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Tangled Desires
Huling Na-update:
2025-04-15 15:40:36
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The Duchess's Desire Shadows behind the flame
"You’re unusually quiet tonight," the Duke said, his voice brushing against the silence like velvet against skin.Victoria stood by the tall window, arms folded, eyes lost in the smoky distance beyond the estate walls. The candlelight behind her flickered and danced on her ivory skin."Am I?" she replied flatly. "I suppose silence is safer now."The Duke took a step closer, his boots echoing on the marble floor. "Safer from me?"She turned around slowly, lips curled faintly. "Safer from everyone."Their gazes locked. There was heat there, thick enough to smother."Don’t pretend this hasn’t changed you," he said. "I’ve seen the way your hands tremble when no one’s watching. I’ve seen you drift away. You’re losing yourself to this war."Victoria exhaled, her voice bitter. "I already lost myself the moment James was thrown onto that porch like refuse. And you—” she paused, looking away, “You’re just another blade in the back I never saw coming."He flinched. "You still think I was involv
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-15The Duchess's Desire The Duchess of Silk and Shadows
The Sussex Ball was in full swing, with the grand ballroom of Windsor Manor alive with music, laughter, and the clinking of crystal glasses. The golden chandeliers cast their warm glow over the assembled nobility, creating the illusion of a perfect world-a world of wealth, refinement, and carefully crafted masks. At the center of it all stood Lady Victoria Windsor, Duchess of Sussex, adorned in an emerald silk gown that clung to her slender waist before cascading to the floor in shimmering waves. Diamonds sparkled at her neck and ears, but it was her sharp hazel eyes and confident smile that held the true power. She was untouchable, unshakable-at least on the surface. Beside her, Lady Catherine Markham, her dearest friend and confidante, sipped from a glass of champagne, her sapphire gown scandalously low-cut. Her auburn hair glowed like fire under the candlelight, and her sharp tongue was as quick as ever. "Victoria, my darling," Catherine drawled, her lips curving into a knowing
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-12The Duchess's Desire Whispers behind velvet curtains
The drawing room of Windsor Manor was aglow with the warm light of an early afternoon sun filtering through lace-draped windows. Ornate golden frames housed oil paintings of stern-faced ancestors who seemed to disapprove of every hushed conversation and sidelong glance exchanged in the grand house. A clock ticked methodically from the marble mantelpiece, filling the room with its faint, incessant rhythm. Lady Victoria Windsor, Duchess of Sussex, sat poised on a velvet settee, her emerald silk day dress flowing elegantly around her. In one hand, she held a porcelain teacup, though the tea had long gone cold. Across from her, Lady Catherine Markham reclined casually, her sapphire dress a perfect contrast to the gilded upholstery. "So," Catherine said, setting down her own cup with a faint clink. "Are we going to address the rather intriguing figure of James Parker*loitering in shadowed corners, or are we going to pretend your little midnight rendezvous on the balcony never happened?"
