Caroline was in her room, sitting on a chair and in front of the dressing table mirror as she admired her flawless features. She reached up swiftly to pull out the jewelled comb and countless hairpins keeping her coiffure firmly in place. Slowly she picked up a tortoiseshell-backed hairbrush and began to draw it gently through the long black curls." Caroline, you can bring any man to his knees with your beauty. " She giggled in her thoughts.Her moment was soon to be distracted as a young lady with curly brown hair quickly entered the room. " My Lady, "Caroline frowned at the sudden interruption and was about to give her a lashing, but seeing the expression on her face she knew something was wrong and she was here to gossip about it to her." What is it? " She asked." You wouldn't believe what I just saw! I saw Katherine in the kitchen. " The young woman said, making Caroline frown, but after a while she started to laugh. Was this some kind of joke?" A woman of Katherine's social
" Denham Manor? And who is Carissa? " " Carissa Denham is betrothed to the prince. She would soon become a princess. " Abigail told Amelia.The following day.Amelia and Abigail were on their way to Denham Manor.Her green eyes looked outside the window, seeing the trees pass one after another as four horses pulled the carriage through the forest. Her tongue peeked out to wet her lips that had turned dry. The air blew against her face. " It is a very different city from the one I'd seen when I just moved into Denham Manor. " She said to Abigail, who was sitting next to her in the carriage." I wonder what the city would be like in the future. " Abigail whispered." Old, quiet and secluded. That is how this city would be like in the future. " Amelia stated. " How come you look so young but know too much? " Something about Abigail conjured thoughts of sorcery and old magic. She seemed to know too much.Abigail smiled. " My great grandmother was a witch, so was my grandmother, and then
" J…Jacob" She thought.He had the same eyes as Jacob. His black hair was partitioned at the side and neatly combed. " My apologies for not looking ahead. " The man apologised in a deep voice, and Amelia stared at him. He looked so much like Jacob.Not wanting to make a fool of herself, she quickly composed herself and said. " I should have been careful. I thought I was the only one up here because I didn't see anyone. " She apologized.But then it wasn't just her who was staring. When her eyes fell back on his hands that had not let go of her, the man seemed to realize, and he quickly let go of her arms as if he had touched a burning iron. Was he disturbed by her?When he started walking, Amelia couldn't help herself but step as if she was giving him space, when in truth, the passage was wide enough to let more than five people pass at a time. The man disappeared without uttering another word. Amelia continued looking at where he had disappeared to.Whilst she was on the same floor
The rain was still falling. " George Denham. " Amelia stated. She didn't look surprised when Abigail told her because she already had a suspicion. No wonder Simon said those things. She could still remember his words after she had introduced herself. *If you are his wife, he couldn't have allowed you to come here* It was obvious that Dane didn't like the Denham family because of George's affair with his mother. " Yes. The Denhams are bound to cheat on their partners or have secret affairs. It runs in their blood. From generation to generation. " Abigail continued. Amelia gasped. It's just like a curse. So Jacob was bound to cheat on her even without her losing the baby. Losing the baby was just an excuse he used to justify his wrongdoing. He was following in his ancestor's footsteps. History was just repeating itself. The next morning. As soon as Amelia stepped out of her room, she noticed some movement to her right, and her gaze fell on a maid. She was just exiting Dane's apar
Amelia regretted the water incident once she was back in her chamber.The following day." I haven't been able to get another flashback of Katherine's memory ever since we went to the kitchen. " Amelia confessed.Abigail hummed, thoughtfully. "I believe that meeting the same people who were present at the same place and time as Duchess Katherine is the only method of getting Katherine's memories."Amelia smiled a little. "You're right. If I could get to the lake, I could find out what happened on the night Katherine died.""Indeed." Abigail agreed.Amelia went mute for a few seconds then announced. "I'm going tonight."A few hours later.Amelia got into her nightgown, a pale pink antron nightgown, and went out of the castle towards the lake.The moonlight shone down on the lake, reflecting off the surface and lighting everything up, making it so magical. So this was where Duchess Katherine's dead body was found by the guards. Amelia stood at the edge of the lake and watched the water
Dane dropped her on the bed and was just about to take his leave. Tears sprang to her eyes and she sat up, reaching out impulsively to him. "Stay with me, please…" He looked at her in surprise. " I don't have any time for this. I must go now. " He said and left. Amelia lowered her eyes for a moment. She didn't know why she was feeling like this. Abigail might have promised her of a life filled with romance but none of it was happening. What if she couldn't pull this off? Should she seduce Dane? Why was she suddenly feeling like this? She'd only fantasised about playing the seductress, a fantasy she played out in the quiet frustration of the hours when Jacob slept next to her. Was she actually able to put her top-secret thoughts into action? Could she go through those doors now and use virtually untested erotic tricks successfully upon a man like Duke Dane Barnard? Would he reject her like now? It is better to try than not trying. Her dwindling courage began to ebb away fast, but t
