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Chapter 52: Transformation
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2022-06-03 11:41:11Related chapters
The Maidens (Crutoe Sisters) Chapter 53: Suitors and Dressmakers
"Mr Miller?" I asked as I approached him. What was he doing there?"Miss Crutoe." He said with a half grin. "Good morning to you.""Good morning. You're here? Did something happen with Bridget?" I panicked immediately, thinking of all the worse case scenarios."No, nothing of the sort. I only came to wish you a good morning and ask if you would like to accompany me to a party tomorrow night. The Earl is throwing a welcome party for me and my crew, I would love it if you could be my companion." A party? I didn't have a nice enough dress to wear and Lance had already seen me in the dress Bridget made for me."I'm not sure, Mr Miller...""Please call me Lance." He said, reaching to hold my hand gently. "Can I call you Alexa?""Yes, please. Lance, I'm sorry but I don't think I fit in in such gatherings.""Don't be silly, you're the perfect lady for such an occasion. I want to show everyone what an amazing woman you are. You're the first woman I've ever met who is quite skilled with a scis
Last Updated : 2022-06-23The Maidens (Crutoe Sisters) Chapter 54: Suitors and Dressmakers (B)
"A haircut?" I asked, looking stunned at him. It's not that I am shocked he wanted to look more presentable, it's because it came out so easily and boldly; I may have misjudged a lot about Christopher, the town's people may not even know anything about him."Yes.""Why? All of a sudden?" I forced myself to ask."It is not really sudden but..." He paused and turned to the ladies who were leaning closer to hear what he had to say. They both immediately pretended to be busy with other things. "Why don't I explain it to you on the way home?" He suggested and I nodded my approval. From what I've heard, Christopher was very private and didn't mingle with the people at all, but he still made it big as his farm produce was the best in the town and beyond. It was possible that changing his appearance may attract a lot more customers."What kind of dress would you like, miss Crutoe?" The taller woman asked. "A simple dress for your chores and errands, a casual dress for when you have to meet wi
Last Updated : 2022-07-05The Maidens (Crutoe Sisters) Chapter 55: Suitors and Dressmakers (C)
I walked briskly, hand in hand with Cecilia into her house, we both stopped dead in our tracks when we saw the changes, it looked we walked into a very different home.Cecilia left my side and ran around the house, gasping with each new room she entered. Being the guest I was, I made myself comfortable of the brand new sofa, admiring the miraculous transformation of Christopher's house."Do you like it?" My heart jolted when I heard his voice. Why did it? He just came out of his room with a chair and a small basket containing scissors and a few other items I couldn't very well see."It is lovely, very beautiful and most of all, it's neat." I looked him up, he was wearing light sleeping garments, already looking different even before losing the bush on his face... it was clean."The chair is for me to sit and the basket is for you." He said as he put down the chair in the middle of his living room. "Cecilia?!" He called but didn't get any response."Wait, you mean you want me to cut yo
Last Updated : 2022-07-11The Maidens (Crutoe Sisters) Chapter 56: Suitors and Dressmakers (D)
"Miss Crutoe, are you... crying?" He took my hand and helped me off the floor."No, I'm not.""Please don't lie, the moon is bright enough for me to see the tears. Did someone offend you and please do tell me if I hurt you just now, I was in a hurry to meet with the Earl.""I'm alright. Why are you here?""I just told you, I have to see the Earl. I don't think you are okay, I could sit with you...""Oh no! That really won't be necessary, I was on my way home and you just said you were in a hurry to speak with Earl.""He needs me more than I need him. But alright, I'll go meet him.""Yes, well...""You should stay, I'll be quick and then I'll walk you home. What do you say?" I really wanted to go home and bury my face in my pillow, but maybe talking to someone might make me feel better."Alright." He took my hand."Come on in, the party is still on." I didn't object as I followed him in. "I will be quick, I promise." He said one last time, before disappearing into the crowd.I didn't t
Last Updated : 2022-07-18The Maidens (Crutoe Sisters) Chapter 57: Sisters and Guests (A)
