All Chapters of Upon Your Return: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

A Charade Upon Your Return - Episode 11***While preparing for dinner with the help of her nursemaid, Fara heard a commotion outside. She went to the window, easing back the curtain. From her vantage point, she could see a dark figure step out of a fiacre carriage right before the house. When the moonlight shone on the man's features, a thrill shot down her body as if she'd been touched. It was Capitaine Hill. He had arrived.She drew back from the window before he saw her. No sense in being improper in front of a guest.As Fara was finishing her preparations, there were voices in the house. They definitely belonged to the male variety. It could only be her uncle speaking to Grant in the jovial way he addressed his guests. He was all too predictable, always kind yet reserved, never going out of his way to let someone know how he felt about a certain matter. He was the same with her, expecting propriety and nothing else. When he made less than savory comments, they were subtle yet p

One More KissUpon Your Return - Episode 13He leaned his head toward hers. “It's well past the time that we dispense with formality, don't you think, Fara?”“Oui,” she replied as his lips touched hers briefly. It was a quick kiss, but one that might even convey betrothal. It was bad for that to occur. Her uncle was undoubtedly seething with rage if he observed, and she certainly wasn’t acting the part of the affianced woman by allowing it. “Grant,” she whispered.He lifted a hand to her lips. “Say no more. I know I've gone far enough, perhaps too far. But just for that moment I wanted to pretend it was only us, that we wouldn't have to worry about appearances.”She smiled. “Society is much too demanding at times.”He nodded. “I fear I must now return you to your uncle before he decides to have me run through…” She couldn’t suppress a giggle and he shot her a venomous look. “You find the concept amusing?”She shook her head, saddened by the seriousness of the situation. “Only that you

Death Is Just the BeginningUpon Your Return - Episode 15Hours afterward, as she pushed through a crowd of men and women with her maid and her driver Pierre lugging two baskets behind them, Rosalie pointed to an amber-colored fruit. “From Spain, Mademoiselle. Shall we?”Fara halted in her step and examined the fruit. She imagined a delicious platter she could persuade her cook to prepare. Orange-glazed lamb. “Oui, Rosalie. We will make the purchase.” But as she turned to speak to the peddler, she heard someone yell across the way. A man raced toward her in deliberate haste. She tensed in fear. “Pierre—”He reached her before she could call to her driver for help and stopped abruptly. “I'm sorry, Mademoiselle. I didn’t mean to startle you, but I was sent…are you Mademoiselle Bellamont?” It seemed like eons until he caught his breath.“Oui. What is it?” She looked down and in his hand, he held a piece of parchment. Oncle, she thought. He had changed his mind after all. “You're a messe

A Temporary ArrangementUpon Your Return - Episode 17Chapter SevenMonsieur Lumas came to see her once more a few days later. Grant happened to be checking the doors when the lawyer arrived. Fara felt removed from her duties somehow but greeted him as cordially as possible and led him to the library because that was the room with which she was certain he would be most familiar. “Is everything all right, Monsieur?”He nodded. “I came to clear up the situation concerning your guardian.”“Situation?”“Your aunt is to take care of you from now on. You don’t have to leave yet, but I’ve sent her notification of her duties.”“I thought I was to live with her if Monsieur Bordeaux didn’t assume the actions of my fiancé.”“That is what is stated, however, you will still need a guardian of some kind during those six months before the wedding. Therefore, Madame Devereux will be informed within the week and then you may prepare yourself to live with her sometime within a month or so. If you like

A Reluctant CompanionUpon Your Return - Episode 19Overall, she admitted to herself, that Andrew Spencer was a good companion, but Grant's departure had left her feeling lonely, nonetheless. “Have you heard from him, Monsieur?”“I presume you mean Capitaine Hill. I don’t know the man well enough to receive word of him.”She lifted a brow. “You are not…previous acquaintances?”He chuckled. “I fear not, Mademoiselle Bellamont. I met him outside of La Rochelle when my coach took a nasty spill. He was quick to come to my aid and in the few words we exchanged, he happened to mention a certain lady in need of an escort. I hadn't plans at the time, so I accepted.”“Do you have duties now, Monsieur Spencer?”“Oui, Mademoiselle. I only prefer to spend time with you.”She frowned again. “You don’t know me, Monsieur.”“Oui, that is true, and I wish you to call me Andrew.”She cleared her throat. “Formality is required, Monsieur, and I haven’t known you so long…”“It won’t change our friendship