Dawn lightened the sky, and the room was cosy.Amelia's eyes flew open. For a moment she didn't know where she was, but then the memory returned. Dane. She finally had sex with him.Smiling, she could only lie there. Then she glanced through the dawn shining palely through the open window. She could vividly remember his touch, his kisses and also…the sex!!She gave a rueful smile when she turned to see the other side of the bed empty. A lover like Duke Dane Barnard was what every red-blooded girl wanted.The squeal of a horse sounded outside, and curiosity got the better of her, so she got up to see who it was. Dane just galloped out of the gate and to the village. Where was he going so early in the morning?At the front was the view from the village, showing how the battlements and towers rose above the surrounding trees and rooftops. The streets were narrow and cobbled, sometimes with buildings right in the middle of the carriageway, and the shops had bow windows. She could see the
The more Amelia stared at William, the more uneasy she felt. He was definitely Dane's enemy, and instinct told her he posed a threat of some sort. In what way though? Dane smiled regretfully. "I'm afraid I have urgent estate matters to attend to. "This man was a real threat of some kind! A keen sixth sense told her to be on guard. She felt he had done something to harm Katherine before. "I…I hope you won't mind if I stay while you talk?""Stay? But you won't be remotely interested in what we discuss. You'll get bored.""Well, I'm quite interested."He shrugged. "As you wish. Let's go to my study." He said to them and together they went up the staircase.William couldn't help but notice some slight changes in Dane's attitude towards Katherine. He seemed to have grown fond of her. That wasn't a good sign for him and Caroline. It would only spoil their plan if eventually Dane starts to love his wife. How come she survived in the water? He was shocked to hear the news of Katherine rega
As Dane and Amelia enjoyed a moment of intimacy in the oak grove, their worries seemed to melt away. However, their peaceful interlude was abruptly interrupted by the unexpected arrival of Henry. He stumbled upon them, shock registering on his face as he witnessed Amelia in the grove.His heart ached as he watched them share a kiss, knowing that he had developed feelings for Katherine that he couldn't act upon, and she was married to his halfbrother. It was an abomination for him to have any feelings for her. Although it still hurts seeing them together, happy.Clearing his throat, Henry approached them. Amelia's panic was palpable; she knew that Henry had seen her on the duelling ground, a place forbidden to women. Dane, on the other hand, remained composed."Thank you for today, brother. I appreciate it," Dane said, acknowledging Henry's presence with a nod of gratitude.Henry smiled, though there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. "I'm surprised to see you here, your grace," he sai
Amelia's heart pounded as she walked through the woods, following the hoofprints and trying to locate the oak grove. She had reached the edge of the clearing and could see Dane's back to Simon and the crowd watching them in anticipation. Her breath caught as the moment she had feared and hoped for unfolded before her eyes. It was as though time had slowed down.She had never witnessed a duel before. She'd read of them in books but watching one live was a feeling she couldn't explain and to add that the man she loves, Duke Dane was partaking in the duel.As the gunshot echoed through the woods, Amelia straightened with a dismayed gasp, watching Simon fall to the ground, bleeding. The world around her seemed to blur for a moment as the reality of the situation sank in."You killed him! Murderer!" William yelled at Dane, his voice echoing with accusation as Henry rushed to Simon's side. It had happened! Simon Denham has been killed.Amelia's voice remained trapped in her throat as she w
Amelia awoke to the soft, early-morning light that filtered through the curtains of her chambers. As she blinked away the remnants of sleep, her gaze fell upon a familiar figure at her bedside.There, standing watchful and vigilant, was Abigail, her ever-loyal maid. Amelia's heart warmed at the sight of the devoted servant who had become more than just an attendant; she had become a trusted confidante in this labyrinthine journey.Amelia's voice, tinged with sleep and concern, broke the silence that enveloped the room. "Abigail, what time is it?" she inquired, her eyes searching Abigail's face for any signs of urgency.Abigail, her expression a mixture of reassurance and trepidation, responded softly, "It is dawn, your grace. I've been here, watching over you as you slept soundly."Amelia's curiosity was piqued, and she couldn't help but wonder about the reason for Abigail's unwavering vigil. With a gentle smile, she probed further, "Where is Dane?"Her question hung in the air, laden
