No words passed between us until we got back to my house. Julien went in first to take a look at Pa while I saw to the horses. In a few minutes, Hailey came rushing out, grinning and blushing like a new bride after the wedding night. "Tell me Gwen, is that your captor?" "Yes, that's Julien. Handsome, isn't he?" "Handsome?! I've always thought Albert was the most good looking gentleman, but that man over there looks like... like..." She was struggling to find a word that best describes Julien's looks. "Like the Lord Himself." "Hailey! That's blasphemy." "Oh, forget that. They say the Lord created us in His image but Julien is the exact copy of the Lord."  "I'm not listening to your nonsense before I get punished alongside you." I looked away from her and securely tied the horses' reins and took off their saddles. Then I got water for them before turning back to Hailey who studied me. "You seem upset. I was only maki

Arana was beautiful! It was so beautiful, I wondered why we lived in Rashord when Julien worked in Arana. The entire town was bright and it looked like everyone was well to do, not one house was poverty-stricken. I guess having a young Duke paid well.As soon as the carriage stopped in front of the Duke's mansion and we got down, Alan and Maya ran into the mansion and I would have stopped them but Ann said it was okay. How was it okay? Unless they had been there a lot of times and knew their way around.Ann took Arthur with her and they went in too. I had to forget about the children for a moment, it was my first time in such an environment, I had to blend in. I fiddled with my gown, one of the new ones I made for myself, wondering if it was nice enough for the party."Stop doing that." Julien laughed beside me, taking my hands away from my gown. "Trust me, you're the prettiest lady here tonight.""We haven't even entered yet and I am certain that my gown

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

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

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