All Chapters of Upon Your Return: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

Such Offers Will Not DoUpon Your Return - Episode 42***Fara was in the market doing some shopping a few days later when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Spinning, she saw it was Monsieur Bordeaux. She wanted to cringe. He had hounded her for weeks. If he didn't follow her on errands, he made several unplanned visits to the house.It wasn't the first time he had attempted to snare her into a life with him. Not only had he made the unscrupulous mistake of entering her boudoir back in La Rochelle so long ago, but he had also approached her after that, about five months into her pregnancy when she was still shocked by Grant's departure. Then, she learned he had relocated to Marseille and he meant to make her his wife as her uncle had proposed, even in her obvious condition. Though Grant had rid her of the obligation long ago by seeking out her uncle's lawyer as promised, Nicholas had still pursued her. Of course, she refused him. It was her choice now; even the courts couldn’t gainsay

An Error to Be RectifiedUpon Your Return - Episode 44She had foreseen this kind of reaction. She stepped forward with her fists clenched. “Stop it! I've not been waiting for you this long in order for you to rush to these kinds of conclusions.”“Waiting?” His eyes narrowed on her face. “You aren’t married or betrothed...”She shook her head. “No, I'm quite happily unmarried. I'm very unattached, if you care to know.”“Happily?”“With a few exceptions.”“And the child? He is illegitimate? I wouldn’t think you the type, but then you still surprise me.”“If you cared to look close enough, you might've seen a few similarities.”“I have. As I said before, he has his mother's hair and her flair for the extravagant.”She rolled her eyes. “Mon Dieu...can you be such a dunce? Did you perchance have a good look at Gabriel's eyes? Or consider his age?”He stiffened. “What do you mean? No, I didn’t notice his eyes.”“Then you will be patient whilst I ring for my son. Francoise!”A small woman

Marriage, Truly?Upon Your Return - Episode 46“Don't you understand, chère? Monsieur Hill, however many years belated, is trying to court you. He is gaining your respect as well as giving it. He’s treading softly in order to prepare you for the rest. He plans to ask you to marry him. His method is not a foreign practice.”“No,” she replied softly, “But you think he would want to marry me?”“And why not, chère? You're beautiful, charming, and witty. What else could the man want in a wife?” She frowned. “Hasn’t he mentioned this before?”“Yes, but…I don’t know. It was so long ago. I just never thought he would willingly do that.” Then she remembered his expression upon encountering his son. “Lord, do you think it's because of Gabriel?”“Does the reason matter so much? This is your chance to have what you want. You're in love with the man. Would it be so bad to be married to him?”No, that wasn't the downside. She might, however, have to live with him and never know his real reasons fo

Is He My Father?Upon Your Return - Episode 48***Grant took Fara and Gabe into town less than a week after their picnic at the cove. She wanted to go by the milliner's shop to pick up a gown and some clothes she'd had made for their son. And it wouldn't be too much trouble to go by the general store for a toy. Whilst they were in town, they stopped by a coffeehouse for luncheon. After a brief repast, they were leaving the restaurant when Gabe tried to get his mother's attention.“Monsieur Hill is a captain, Maman,” he said excitedly, tugging at her arm.“Oui, Gabe…I know.” She looked up at Grant. “He's suddenly developed the inclination to run a ship of his own.”He smiled and knelt to the boy's level. “Perhaps one day you would like to run aboard La Voyageur. You could meet my crew and I would show you what a captain really does.”“Oui, Capitaine,” he exclaimed on a breath.“Bon,” Grant agreed and rose to his full height. He took Gabriel's hand as they crossed the street together

Another Passionate OperaUpon Your Return - Episode 50(CONTENT WARNING: Look out for a sex scene in this episode. It is not a closed door scene, so if steamy scenes offend you, perhaps you should skip ahead slightly.)***A week later Fara glanced over the newspaper in the library and read of an opera playing in town, Gounod's La reine de Saba, which was about a tragedy based loosely on the Christian story of King Solomon. Beseeching to Grant, they made plans to attend that evening. Fara prepared herself by consulting with Lina and Rosalie on what to wear while Grant went to purchase the tickets and prepared Pierre to drive them.For the event, Fara dressed in a gown of light blue muslin and ivory trim with blue pins entwined into her done-up tresses. She took Grant's arm as she came down the stairs from her room. Grant, as well, was splendidly dressed in a black suit with a white silk cravat about his neck. Her aunt and Gabe looked on with interest and pride as they left the house.