All Chapters of Upon Your Return: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Unexpected CircumstancesUpon Your Return - Episode 1ALL RIGHTS RESERVEDNo part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.Note:This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places, and events are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to real persons, places, or events is coincidental.Cover Art by Shannon NemechekMarie Lavender © 2013, second edition published 2020, third edition published 2022.Upon Your ReturnBook One of the Heiresses in Love SeriesMarie LavenderDedicationTo the one I love – without you, this book might still be a work in progress. I will always be thankful for the chain of events that brought us together. Fate often guides two soul mates in the right direction to find each other.Upon You

A Strange ArrangementUpon Your Return - Episode 3Chapter OneApril 12, 1863"Oh, dear, did you see the Follets the other day? I'm surprised they have the nerve to show their faces.”Fara Bellamont nodded to Juliet Masson and attempted a smile. The chandelier lighting cast a harsh light over the dinner party this evening. The tapestry panels about the room depicted a floral motif, huge bouquets against a crimson and ivory background. There were twelve people at the dining table, mostly comprised of her uncle's business partners and their wives and daughters. Also, a few available gentlemen whom her uncle occasionally consorted with.She then heard an unforgivable giggle from her female companion. Focusing her attention on her plate of Chicken Almondine and roasted potatoes, she tried to ignore the ruckus the lady to her left caused. Juliet must’ve had too much wine; most young women her age refused to gossip at dinner parties, especially if men were present. Usually that kind of talk

Upon Your ReturnChapter TwoEpisode 5 - Sudden RescueFara fought the blackness to the coming light. It was so easy to stay in the dark. It was comforting like a warm blanket. But the light held such possibilities. She knew she must rouse, as if something significant lay in wakefulness. She stirred and felt a pair of arms holding her. Then she heard a heartbeat beneath a rough fabric, felt a coarse texture of chest hair. It was so secure within that embrace.When she finally realized it was a man who held her, she gasped and tried to retreat from the cord of muscles. She glanced up to be temporarily blinded by the lamplight to her left.“Don't move,” said a soft but deep voice.He spoke with the assurance of authority, likely used to ordering people around. Well, he wouldn't command her. She lifted her heavy head and whimpered as a stab of agony sliced through her skull. Fara squeezed her eyes shut tight. It was so much easier to be left in the dark for it was as if her head was bein

The Morning AfterUpon Your Return - Episode 7Chapter ThreeShe woke slowly, the light teasing her lashes open. She snuggled against a hard, warm body and though her eyelids were heavy with sleep, she looked up into the face of La Capitaine Hill. It took a moment for her to realize his eyes, which were unreadable before, laughed at her and were creased at the corners.She glanced around and knew instantly the reason for his ill-displayed humor. She was holding him down. Her arms encircled his neck, and one exposed white thigh was thrown across his belly, which was thankfully hidden by his breeches. What an imbecile she was, all safe and warm and curled against a complete stranger.Her cheeks flushed and she stammered, “I-I'm sorry...” She tried to pull away, but he clutched her waist. “Grant,” she pleaded.“I don't mind at all, Fara.”“Oui, but I do!”“I see...but you forget who started it.”Her face might as well have been stained red for his teasing remarks weren’t helping the sit

An Unsettling GoodbyeUpon Your Return - Episode 9“Mademoiselle!” A boy rushed up to them. “A carriage has arrived. The driver says he is Pierre.”Fara's stomach sank. “He works for my uncle. It seems he wishes my return. Eric, it is time you tell your captain I must leave.”He nodded and left to find his master.Fara shook her head desolately. This, too, was predictable. Things would return to normal as soon as she entered the house. Her uncle would not be happy with her absence either. It wasn’t proper. It was very tiresome to always be so careful.“I hear you're leaving us.”She turned to see Grant approach her. “Yes, my uncle has sent transportation.”“It's a pity. I might’ve kept you longer.”“Oh?” Alarm ran along the back of her neck and raised the hairs in some kind of strange anticipation. What did he mean by that?“Oui. I'm sorry I was away for so long. The business of being a captain has its moments of tedium.”“That's all right. Every position has some disadvantages.”He