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-12The Duchess's Desire A fire in the dark
The servants had long since retired, and the grand halls of Windsor Manor were cloaked in shadows, lit only by the faint flicker of wall sconces. Victoria Windsor paced her private sitting room, her bare feet soundless against the plush rug. Her emerald silk dressing gown clung to her figure, its deep neckline daring even in the privacy of her chambers. The air was heavy with the scent of lavender and the faint trace of wine from dinner earlier that evening.A knock on the door broke the silence.She froze, her heart quickening. It was past midnight-no one should be visiting her at this hour. Crossing the room, she hesitated before opening the door just wide enough to see who had disturbed her solitude.James Parker stood on the other side, his dark hair slightly disheveled, his gray eyes calm but unreadable. He was still dressed in his simple servant's attire, though his cravat was loosened, giving him an air of quiet defiance."Mr. Parker," she said, her voice steady despite the sud
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-12The Duchess's Desire Tangled Lies
The first light of dawn crept into Windsor Manor, casting golden streaks across the ornate tapestries that adorned the walls. Victoria stirred awake on the chaise in her private sitting room. The soft embers of the dying fire crackled faintly in the hearth. She blinked, the events of the night before rushing back to her in vivid detail-James's hands on her, the taste of his kiss, the fire that had consumed them both.She turned her head, expecting to see him still there, but the room was empty. Her silk dressing gown clung to her skin, wrinkled and slightly askew. She rose slowly, her heart a whirlwind of emotions-desire, guilt, and something dangerously close to regret.A soft knock at the door startled her. She rushed to adjust her gown, smoothing her hair before calling out, "Enter."Lady Catherine Markham stepped inside, her sharp blue eyes taking in the scene with unsettling precision. "You look positively ravaged, my dear," she remarked, closing the door behind her.Victoria for
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-12The Duchess's Desire The Price of Desire
The ballroom of Windsor Manor glittered with opulence, a dazzling display of wealth and status. Chandeliers dripped with crystals, and golden candelabras cast flickering light across the sea of silks and velvets. The air buzzed with polite conversation, the occasional ripple of laughter, and the clink of champagne flutes. Yet, beneath the glittering façade, tension brewed.Victoria Windsor stood at the edge of the room, her emerald gown perfectly tailored, her diamond necklace a testament to her station. She was every inch the Duchess of Sussex, untouchable and untarnished. But she could feel the weight of eyes on her-watching, waiting, judging.James was among the footmen lining the walls, his gray eyes lingering on her longer than propriety allowed. It was a dangerous game, one that had already spiraled too far out of control. Victoria felt the heat of his gaze, and her pulse quickened, a reminder of the fire they had ignited in each other just nights before."Victoria."She turned
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-12The Duchess's Desire Shadows of betrayal
The silence in the room was deafening, broken only by the shallow, uneven breathing of its occupants. Victoria stood frozen in place, her gaze darting between Thomas's livid face and James, whose fists clenched at his sides. The atmosphere was thick with tension, a storm waiting to break. "Explain yourself, Victoria," Thomas demanded, his voice low but trembling with fury. "I'll give you one chance. What is the meaning of this?" "Thomas, it's not what it looks like," she started, her voice weak, unsure. "Then what *is* it?" he snapped, stepping closer, his towering frame casting a long shadow over her. "I walk in to find my wife alone in her chambers with a *servant*, and you expect me to believe it's innocent?" James took a step forward, his expression defiant. "Your Grace, with all due respect, this isn't-" "Do not speak!" Thomas barked, cutting him off. His glare was icy, and his hand twitched at his side, as if restraining himself from further action. "Thomas, please," Victo
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-12The Duchess's Desire The Duke of Marlborough
The ballroom was still alive with murmurs and stolen glances as Lady Victoria stepped onto the terrace, her pulse hammering beneath her corset. The cool night air did nothing to soothe the fire raging within her. She could still feel the Duke of Marlborough’s touch lingering on her skin, his voice curling around her like silk.Behind her, the heavy drapes shifted, and a shadow emerged.“You left rather abruptly, Your Grace,” the Duke’s voice drawled, thick with amusement.Victoria spun to face him, her mask of composure slipping into place. “Is that a complaint, Your Grace?”His lips curved into a slow, knowing smile. “An observation.”She turned her gaze toward the moonlit gardens. “I found the air inside… stifling.”The Duke stepped closer, the scent of expensive cologne and something distinctly male enveloping her senses. “Or perhaps,” he murmured, “you found our conversation a little too stimulating?”Her breath hitched, but she refused to let him see the effect he had on her. “Yo
