"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
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
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
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
Part One: Gwendolyn The Duke looked up as his sister-in-law came in, his brother in tow. He groaned, knowing fully well why they were there. "I'm not giving up on you!" His sister-in-law began, hands on her hips. "At least meet her once, you will surely like her." The Duke's eyes fell on his brother. His brother only shrugged, letting him know that it's all his wife's idea. "Martha..." "You don't even have to mention your title to her, she will love you no matter what. Trust me, she is the best girl for you." She interrupted him, pleading earnestly. He sighed, no matter how many times he refuses, she won't give it up. "Martha..." "I have a plan. You can test her if you want... Don't marry her until you're sure you're in love with her." "At least give it a try. What do you have to lose anyway?" His brother put in. "Precious time to do more important things." "Oh tosh! You have worked five years int
"Would you please hurry up, Gwen?" I made the final stroke of the brush through my hair, then I quickly bonded it with a blue ribbon, letting its long end to fall over my shoulder. Looking up myself in the cracked mirror and proud of my work, I hurried out to Hailey."Oh, there you..." She paused, looking me up. I had spent two hard day's making that dress and even if the occasion wasn't that grand, I wanted to look good for once. I was wearing a hand made blue cotton dress with its neck cut so low, my cleavage was slightly exposed. It's a good thing Durnca wasn't so cold until early January, so I didn't need to hide my beautiful dress under a coat.With my black curly hair hanging over my shoulder and my big green eyes, I knew I was a sight to behold."Oh my!" Hailey exclaimed and I smiled with pride. She wore a brown dress the colour of her hair and eyes and it was sewn to hug her figure perfectly."Oh my!" She said again. I did a twirl, so she'd see al
I had already gone a little distance when I heard Hailey call out to me."Gwen?" I stopped in my tracks and turned slowly to look at her, she was worried."I asked that you stay awhile.""I know but I can't stay any longer." She turned back in the direction of the town square, as if in thought."I saw Albert, did he upset you? If so, I will plant him a facer." I laughed, relaxing as all my anger left me."No, he still hates pa though.""Hold on, I will say my good bye to Sammy and come with you.""Of course not. I really don't want to be a bother and ruin your evening, my friend, I know you still want to stay more with Sammy. I am going to the pub to get my pa." She frowned and I knew why, things never ends well whenever I go there."You are just going to get harassed again. I would rather have you go home instead.""I understand, Hailey. But he is my papa and it's my duty to care for him, I will try to bring him home."
"Leave? B-bought me?" I was confused and scared and I just didn't know what to feel. And here I was thinking he rescued me, he just bought himself a slave."Yes, now get on." He looked irritated and angry."Wait a moment, I can't leave, this is my home. If only you'd give me a month, I will get you your money back. I can sew a hundred dresses and I can increase my prices so the...""Quiet!" He snapped and I shut my mouth. "I've had a long journey searching for a wife and now I've found you, I have to get back to my business. Now come on." His wife?! My face felt hot immediately. I would be his wife? Just like that? Wait a moment, I didn't know this man and... marriage?! Yes, he was a fine looking young man with an impressive height and beautiful blue eyes and long dark brown hair he binded, but he was a stranger and certainly not from Durnca; I couldn't leave my home like that.Getting impatient, he made to grab me but I avoided his hand."Hold on,