I walked home quietly.Christopher had offered to walk me home but Miss Jones - or was it Blair? - had given me the meanest look ever, so I turned him down flatly and walked home alone.Luckily for me, it was still the early hours of the evening and since it was winter, hardly you'd encounter the wrong people.I was upset.I didn't know why, but I just felt bad. Maybe it was because the night didn't go along as I planned at all. I couldn't tell if I was upset with Lance for thinking less of women or I was upset because Christopher kissed Blair's hand and not mine. Why? Because I was not a proper lady? Or because I wasn't good enough to be his bride.Oh Alexa! What was wrong with me? I couldn't get married and I knew that. I've had too much free thinking for one night, it was time to get back to reality.I walked home, humming my mother's lullaby for me. Yes, I still had to find her and start up my salon. So what if Lance didn't think I could do it? I had to prove him wrong.I had just
Last Updated : 2022-07-28The Maidens (Crutoe Sisters) Chapter 58: Sisters and Guests (B)
"Lance?" I closed the book and got off my sitting position, looking him up, not sure if I was seeing things. "What are you doing here?" He grinned and came closer."I was worried about you. After the party, the next morning I left for your house but your father told me you were here to see your sister." He looked around the living room. "I didn't know your sister is the Duchess of Arana.""She... She is." I turned to Arthur and whispered to him. "Can you please go see if your brothers are awake yet? I will continue the story later, I promise." He didn't look willing but he ran off to the nursery anyway."Please come have a sit." I said to Lance, waving over the available chairs. He took the sofa immediately, getting comfortable fast.I excused myself and went to get snacks for him from the kitchen.When I returned, he was examining the book I was reading to Arthur earlier."These are for you." I said to him, setting the snacks on a low table in front of him."Thank you. It's a little
Last Updated : 2022-07-29The Maidens (Crutoe Sisters) Chapter 59: Make A Promise
"Alexa?" I stilled at Gwen's voice."Why are you out of...?" "I know, I know. I'm going back right now, I've found something to keep me busy." Gwen said, cutting Julien off. I couldn't bring myself to look at her or even Julien. I kept my eyes down."Are you hurt?" I felt Gwen's hand on my arm and I turned then to her. She was smiling, not at all the expression I was expecting."No, I'm alright.""Don't worry, Alexa. That rascal won't bother you anymore." I nodded at Julien but I didn't look at him. Rather I went for the abandoned book and gave it to him, still looking down."You should finish reading this to Arthur while I sit with Gwen awhile." I pushed it into his hands and took Gwen's hand, leading her to her room. Then... only then could I breathe fine.I exhaled slowly."Alexa, are you attracted to Julien?" I choked on air, coughing and wheezing. "Oh my! Are you alright? I didn't mean to startle you. It's just that, earlier...""I'm not!" I said, finally catching my breath. "I
Last Updated : 2022-07-30The Maidens (Crutoe Sisters) Chapter 60: A Gift Worthy of You
I returned to Durnca shortly after. Gwen's condition got better and though she coughed from time to time, the doctor thought it was okay for her to leave her room again and stay around the children.I was happy to be back home and Pa was even happier to have me around again. Of course I didn't tell him what illness troubled Gwen, we decided to keep it from him not to worry him. Cecilia spent most of her time with me while Christopher was away at Blair's home, doing whatever it was he did there. Cecilia said she was glad not to have him around anymore but I knew she said that just so she wouldn't feel the hurt."I'm coming in." Cecilia announced as she came into the house. I was in the kitchen, cooking a new pot of soup for lunch when she came in."Your Papa is gone again?" I asked without leaving my task."Before I could even wake up. I wonder why she can't come to our house, I mean, it is clean now." Cecilia said bitterly from the breakfast table. I replaced the pot lid before leavi
Last Updated : 2022-07-30
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The Maidens (Crutoe Sisters) Chapter 79: Be Mine (B)
