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Chapter 25: Ecstasy
I had just waved goodbye to Pa and I went back into the house to do the dishes when I heard Alan and Arthur arguing by the trees. It did not sound like one of their little arguments, Alan sounded very angry and his temper was a bad one, so I went out to know what the problem was.
"We agreed and you're breaking your promise. She is not your mama and if you keep saying that, I won't be your friend anymore." I heard Alan clearly as I got closer.
"But I don't want to go back, I like mama..." I got there in time to see Alan push Arthur hard.
"Alan!" I rebuked, getting their attention. They both stared wide-eyed at me, then Alan ran away and Arthur followed him, straight to the lake. Were they going to run on the ice? It wasn't strong enough!
"Stop! Don't run on the ice, you will fall..." I didn't get to finish as I watched in horror as they fell in, first Alan and then Arthur.
I didn't stop to think, I ran after them and into the ice cold water to rescu
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The Maidens (Crutoe Sisters) Chapter 26: Truth Revealed
We didn't leave the house until late in the day after four more rounds of love making. We would have stayed in more but I wanted to be sure the boys were alright.I changed into a different gown and headed out of the house, unlocking the door. Arthur was right on the porch stairs, sitting and looking really sad."Ar...""Gwen." Julien called, cutting me off and I turned around to him. His eyes were on Arthur's back and they seemed to be brooding over something."Yes?" He pulled his eyes away from Arthur to me."I need to talk to you." He trailed off."Alright? What is it?" I encouraged."It is about the children and this house... I mean, it is about me. I thought you would be like..." The sudden sound of hoof beats interrupted him and we both turned to see a man riding towards the house."Work." Julien muttered. "It won't take long, I will speak to him and then we shall talk." With that, he left to meet the rider halfway and th
The Maidens (Crutoe Sisters) Chapter 27: New Year's Eve (A)
The carriage took us all back to Arana and to the Duke's mansion; I had no doubts anymore, Julien was really the Duke.After he left, while we waited for the carriage, An... Martha tried to apologize to me, but I took Arthur into the house and locked the door. I couldn't believe my own childhood friend, my cousin would do such a thing to me. But why? What did she stand to gain? If she's married to Julien's brother, then her husband must surely have a title to his name; that means they're well-to-do. So, why would she need to drag me away from Durnca to deceive me?"My Lady?" I paused between putting my few clothes in a bag and turned to Arthur. My lady?"Don't call me that, Arthur. I am your mama." He looked down at his fingers. "Come here." I instructed, sitting on the floor, the same floor where Julien and I... I shook my head to clear the thought. I loved every bit of our lovemaking, but now I know it was all a lie, I felt foolish for giving myself away like
The Maidens (Crutoe Sisters) Chapter 28: New Year's Eve (B)
I remained in my prison for six days, only letting in Eliza and Arthur. After the third day and I grew tired of the boredom but still so stubborn to leave my room, I asked Eliza to get me things for sewing, I needed to make presents for the children since it would be New Year soon; so I thought of making a doll for Maya, not that it could compare to the ones she had or that a gift from me was necessary... And for the boys, I planned to make bow ties for them.Now, I was done making the bow ties and was still on Maya's doll... Sitting and sewing alone in my room on New Year's Eve; not that I didn't miss being with everyone, but I wanted to stay away until I decide on what to do. It was painful, crying myself to sleep every night and always wondering Julien was...A knock on the door jolted me away from my thoughts, it was either Arthur or Eliza, so I asked whoever it was to come in."My Lady!" Hailey grinned at me with mock curtsey. Hailey! I've been dying to see
The Maidens (Crutoe Sisters) Chapter 29: New Year's Eve (C)