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-13
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The Duchess's Desire Shadows behind the flame
"You’re unusually quiet tonight," the Duke said, his voice brushing against the silence like velvet against skin.Victoria stood by the tall window, arms folded, eyes lost in the smoky distance beyond the estate walls. The candlelight behind her flickered and danced on her ivory skin."Am I?" she replied flatly. "I suppose silence is safer now."The Duke took a step closer, his boots echoing on the marble floor. "Safer from me?"She turned around slowly, lips curled faintly. "Safer from everyone."Their gazes locked. There was heat there, thick enough to smother."Don’t pretend this hasn’t changed you," he said. "I’ve seen the way your hands tremble when no one’s watching. I’ve seen you drift away. You’re losing yourself to this war."Victoria exhaled, her voice bitter. "I already lost myself the moment James was thrown onto that porch like refuse. And you—” she paused, looking away, “You’re just another blade in the back I never saw coming."He flinched. "You still think I was involv
The Duchess's Desire Tangled Desires
The rain pattered gently on the manor roof, casting a somber rhythm across the candlelit drawing room where Victoria sat curled on a velvet chaise, her fingers trembling around a porcelain cup. The fire crackled, offering no comfort."He's late," she whispered."He's careful," came a new voice.Startled, Victoria turned. A stranger stood in the doorway, soaked from the storm, a scar etched across his jaw, and eyes like cold slate. He pulled off his gloves slowly, not breaking eye contact."Who are you?" Victoria asked, standing abruptly."Name's Lucien St. James. The Duke’s new business partner. Or at least, I was invited under that pretense.""The Duke mentioned no such thing.""He wouldn’t. But here I am."Before she could press further, the door behind Lucien opened again. The Duke entered, pausing at the sight of them."I see you've met," he said, closing the door behind him.Victoria narrowed her eyes. "What's going on?"Lucien smiled dryly. "Ask your Duke."The Duke strode in, r
The Duchess's Desire A New Threat
The soft murmurs of conversation drifted through the heavy curtains as the morning sun peeked through the narrow cracks in the window. Victoria had barely slept, her mind racing with the aftermath of the choice she had made. The echoes of Elena’s words still reverberated in her mind, but it was something else that tugged at her—a feeling, a presence, lurking just beyond her reach.She sat by the window, the cool morning breeze brushing against her skin, but her mind was elsewhere. The Duke’s stern expression haunted her. He had been right to question her decision, but now it was too late. She had made her choice.The door to the room creaked open, and Victoria’s thoughts were broken by the sound. She turned slowly, her eyes meeting those of a new face—an unfamiliar man dressed in dark clothing, his posture rigid, his expression calculating."Lady Victoria," he said, bowing slightly. His voice was deep, but there was an unsettling sharpness to it, like he was assessing every inch of he
The Duchess's Desire The Deal
The door creaked open, and the tension in the room thickened. Victoria’s eyes darted to Elena, who wore a slight smile, as if the arrival of whoever was outside was no surprise.Victoria’s pulse quickened. The footsteps were heavy, deliberate—someone important, someone dangerous. And the way Elena stood there, completely at ease, told Victoria that whatever was coming wasn’t something she could stop.The door swung fully open, revealing a man Victoria had never seen before. His broad shoulders and cold, calculating eyes told her everything she needed to know: he wasn’t here to make friends."Ah, there you are," Elena said smoothly, her voice calm, almost playful. "You’ve made it just in time."The man stepped into the room, his gaze immediately locking with Victoria’s. She could feel the weight of his stare, cold, assessing, like he was mentally stripping her bare."This is Viktor," Elena said, her tone casual. "He’s my... associate. He’s here to help us take care of things."Victoria
The Duchess's Desire The Unseen Hand