I was tormented by thoughts.It would have been easier if Julien left like that, but he just had to say those words to me, making me restless with tormenting thoughts. I had to wonder if I was doing the right thing by denying my love and refusing to be with Julien, I couldn't decide.I thought by the time Julien returned from his trip, I would be ready to get on with my life without worrying about my feelings; but now, I wondered if I should forget my worry and accept to be with him.Yes, he was Gwen's husband but now she's dead, I am in charge of the children as she wanted and now I'm really in love with Julien, also as she wanted.Did she somehow see the future? Did she know I would eventually fall in love with Julien and she gave me her permission beforehand? That sounded like something Gwen was capable of, she was always after my happiness. Why then was I still denying it and refusing to be with Julien? Maybe I needed some kind of reassurance that I was doing the right thing, or m
The Maidens (Crutoe Sisters) Chapter 78: Be Mine (A)
He looked surprised at me, unable to say a word."But I can't be because you are Gwen's husband.""Alexa...""I can't blame you or myself because it was bound to happen, Martha thought so too. The only way we can help the situation is to avoid each other and my feelings will naturally die.""Why is that the only way? Why can't we nurture it and let it bloom?" I stared at him, what was he saying? "I am no longer Gwen's husband, we all lost her but that doesn't mean we can't move on with our lives. It would be wrong if Gwen was still here, but she's not and to be honest, she did give us her blessing. So, why should we shy away from our emotions?" Was he talking about Gwen asking him to marry me? Has he really been thinking about that all these time? When he says 'ours', does he mean he feels the same way too? No, probably not."I can't... it's not right.""Alexa..." But I didn't listen, I left him there and went to my room.I spent the rest of the day thinking about Julien's words, Mart
The Maidens (Crutoe Sisters) Chapter 77: Stand-in Mother (B)
Arthur avoided me for the rest of the day, he always looked away when I was close to him and he walked away before I could say a word.He barely even touched his dinner and insisted that Julien tuck them in for the night. It really made me sad and uneasy.I had to wait in Julien's study for him to tuck the children in. We still had to talk about Cecilia and I had to thank him for finding her.I sat on the soft couch in his study and waited, lost in my thoughts, wondering how I could get Arthur to talk to me again. I couldn't let them call me mother, I just couldn't. No matter how much I...The door opened and I straightened. Julien looked a little surprised to see me there."I thought you went to bed." He said as he came in, shutting the door behind him."I wanted to talk to you first." He nodded and came over to sit next to me on the couch."What about?""About Cecilia... Thank you for finding her, I didn't know you were searching for her at all...""I have, ever since you told me sh
The Maidens (Crutoe Sisters) Chapter 76: Stand-in Mother (A)
"Did you see that?!" I nodded to Arthur's question, he was pointing at a spot where a hawk had swooped down to grab a prey which appeared to be a lizard."It was so fast!" He said, running to the spot and looking up as if he could still see the bird. I only smiled.Arthur seemed happier now, he could smile and play with his brothers again; he didn't cry in his sleep anymore. In fact, it's been two months since I've heard him mention his mother or cry for her.It's been seven months since Gwen's demise and I missed her so much, I was getting used to my everyday life with the children and Julien; our pretend family. I call it pretend because no matter how many functions I attended with them, being their stand-in mother, I was still Alexa and not Gwen. I could never fully be their mother, no matter how natural I was with them.Sometimes I would be lost in thought and wished Gwen could see her boys grow and it would bring tears to my eyes, but I would remind myself that no amount of cryin
The Maidens (Crutoe Sisters) Chapter 75: Farewells and Intruders (B)
It was morning and we had just said goodbye to Papa Benjamin and Papa Ramsey, now it was time to say goodbye to the dowager duchess, Frederick, Martha and their children.Arthur was upset, so he refused to say goodbye and stayed in bed. We couldn't force him, the child was hurt.Julien was carrying Eliott and the sleeping Eric was in my arms as we watched them get on the carriage, but then Martha suddenly came down and came to me."Can I speak to you briefly?""Of course." I followed her as she led me all the way to the library. "What is wrong?" I asked her when she finally stopped."I didn't want to say anything but I couldn't bring myself to leave without saying it.""Saying what?" She stared at me for a moment and I waited."Gwen loved you a lot, so much that I believe she loved you more than she loved the children.""That is not possible.""But it is. She always spoke so highly of you and when she got sick, she was always saying strange things that I couldn't understand.""Strange