Hailey wasted no time in turning to glare at me."You're awful, Gwen, making your sweet cousin worry so much about you and you are not the least grateful!" She spat."Don't you see everything is ruined?""In what way, you foolish girl? So far it's just you who has problems with them because they kept the truth from you.""But Hailey..." I hesitated. "Julien and I... you know, when I didn't know." Hailey rolled her eyes upwards, as if asking for help."What is wrong with that? He is your husband after all and he loves you.""You can't be sure." She suddenly smacked my arm."Just how oblivious to the truth can you be, Gwendolyn? Did all that Martha say get into one ear and fly out through the other? Julien cares for you! Before he met you, he was locking his heart away because a stupid lady rejected him and ran away with his heir." She paused. I wanted to point out that it may not have been a son since no one saw the child, but I feared
The Maidens (Crutoe Sisters) Chapter 30: The Prodigal Brother (A)
A few minutes later, I studied myself in the full-length mirror and knew I was ready to meet my husband."Oh, you look better than the last time. You are no longer the helpless daughter of the town's drunk who wasn't sure of herself, you are the Duchess of Arana." At that, I paled."What is wrong?""A Duchess? Hailey, I know nothing about being a Duchess. What if I can't do it and I embarrass Julien, then he will regret having me as his wife.""Don't you worry about that, he knows everything about you and he still chose to marry you. If he even mentions anything about regrets, tell me and I will plant him a facer." We shared a laugh and all my fears subsided. Forget about being the Duchess, I'm not even sure if he wouldn't give me divorce papers.I lazily looked out the window at an approaching carriage. Even as Hailey nudged me to go to Julien, I still found myself staring until the couple got down. First it was the man, and as he helped his wife
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"My lady?" Eliza's voice jolted me out of my thoughts."I will be there shortly." She left."I know what you're thinking." Hailey began. "You can easily go to the garden and ask him yourself, rather than giving yourself a headache thinking about it." I straightened, she was right."I need to fix my look." I said hastily, looking on the dressing table for a hairbrush."Uhm, Gwen...? You should change your dress, it's ripped at the back." I turned my back to the mirror to see for myself; it was indeed ripped, not much but enough to make sure I wasn't seen in it again if I'm to be a proper Duchess. Poor dress, that rapist ripped it and I got it mended, now Julien has ripped it too.Hailey helped me change my dress, brush my hair and made sure I looked presentable. Then I headed out in search of the garden. It wasn't that hard to find since it was the same place Julien and I got married; I couldn't forget such a place.Robert was sitting on a be
The Maidens (Crutoe Sisters) Chapter 32: Who Albert really is
We returned to my room, ate, bathe and got ready for bed. It was when we were about to start a new round of lovemaking that I remembered telling Arthur I'd tuck him in bed."Oh, my! Arthur!" Julien stopped kissing my neck to look at my face."Did you just call me Arthur?""No. I promised Arthur I'll tuck him. He must be waiting for me." I hurried off the bed and straightened my night garment."Eliza must have done that. It's very late now, there's no way he would still be awake, waiting.""I know my son, Julien. And even if he's already asleep, I have to make sure and give him a kiss. I won't take long, I promise." I left the room and found my way to the nursery. I was right, Arthur was wide awake, counting his fingers with no trace of sleep on his face, while Eliza sat next to his bed, waiting."Arthur." I whispered, so I wouldn't wake up the other children. They both looked up and beamed. I put a finger to my lips to stop him from shouting
The Maidens (Crutoe Sisters) Chapter 33: Real or Adopted
The week that followed after that was bliss. I was reintroduced to my brother-in-law who looked a lot like Julien but was a little more childish, yet he was a father of three children? I liked him immediately I met him. Of course, Martha and I made up and I spent more time in the ladies' company. Hailey, Martha, Erica and I went into the town to look around and order dresses and jewelry; we attended tea parties with Martha and I was introduced as Julien's wife which wasn't necessary as most of the ladies were present on the night we got married.After three days, Robert left with his family and Hailey left soon after as the letters from her beloved Lord Roland were almost flooding her out of the mansion.I finally met my mother-in-law for the first time and liked her instantly; she was a quiet woman who preferred being locked up in her room, lost in the world of books. She was funny and kind whenever she could take her eyes off her books and she gave me her full blessi
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