My Secret Lover

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one could get was silence-sh

to Oakham Manor. She was used to such silence. She had found solace i

art to forgive her someday. If not, she would understand. She could live a life similar to most wives in the Town in which they wake up and go to bed with impassionate husb

deserving heir to her fortune when the time came. She could give it to Adrien or his bastar

elp from her husband. She looked around Pierce Road, a strip that housed

othing compared to the vulgarities and scandalous wa

butler opened th

Wife, meet Crawley," Adrien flatly sa

rmuring, "My lady," as sh

hen he stopped halfway and looked down at where Mary had stood in the middle of the large hallway, his eyes cold and menacing. "I

the tears that stung a

to yourself, she

a short while before he turned away a

hat Mary allowed h

she silently followed him to her chamber. She had seen Adrien turn to the west wing of the manor while Craw

at was his wish,

She immediately grabbed the large portmanteau where she ke

ned and found herself facing a long dressing mirror. The lady who stared back at her was almost a st

o be. She had saved it to be worn on her own wedding day, yet it di

is is all I can do,"

*

ight with another

t now, he told himself. You

his mind. He shook his head with disg

woke up with an intense h

his house and carry his name but she was on her own from now on. He did not even have to see h

House where his friends would be. Ah, most of them would wonder why he was in town and not on a honeymoo

ith alarming news, his oily face

other is

? But he was at my dra

ok on his face. "I know.

home to Easton. Perhaps

e sent an inquiry. I a

come up with anything. And I shall

s aunt and his father were still in residence. They had been planning a long vacation and he could not bloody wait until th

oody hell wa

*

self in an unfamiliar room. It took her a moment to r

yes puffy, and sighed. She ou

t you have no husband. Your name had simply changed and you are now qui

he had

n entered with hesitation. She glanced at Mary and loo

And she could take he

be down

dress," the woman sai

Agatha," she

er with surprise. "Y

"Of course. You he

ile warmly. "Do you need

she ever get us

ure I can manage. Will you send

o whom would you wish

ding my carriage as soon as possible.

. "I shall tell C

ot do it

m afraid I do not know

thoughtfully. "Well, wo

n I ought to learn

h you. Would

ed with glee. "You will?

learn and one cannot do so without learning how to read and write

be grateful to you, my lady. I promise to b

rawley. I shall write the note myself

d her notebooks and writing paraphernalia the night before. She has

to quickly change into

es, one of which was that she could now go out freely

*

of concern. Calan was still missing and he

was nowhere in sight. He went to the kitchen an

e it, Mr. Crawley? I am glad to be lady Mary's lady maid.

she will be kind and generous. Just one look at her and one ought to kn

teaching her lady maid to write an

his presence known to his butler. The lady maid, a young lady with

his face flushed. "I was n

is my

linked. "

ance. There was no great reason why he asked for her location.

ot home,

o you mean she is not home? Whe

and had not returned since." The look of worry on Crawley's face was

nts," he snapped at Crawley. "Inform me at once when she ar

wed. "Yes,

Mary's arrival. The vixen was testing his patience. His brother was missing and it

that she thinks she is on h

s teeth before he stormed out of his study and ordered for his carriage, making u

*

d into her own private study, bedchamber and library after her father died, in

to stop him, M

o be here," Adrien said coldly, his eyes on Mary.

ut

y patience, Ma

othy. "It is fine, T

ated but bowed a

shock, and looked back down on the paper spread out before her. "

had ever stepped inside her room apart from her father. "You must have forgotten

that I am my own person and you have no business to do with me. I understood that to be the fact and ha

I want it, however I wish it. And as you may know, the rules ha

Houses. I have lived her all my life and I am confident that I am safer here than anywhere else. There is no need to act concerned. You are me

man, how could you speak with great calmness and gentlene

t care what you think of me no more, my lord. I merely

my orders while you bear my name and I order you to go home this instant. I will no

you mean Oakham, I shall go the

you shall not receive any protection or concern for me, Mary, for you shall have none. But do come

ists when Adrien left, ban

nger by closing her eyes

and returned to

He does not suspect

oked down at her work. Mary swallowed her anxiety for the thing