Dear readers,thank you for your feedback on the previous chapter. Really appreciate it. I'd like you to know, writers write better when they know what the readers think of the story; the characters and the plot, which character you like best etc. So please don't hesitate to leave a comment and let me know what's on your mind. Thanks again and I hope you stay safe and healthy wherever you are.Though Viscountess Winthrop had always been an aloof, distant mother who'd shown very little interest in her five children, Arabella had never really been able to hate her ~until now. She'd just come to realize that her virtuous, honorable mama was no better than a pimpstress. This very morning, Arabella had been forced to wear a tight corset and squeeze into a brand new dress a size too small, with an outrageously revealing décolletage, to impress her current suitor, Lord Bentley. She would never forget how her mother's face broke into a wide, self-satisfied smile when Lord Bentley's gaze was
Marguerite's gaze fixed on the passing building outside as the carriage rolled into the night. Across from her, Mary watched her in silence, waiting for some explanation for this outrageous venture. When five minutes had passed and Marguerite hadn't uttered a single word, the maid brought herself to ask,"What are we doing, Miss?" Marguerite remained silent as she couldn't seem to reason out her impulsive action. She only knew that if she just sat idly by at home, the tormenting ordeal of not knowing what really happened would drive her mad. Looking at Marguerite with a pitiful eyes, Mary carefully said,"Not to presume, Miss, I understand what you're feeling now and I'm sorry this happened to you, but this is pointless, and it will only hurt you more."Marguerite bit her lip. Perhaps her maid was right, this was a pointless thing to do, but instead of being tortured by endless suspicion and doubt, she preferred to learn the truth with her own eyes, no matter how ugly it might be. On
Dear readers, sorry for the irregular update lately. Been juggling between raising children and writing, I hope you can understand. While the pandemic hasn't really gone, some part of the world are torn apart by war. I pray for peace and safety and comfort to my readers wherever you are, and I hope reading my stories can bring a little joy to your days. May God always keep us protected and safe from harm.******"Look how lovely you are!"Viscountess Winthrop exclaimed once Arabella whirled around to show her new dress. The woman's gaze swept over her daughter's figure and her expression took on a rather regretful look."I used to dream that you, of all my daughters, would be the one to bear the heir to one of the oldest, richest titles in all England. Why, among your sisters, you are undoubtedly the fairest."Arabella stood listening to her mother with a compressed mouth. She wasn't the least bit flattered by the remarks, knowing what would follow next."But now, since you're far pas
Dear readers, thanks for your feedbacks on the previous chapter. They are my fuels to keep writing and delivering the best for you. Please feel free to comment, because I'd love to know what you think about the characters, the plot, etc. Constructive criticism is also welcome. Hope this chapter is entertaining and satisfying, enjoy! During the course of the evening, Matthew had been very vexed with her, but at the soft press of her lips, his annoyance vanished in a flash. He felt his knees turn to jelly, but then the tentative brush of her warm, moist tongue along the seam of his mouth made him grow hard in some other place. His lips parted to allow her entry, and at the feel of her tongue in his mouth, a guttural sound climbed out of his throat, a cross between a gasp and a moan. She was softer, hotter, sweeter than anything he'd ever tasted. Breaking loose of all his restraint, he devoured her mouth like a parched man who'd just found an oasis in the middle of an endless desert. H
Dear readers, thank you for all your feedbacks. Really appreciate it and looking forward to hearing more from all of you. Sorry for the very late update, trying my best to catch up! Hope you enjoy it!It seemed an eternity had passed before Arabella finally ended the kiss and reluctantly eased her mouth and arms away from him, leaving a cold, hollow spot in the places that had just filled with warmth. When he opened his eyes to see her face, he wondered if he only imagined it but she looked just as shaken, returning his gaze with a slightly quivering smile."Not bad for your first time." Not bad at all.Actually, the pretend kiss had left her dazed, not quite able to think or focus on anything else. Not intended for anything other than a charade, that kiss wasn't supposed to evoke any feelings, or to stir strong emotions as if it were a real one. She didn't expect it to have such a breathtaking impact on her, like the warm, giddy sensation that made her knees weaken and her mind reel
Matthew nearly choked on his tea. Abruptly he set his cup down."Maggie, it's not possible.""Why?" "I don't think that they will allow me to bring a partner.""They do. It's written on the bottom of the envelope. It's an invitation for two."Damn. What is he supposed to say now?Before Matthew could think of a sensible reason to refuse her request, she pleaded,"Matthew, I've always wanted to attend a ballroom party. You know the ballroom scene is my favorite part of the Cinderwench tale. I've always imagined what it looks like in reality.""I don't think you'll like the crowd, Maggie.They are, you know what your father always said about the nobility, they are pompous and arrogant.""I'll be fine with you by my side. I just want to know what it's like to attend a ball."Matthew tried to offer a few weak arguments to no avail because she insisted on going with him. Later that evening, he paced back and forth the short space in front of Marguerite's suite, racking his brain for a tack
Quite taken aback by the reproof, Matthew gave a defensive reply."I left her only for a few minutes and Maggie could perfectly manage to make herself comfortable without your assistance."Unprovoked, Jacob's voice remained calm and steady, yet lacking its usual jauntiness."Really? Do you know some lecherous blighter has just made improper advances on her? He'd grown aggressive and she would have been harassed if I came a minute too late."Matthew's eyes widened as the unexpected news caught him off guard."What?!! What happened?""It seems that the man accosted her and she rejected his advances. That idiot got infuriated and grabbed her by the arm. Fortunately I just happened to pass by and see the happenings before he could intimidate her further. I pulled that bastard off her and sent him off."Matthew froze as his brain formed horrible images of the incident. A man had dared to ill-treat Maggie, manhandling and threatening her in his absence. He couldn't begin to imagine how terr
Dear readers, trying my best to deliver these chapters. Please feel free to leave your comment and let me know what you think about the characters, especially who do you like the most and which characters make the best pairing. After escorting Marguerite to her suite, Matthew went to his study. Once inside, he poured himself some wine and sat contemplating today's events. This had been the first real glitch he'd encountered in his plan. He'd known it the moment Marguerite insisted on going to the party with him. This evening, he'd failed to help Bella and protect Marguerite from indecent advances. While he'd made amends to Maggie, he'd neglected Bella. He guessed she must be mad at him right now.It occurred to him to go and sneak into Bella's chamber to explain about his absence, but at the moment, he was too anxious about one particular matter to trouble about Bella.Not only Maggie's coming with him had ruined his plan, he'd also found a potential problem. He'd sensed it from the