The door slammed shut with a resounding thud, startling Victoria and the Duke. They both turned, their bodies tense, as a woman entered the room, her presence undeniable. There, standing in the threshold, was Isabella’s sister, Elena Deveaurux.Victoria’s breath hitched as she took in the sight of her. Elena was everything Isabella wasn’t: composed, calm, with a quiet power that emanated from her like a shroud. Her dark eyes flickered over the room, assessing the situation with a sharpness that made Victoria uneasy. She was dressed in a simple black dress, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders in soft waves. But the coldness in her gaze was unmistakable."Elena," Isabella said, her voice laced with surprise but also something more—something that could almost be described as reluctance. "What are you doing here?"Elena didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she let her gaze linger on Victoria, studying her with a careful look. Then, she spoke, her voice low and measured. "I came to
The Duchess's Desire Shifting Alliances
Victoria stood by the window, her hands gripping the cold ledge as she gazed out at the sprawling estate. The wind outside had begun to pick up, rustling the trees in the distance, as though echoing the storm inside her mind. Every passing day seemed to pull her further into a web of deceit, betrayal, and calculated moves. Every move, every decision felt like it could lead her closer to her end or to the redemption she longed for.She turned as she heard footsteps behind her. The Duke entered the room, his face grim, the tension in his posture palpable. She could tell something was wrong. The faint echo of the door closing behind him seemed to seal them in, alone with whatever new chaos was about to unfold."Victoria," he said softly, his voice carrying a weight she hadn’t expected. "We have a problem."Her stomach twisted with anticipation. A problem. She was used to that word by now, but she didn’t expect him to say it with such concern. "What is it?" she asked, trying to keep her v
The Duchess's Desire A Game of Shadows
Victoria stood before the window, staring out at the darkness that had settled over the estate. The soft glow of candlelight flickered in the corners of the room, casting shadows that seemed to stretch like fingers across the walls. Her mind was heavy, weighed down by the constant tension that had been building over the past few days. Lord Thomas’s threats still echoed in her ears, the words haunting her even when she tried to shut them out. "You’ll regret this, Victoria," he had said, his voice laced with venom. "You’ll regret ever crossing me."She had tried to push the fear aside, but it clung to her like a second skin, impossible to shake. What did he mean by his final card? What did he have left to play?The Duke’s presence in the room brought a welcome distraction. His footsteps were soft, measured, but his energy was a stark contrast to the quiet dread that enveloped her. She turned, meeting his gaze as he entered. His eyes, usually so calm and steady, were shadowed with someth
The Duchess's Desire The Devil's Bargain
Victoria's heart raced in her chest, every instinct screaming at her to flee, to run from the man who had once been her husband. Lord Thomas stood before them, his eyes dark and full of malice, his posture stiff with anger. For a brief, fleeting moment, she wondered if she had truly underestimated him."Lord Thomas," she said again, her voice trembling only slightly, though she wasn’t sure whether it was from fear or the cold fury that boiled in her veins. She stepped forward, trying to make sense of the situation. "What is it you want now?"Lord Thomas gave a humorless chuckle, the sound devoid of any warmth. He turned to face her completely, his eyes piercing through her as if searching for something she couldn’t even name. His smile, twisted and sinister, sent a shiver down her spine. "I want what’s mine, Victoria," he spat, his voice venomous.The Duke, who had stepped beside her, his jaw clenched tightly, moved slightly in front of her, as if shielding her from Lord Thomas’s gaze
The Duchess's Desire The tides of betrayal
Victoria's breath caught in her throat as Lord Thomas’s words hung in the air, heavy with the threat they carried. She could see the anger simmering in his eyes, the barely contained fury that made the tension in the room unbearable. Her gaze flicked to the Duke, searching for any hint of what he might be thinking, but his expression remained inscrutable, like a stone wall."I don’t know what you think you’ve discovered, Thomas," the Duke said, his voice calm, but there was an edge to it that Victoria had never heard before. "But if this is about my dealings with Victoria, you’re mistaken. Whatever it is you think is happening, you're wrong."Lord Thomas let out a soft, humorless laugh, his eyes narrowing as he took a step closer to the Duke. "I don’t think, Duke. I know." He paused, his gaze sweeping over Victoria before locking with the Duke’s. "You’ve been playing a dangerous game. And it’s time to end it."Victoria’s heart pounded in her chest as she tried to process the situation