Behind the shelf, Amelia still did not move. He was approaching her slowly but stopped as if he had heard something. The sound of someone walking towards the room.He took one last glance at the shelf Amelia was hiding behind before climbing silently out of the window again.The door to the study opened and Dane came in. His face was dull as he walked towards the window and closed it.He had never felt so fooled in his life before. How dare Caroline!All this time she had been poisoning his mind with lies upon lies and he was such a fool to let her deceive him.And to even think that she was carrying William's child. Amelia remained in her hiding spot as she watched Dane. The shadow and pallor of his face was evident not only of a sleepless night but the torture of knowing he was fooled into misunderstanding his beloved wife."Who is there? Katherine?" Dane raised a brow as he sensed her presence.He had caught a whiff of her scent the moment he entered the room. What was she doing
Dane held her eyes. "Are you certain that you don't remember who did this to you?" Amelia remained quiet for a while. "I remember. It was Caroline. She pushed me." She said it gently. His face darkened. "Are you certain she is the one, or do you just want to accuse her because she is my mistress?" Amelia gasped, staring at Dane in disbelief. She couldn't believe that Dane could even think of her that way. "Are you insinuating that I'm lying?" She blinked back the tears that threatened to fall from her eyes. "Why would I lie for such a thing?" Dane studied her. "Can you prove it was her?" "Yes. I just need to talk to her." Amelia nodded. Dane didn't say anything else. *** Caroline was standing in her bedchamber in a dainty yellow-striped muslin gown; her hands were visibly shaking. Her face went pale as she saw Amelia at the doorstep. "You!" "Yes, me." Amelia closed the door and confronted her. "How could you push me down the stairs?" "I didn't push you, your grace. You must
Dane closed his eyes with relief as he felt the telltale flutter of life, he lifted her in his arms just as Abigail and Harriet reached there. He told Abigail to hurry ahead to her mistress's apartment, then he looked at Harriet, whose already pale face became quite ashen when she saw Katherine's limp figure.He sighed, his face dropping a little. Harriet's heart was about to explode as she became anxious for an answer from him but the expression on his face told her it wasn't good news.Caroline almost made herself laugh. She is dead. The expression on Dane's face said everything.Dane glanced at Harriet who was on the verge of tears. "No, no, please do not get my expression wrong. Your cousin is alive."Relief surged visibly through Harriet. "Oh, your grace, but why don't you look happy?"" I was consumed by the idea that I wasn't able to protect her. I ought to have been there to protect her. What if Abigail was right and she had been the target of a murderous attempt?" He said th
Amelia suddenly woke up, her breathing was ragged and she was covered in a thin layer of sweat. She was disorientated from being woken so suddenly, but she remembered the nightmare she had so clearly. She had a dream of that night Katherine was murdered.So, it was William and Caroline. They killed her. She must inform Dane of this.How is she going to tell Dane without any evidence?She looked around the drawing room, standing up from the sofa, Dane was still asleep. Looking over shoulder, she saw Dane starting to shift, his hand going out towards where she had been on the sofa. His hand was reaching out, seeking her warmth. She detected the shift of muscles in his rounded buttocks. She watched, fascinated at how every movement, how every line of that big body exudes power. And his shaft.His shaft?Dane was hardening once more. She was quite sore, of that she could be certain, but Amelia didn't care, just the thought of the pleasure he could give her made her want him again.Going
When Dane opened his eyes, it was to see his wife staring at him, a smile curling over her lips. Her fingers were running over his face, touching his eyelashes, down his nose, over his lips, he did not move, barely even breathed, enjoying her touch, until her hand finally settled on the side of his neck. "How long have you been awake?" He asked, his voice sounding far more husky than he intended. "Just a few minutes ago, I was looking at you while you slept." She whispered back, her voice soft. "Were you comfortable sleeping on the sofa?" He asked. "Yes." She replied. "I can still hear the city move outside." There were sounds of carriages returning from diners, of guests going back home. "I'm certain everyone must be wondering where we went. They wouldn't know we're…" he paused as her cheeks coloured. He chuckled. "I long to only breathe in your scent." He murmured, his eyes closing as his lips and nose brushed against her neck, breathing in the scent of her warm skin and then
Simon released her, smiling. "Dane, I didn't know you were…""In the days of our childhood you may have been at liberty to address me by my name, but those days are long since past, Denham," Dane replied."Dane, this isn't what it seems," Amelia whispered trying to explain, but saw unforgiveness in the bleak grey of Dane's eyes."No, of course it isn't, you're merely talking." He replied contemptuously."Please believe me!" She cried, taking a halting step toward him. For just that moment, Amelia felt great hatred for Simon."I am not going to believe any word that comes out of your mouth, Katherine." He said and his attention darted to Simon. "And you? How dare you touch my wife, you coward?"Simon clenched his jaw. "Take that foul insult back, Barnard." He lunged forward, but Dane stepped aside. One thing Simon hates is being referred to as a coward."You are a craven, just as your uncle was. He could not dare stand before my father, yet he dared to plan to elope with his wife. Pray