All Chapters of When Love Rivals Marriage : Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

- Josephine - I’m so uncomfortable. My corset is far too tight, my hair is painfully pinned up, and the lace of my dress is scratching the top of my breasts. I can’t even put my hands in my lap without the beading on my skirt clawing at my skin. The smell of wildflowers and cow dung is filling the air, and the rough jostling of the carriage is making me nauseous. I couldn’t believe this was happening. Four months ago my father had passed away, leaving me alone and at the mercy of the courts. As an unmarried 19 year old I was to be sent to Lord Leven’s estate to become his ward until he could successfully marry me off. I knew this was happening, so why now, on the way to my new life am I so scared? I closed my eyes and swallowed the lump in my throat. “Just breathe my lady.” I opened my eyes and looked at my maid Aria. She had been with me for years, and felt like the only family I had left. I smiled, drawing a deep breath. She smiled back at me, pleased I was follo

- Josephine - After our introductions Aria and I excused ourselves to rest before dinner. Several maids escorted us to our room, and let themselves in. They rushed around the room telling me where they had put my things. But I wasn’t listening. I was too busy looking at the room wide eyed in shock. This wasn’t a mere bedroom, it was an apartment. From the upstairs hallway, the door opened to a sitting room with a large fireplace and seating arrangement. My easel had been set up by the window, and my chess set was perfectly displayed on a table in the corner. Aria’s room was so lovely that I mistook it for my own. I was quickly corrected and led to a larger bedroom with a four post bed, a large fireplace, and a bath set in the window. Near the fireplace was a large wooden vanity, where my brushes and jewellery box had been neatly arranged. It was breathtaking, I even had my own stool closet, and a small dressing room with large mirrors. I thanked the maids and dismissed them, befo

- Josephine - Aria rushed up behind me in the hallway. “My Lady, I- ““Not here.” We entered our sitting room and Aria quickly shut the door, before following me into my bedroom. I turned to face her, “Well?” She gave me salacious grin, and waved her hand at me. “Come I’ll tell you while we get you ready for bed.” I anxiously removed my jewellery as she began to unlace my dress. “Tell me Aria.” I could feel her smiling behind me. “Well, Lord and Lady Leven seem to be quite genuine. They are involved in several charities and get involved with philanthropy whenever they get a chance. Lord Leven’s family are very wealthy, very very wealthy. His Father and Grandfather were gifted titles and lands by the last King. Lady Leven’s background is more modest, but she and her family have always been involved in high society.” I nodded slowly, “Interesting.” Aria chuckled. “No my lady, it’s the children who are interesting.” I glanced up and met Aria’s gaze in the mirror, “Go on.”“

- Silas - I was sat alone in Father’s study. Anyone else would be upset to work through this beautiful weather, but I had plenty of things to get done, and Tristan certainly wasn’t going to help me do it. I heard a cheerful humming and footsteps approaching. “Good morning Father.” “Silas, you’re up early. Haven’t you got anything better to do than help your old man?” I don’t know why he insists on asking me such ridiculous questions. He knew the answer, so why bother? “No. I want to get ahead of the ledgers before we collect the rents.” “Yes, of course.” He sounded disappointed. Nothing I ever did was good enough. I worked hard, I was well behaved, and still I never earned his praise. Tristan on the other hand swanned in when he felt like it, and continued to fuel the rumour mill, embarrassing our family. And he was still the favourite son. I shrugged off my discontent and returned my focus to the ledgers. “Silas, may I speak with you?” I bobbed my head and stood up, takin

- Silas - The carriage was so bumpy on this bloody country road. I was on my way home against my better judgement. I may be angry with Father, but missing our family dinner would upset Mother, and I couldn’t bear that. Regardless, it wasn’t proper to avoid a household meal when we had a new guest in the home. As we entered the driveway I could feel my body tensing and buckling under the pressure. I looked over the grounds and could see Tristan laughing with the gardeners. He better not be going against my orders. They would certainly listen to him over me, he was far more pleasant. I didn’t give a fuck that people found me cold and unapproachable, as long as they knew I was dependable, that’s what mattered. Anyone can be the clown, but only a few can take charge of what needs to be done. We pulled up to the front of the house and I hurried out of the carriage and up the stairs. I knew Mrs Crook would have seen me return and be straight on me as I entered. I flung open the door an