Instantly, Ava moved her gaze to the lady next to him. Sitting elegantly beside her dashing fiancé, Lady Selene Wyndham was an epitome of beauty and grace. Ava had never seen anything quite like her. She was... perfection. The lady had a classic beauty of an aristocratic woman. She had a heart-shaped face with a pair of almond-shaped eyes, with thick and long lashes framed her sapphire blue orbs. Her straight and narrow nose pointed high, Ava imagined a little bird could perch on it, and her thin lips were taut, seemed like she was not into humor and hilarity. Her hair was a blonde color in the lightest shade that her pale forehead seemed to merge with her hairline. She wore sapphires in her hair and neck, matching her eyes and her light blue gown in an understated elegance. The following barouche brought Princess Charlotte and Lord Wyndham, and the last one brought Lord Carlton and Lady Cecily. Ava didn't saw Magnus there. Apparently he didn't join the p

"How are you feeling now, my dear?" Lady Byrne asked her in the afternoon after the parade while Ava was serving her some biscuits and tea. "I'm fine, milady." She smiled and returned her gaze shortly while pouring the tea. Lady Byrne knew most of the story. She had told her everything except her true identity. When Magnus suddenly disappeared from her life, the lady never stopped questioning her about it and finally, she gave in to her demands. Besides, she had found that the lady was a true friend indeed, not a careless gossiper like she presumed before. She was just about to leave to the kitchen, pretending to refill the empty teapot when the lady touched her hand."You're not fine, my dear. Your lips are smiling but your eyes are not. Your eyes have stopped crying but your heart has not." Ava couldn't find a word to reply.  "Come and have a s

She contemplated the words. If it was true, it meant the man she loved would stay beside her for all her life. Well, it could be... but she didn't want a lifetime affair. "Will I live in proper and righteous way?" "I have no doubt. I see great power and wealth and honor." Polly was right, the dramatic and hyperbolic prophecy was getting tedious now. It was impossible for any decent man to have her. It would have sounded less nonsense if the woman said she was going to marry a villager, a man with lowly status and a humble beginnings who didn't require a respectable background from her. A man who could marry whoever he wanted. She smiled at the thought. Indeed, the people who had nothing were the people who had the infinite freedom. But if her prophecy was true... She shivered at the first thought crossed her mind. If she was going to marry properly and live in nobility, chances were she would be marr

She sensed his resistance instantly as he stiffened and pulled his hand off. She knew it wasn't for the pain but his distaste to her touch. "Hold on, please let me help you. The bleeding is awful. We have to bind your wound." Studying his wound with a quick glance, he found her reasonable. He was seriously injured and needed immediate care. There's no point in denying her help. "If you will allow me, it won't take long ..." she glanced up to see his reaction, but his expression was indecipherable. "May I ..." She reached his hand very carefully, fearing he would shrug her off at once. He didn't. She wrapped and tied the handkerchief around his hand, a trickle of blood soaking the white fabric, but the bleeding had slowed down. She felt him watching silently, and she got a bit nervous. As soon as she finished the task, she pulled off and stepped back. She seemed restless and regre

After a long search in the deep, cold water, Ava finally found what she sought for. The lake was deeper than one she used to swim in Roseville, so it wasn't as easy as she assumed. The water was clear under the bright sunlight but as she went deeper, it got darker. It took a little while before her eyes adapted well with the low light. She was glad she had the stamina. She could stay six to seven minutes under the water. She felt relief as the dark cover of the book caught her eye. The water was biting cold. She would freeze if she stayed here any longer. She took the book and held it tight, she was just about to swim up when something came around her waist and pulled her up. Panic struck her instantly. She had been caught by some water creature! An image of a giant octopus flashed in her frantic mind. She struggled, moving helplessly to fight whatever captured her, but it was too strong. She pushed the tentacle encircling her belly with one