"Bennett love

Beneath t

on the balcony of her family's sprawling estate, the crisp autumn breeze tousling her auburn hair. Below her, the

must uphold the family name." It was the same speech she'd heard since c

omething beyond the grandeur and the suffocating rules of high society. H

in?" a voice cal

g casually against the doorway. His mischievous grin wa

ng," she rep

gaze following hers to the horizon.

despite hersel

he teased. But his tone softened as he added, "You dese

tood her, even when no one else did. But before she could res

r's guests," Henry muttered

s was another burden she bore. None of them saw her for

re," she whispered, more

"Go. I'll co

hrough the servant's entrance. The streets of Everdale were quiet as she wandered aimlessly, savoring the an

elia moved from one painting to the next, losing herself in the vibrant colors and e

e canvas, his back to her. His dark hair was tousled, and his paint-str

he asked, not

ht off guard. "I...

e of green that seemed to see right through he

xplicable connection. "Art is

of his lips. "True. It's alwa

the constraints of society. Amelia didn't know his name, and he di

elia reluctantly glanced a

press for details. "M

he said wi

me in years, something stirred within her-a whisper of possibility, of something beyond the

ced. But as she lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, her

freedom isn't as f

: A Chanc

window. The previous night's encounter lingered in her mind, the memory of th

ra, greeted as she entered with a t

up, brushing her hair out of her f

heon at noon with the Whitmores.

ly friends, and their son, Edward, was yet another s

aid with a forced smi

ape, if only for a little while. After dressing in a simple yet elegant gow

town square. Stalls lined the cobblestone streets, offering everything from fresh produc

local landmarks. She admired the detail, her fingers brus

buying?" a fami

e artist from the gallery. Today, he looked more rel

a smile tugging at her lips

side project. Hel

re to his story but didn't

tudying her. "I didn't ca

d for a mome

f, offering a hand. "It's n

electric passed between them. Amelia fel

he asked, motioning to the sketches

risk. But the thrill of the unknown was

k her to a secluded garden behind the old library, a place most locals had forgott

," Amelia whispered

Leo admitted. "Quiet. Pea

arned that Leo had grown up in Everdale but had spent time traveling, capturing the world through

d, turning the conversation ba

. "Not as exciting as yours, I'm afraid. Ju

ful. "I think you already have. Y

d faded away. But before either could speak, the dista

antly, rising to her feet. "My

expression unreadable.

etween duty and desire.

nto her shoulders. But for the first time in a long while, she also f

the beginning of a love that would