some bruise over her eye, and her cheek was still very swollen, but she could feel that it had gone down. By tomorrow, it would be yellow around the edges. Taking a breath, she needed more painkillers. Slipping her dressing gown on, she walked silently out of the bedroom.Ellie gave a contented sigh. It felt so typical to be putting the coffee on as usual; she sat in her little apartment. This time of d
Last Updated : 2021-02-21
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The Disreputable Duke Jasper's Present.
Charlotte ran hell for leather to her car. She threw open the door and threw her overnight bag, and dived into her vehicle after it. She clutched the steering wheel, her hands shaking, tears rolling down her face. What was she thinking? How could she even think of doing something like that? Was she out of her mind? The tears turned to laughter at how stupid she was, at how ridiculous that she could walk into Ellie's bedroom and somehow get her out of the room so she could do her harm. What a dreadful thing to even think of doing! Next time she would plan ahead, there would be no second chances for Ellie Neyve next time.Ellie looked at the clock, almost four-thirty. It was black outside. Jasper would be home in a few minutes, and she really couldn't be bothered to go and find Charlotte. Whatever it was could wait. If it was that important, she could go and find Francis and tell him. She put another log on the fire. It was so lovely to watch the fire, especia
The Disreputable Duke Murder On Her Mind
"Oh Ellie, you would get a migraine now," Marjorie groaned, "always gets them when she's stressed out,"Ellie began to breathe more easily once she was out of the dining room. "I'm sorry for spoiling lunch," she murmured into Jasper's shoulder."Shh, it's ok, why don't you go and rest? I can handle the children's party. I'll take your mother with me, and she can stand in for you," he half chuckled. He wanted to have a chat with Marjorie. He was getting a bit fed up with her always getting on at Ellie. His darling wife was doing her best, and this Christmas had been a shambles from start to finish, especially today. Ellie had put up with a lot today.Ellie clung to him, and she so wanted to tell him about the baby. She was desperate to see his face when he realised, and she sighed with frustration. They would exchange one gift this evening, something silly, she could tell him then, and then tomorrow they could say to the rest of them. It wasn't something
The Disreputable Duke Christmas Eve Lunch.
Marjorie Fox was cross. Ellie should have been here to greet them, and It was bad form, she thought as Francis took their cases up. She ignored Bill and Francis chatting about cars. She wanted to have a word with her daughter before Gareth and Gracie arrived."Marjorie, Bill, how lovely to see you. Merry Christmas," Rosslyn touched cheeks with them both as they entered the drawing-room. "Come and sit down and get warm. It's suddenly turned freezing today. I'm sure Francis will send tea soon.""Where's Ellie and Jasper? I thought they would be there to greet us." Marjorie sniffed as she sat next to the fire. Although this house was lovely, it was so frigid in the corridors."Yes, I'm sorry they are not here as planned," Rosslyn would protect Ellie. She wouldn't tell them about the lover's tiff because she knew Marjorie wouldn't let it drop. "They just had to run down to the village. I think Mary forgot something. She's getting on a bit and rather forgetful
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Just as she was settling down to her toast and tea, her phone rang. She didn't even have to look at it to know it was Jasper, and she carried on buttering her toast. She would ignore him for now.What the hell was a matter with her? Why wasn't Ellie answering her phone? Jasper pushed his hand through his hair. He would have to be careful how he handled this and managed to get back into his wife's good books. He would text her.'Hey, darling, where are you?'Jasper poured his coffee from the silver pot on the sideboard and took it back to the table. He'd just sat down when his mother came in. He stood up to greet her."Good morning darling," she said, "Did you sleep well?""Morning, yes, I sl
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"Ellie, for God's sake, Ellie, let me in!" Jasper banged on the bathroom door. "Come on, Ellie, it's not what you think!" Jasper waited for her reply, and he put his ear against the door listening for her response."I shouldn't have to think anything because you should be in bed in our bedroom and not with that slapper in her room!" Ellie yelled back."Please let me explain, Ellie." Jasper rested his forehead against the door. This was all he needed today, especially as they had just made friends again. If only he hadn't been desperate for a pee, this would never have happened. Charlotte had come out of her room at the same time in floods of tears. What the hell was he supposed to do? He couldn't just ignore her, could he? For Christ's sake, maybe he should have if this was the result!"Ellie sat on the loo, tearing tissue into tiny pieces. How could he, just how could he? She wanted to shout and scream at him, but she knew it wouldn't make any differenc
The Disreputable Duke Where's Jasper?
Before Jasper could reply, Francis jumped in. "Maybe you should introduce your new wife and duchess to your committee's. I think only the mayor was invited to the wedding, so making a special point of taking Ellie, it would be a treat for them, get them on your side too, I dare say." Francis smiled, "I'm sure even Mrs Troutbridge would get the idea that you are very happy newly-weds if you turned up together.""Oh, what a good idea, kill two birds with one stone." Rosslyn said meaningfully, "Now who wants pudding?"Ellie watched Lotte purse her lips together in annoyance. She would thank Francis later for his timely intervention."I'll help Mary with the clearing up," Ellie said as the rest of them went back up to the drawing-room with their coffee.Lottie looked cheerful at having Jasper to herself for a while, "Where are all the staff? I remember when there were lots of staff here.""We still have lots of staff, but they are allowed time off, espec
The Disreputable Duke Charlotte's Memories.
Charlotte Ganderton looked around. The family had modernised the kitchen since she had last been here when she was a child. Mary was stirring a casserole, Good God, why hadn't they pensioned her off? She must be getting on for eighty! Lottie remembered Mary from when she was a child. She remembered that nothing got past that woman. It seemed she had eyes in the back of her head.She had adored Jasper when she was a child, and he'd been her hero. They had raced their ponies through the grounds jumping over fallen tree trunks, and they had sat by the river in a bower of Queen Anne's Lace, pulling the flower heads off and throwing them in the river to race them and eating chocolate and planning their lives. She dreamed of marrying him and being his duchess. They would have two children, a boy and a girl, and they would live happily at the Manor, which was a far more impressive house than the Rectory whe
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"Ellie, come and get warm," Rosslyn said, getting up to greet her. She put her arms around her daughter in law and gave her a hug, "Goodness, you're frozen. Come and sit here next to the fire. Jasper, be love and make some more tea. I think Mary has gone for her afternoon nap, and Francis is sorting something out for me."Jasper glanced at Ellie. He knew she'd been crying. Why the hell did she think he didn't want her? She was the one who had disappeared from their bed, not him. He went down to the kitchen to make the tea and was determined to get this sorted out before bedtime.Jasper could hear the landline phone ringing just as he got to the drawing-room door with the tray of tea, and as he opened the door, he listened to his mother talking sympathetically."Of course you must come. You certainly can't stay in a frozen and darkened house over Christmas. No, of course, he won't mind. I'm sure he would love to see you." Rosslyn listened for a few moments. "
The Disreputable Duke An Unexpected Guest.
It was the day before Christmas Eve, and the past two weeks had been the worst of Ellie's life. She and Jasper had said only about a dozen words to each other since their friends had been to see them on that fateful afternoon. The only good thing about this dreadful performance was that Jasper was sleeping in his dressing room, which meant that she could at least get up and be sick if she felt like it without hiding it from him. However, Ellie was sure he would be more impressed if she were pregnant with a herd of elephants rather than with his child. He was furious that she had gone behind his back and sent that text to Ronnie, but this was her family, and she cared a great deal about Gareth.They had not shared a bed for almost two weeks, and this so hurt Ellie. It had only come about by accident, and now neither of them would give in to the other. They were just as stubborn as each other.