The Maidens (Crutoe Sisters) Chapter 74:. Farewells and Intruders (A)
"What will you do now?" I was sitting at the garden alone when Pa Benjamin joined me, sitting next to me. Gwen and the baby were buried two days ago, but it did nothing to soothe the ache in my heart; it still didn't feel real to me. I keep expecting her to jump out behind me and tell me it was all a joke.The funeral was a big ceremony and even Robert and his wife had to come with their children, as well as Gwen's acquaintances and the entire population of Arana... after all, their Duchess just died.Papa Benjamin and Papa Ramsey came immediately we sent a letter to them. Of course, Papa Benjamin was furious that we hid the truth from him and he missed Gwen's last moments, but he managed to calm down after a while.Julien didn't know how to go about explaining the situation to Arthur, so I went with him. As expected, he child was devastated and he reminded me so much of Cecilia. I wasn't going to let him feel alone, not ever. I assured him that he still had Julien and I would be wit
The Maidens (Crutoe Sisters) Chapter 73: Tragedy (B)
I sat there, crying my heart out, not even minding the stares and whispers of the people around me.I couldn't move.The little pieces of my heart that was still in place just got shattered by Cecilia. How could she leave me? And worse, how could she join the bandits? Those murderous band of thieves? The thought of that little girl, going around, hurting and stealing from people made my heart ache. She was just so young, not even nine years yet."Alexa!" I heard Papa Benjamin call but I didn't move, I didn't even look up."Alexa, what are you doing on the ground? Did you find Cecilia?""She left." Was all I said. He reached for me and pulled me up."First get up. We can still find her, she mustn't have gotten far.""Pa, she didn't just leave. She joined the bandits.""She what?" I looked at him then. His eyes were wide in shock and he looked tired. But of course he was, Christopher left abruptly, Cecilia couldn't stop crying and now she has disappeared with strangers. "Joined the ban
The Maidens (Crutoe Sisters) Chapter 72: Tragedy (A)
Cecilia couldn't stop crying.As soon as Christopher got on his horse and rode away, Papa Benjamin must have seen him leave and sensed something was wrong because he came running out of his house to find Cecilia in my arms, crying.Of course he had a few words to say about Christopher after I explained what had happened, but the truth was that there was nothing any of us could do. Cecilia wasn't his real daughter, I was barely even his wife; he had no real bond in Durnca and now he has left for his real home.Fate had a way of giving me the worst all the time. I was barely above a toddler when my mother left me, my father just had to abandon me too and just when I was finally opening up my heart to love someone... he leaves me too.But I had to be strong, for the little girl that needed me.Yet, she wouldn't stop crying. Not even papa could distract her; she just hugged herself and cried even more.I sat by her bed, begging her to stop crying and eat something at least, but she wouldn
The Maidens (Crutoe Sisters) Chapter 71: Who is Gideon (B)
"That would be me." I turned sharply to Christopher."You? You are Gideon?" He came closer and took the letter from me."Yes.""I... I don't understand. You're Chris...""My real name is Gideon." I suddenly began laughing."You're jesting. You can't be Gideon and be Christopher at the same time." He didn't smile, his eyes were sad."I am Gideon Griffiths, from...""No..." I said, shaking my head."Alexa, you have to listen...""No...""I'm not really a Hallewell, Mr Hallewell only took me in and called me his son. I know where I'm from and I've always known I will go back one day, that is why I never wanted to get close to anyone.""No, it's not true." My heart ached and my throat felt on fire. This was much worse than an ex-lover coming back, he was part of a whole different world."Alexa, it's all thanks to you. If I hadn't met you, I probably wouldn't have finished my last test. Meeting you, changing the way I look, marrying you, that's what helped me pass and now I can go home.""
