Now then. While Leonardo was receiving a severe dressing-down from his mother and brother at the Linden estate, at House Calendula, Chloe's father — the Duke of Calendula — had returned after a long absence. [It's been a while, Chloe. Is all well with you?] (Duke) [It has been some time, Father. Yes, nothing out … Continue reading Chapter 19 — There Would Be No Point in Saying Anything →

Leonardo doesn't know. He doesn't know that the stall he visited sells the cheapest, shoddiest goods in the whole district. There are perfectly good shops selling new, clean merchandise. There are even shops nearby dealing in glass so beautiful you'd take it for jewellery from a distance. And there's no possibility Sherry, who lives in … Continue reading Chapter 18 — Leonardo Panics →

The heavy sound of the door closing echoes dully through the hall. Lamplight wavers, and on the scarlet carpet the son of the house — Leonardo — stands rooted in place. His mother, the Duchess of Linden, sits straight-backed in her chair with her fan resting on her knees, watching him with cold eyes. In … Continue reading Chapter 17 — A Scolding from Mother and Brother →

She arrives at dusk. Chloe hurries to the reception room on the butler's word, and there is her fiancé's mother, the Duchess of Linden, who rises hastily from her chair the moment she sees her. [Lady Chloe…… I beg your forgiveness for descending on you without warning like this!] (D) She bends deeply at the … Continue reading Chapter 16 — The Duchess of Linden’s Apology →

Autumn light falls softly across the marble terrace. Bathed in that golden sun, the ladies wear gowns of fine silk with jewels at their throats and in their hair. Delicate vine patterns rise along the rims of the white porcelain tea service, and amber tea steams in the cups. Today is the tea party of … Continue reading Chapter 15 — A Tea Party in Uproar →

A room deep inside the Calendula estate, filled with the light of dusk. Chloe sits alone in the chair by the window. The curtains stir in the breeze, and the golden light slanting in casts a faint glow over her porcelain skin. In her hands is a letter. Good paper, but no wax seal and … Continue reading Chapter 14 — A Gift from Leonardo →

[What is that face for……? Surely you aren't about to say something ridiculous, like that you'd rather not?] (D) [N-Nothing of the sort! ……It's only that I don't know what one gives a woman. You'd know a woman's tastes well, wouldn't you, Mother?] (L) [Ho ho…… You aren't about to say something as pitiful as … Continue reading Chapter 13 — An Unthinkable Suggestion →

After an evening of trading barbs with the other guests, Leonardo returns to the estate carrying his irritation with him. Waiting to receive him is his mother — the Duchess of Linden — with her anger visibly held in check. [Welcome home, Leonardo.] (Duchess) [Ah…… Mother, I've returned……] (L) [There's something I wish to discuss. … Continue reading Chapter 12 – The Anger of Duchess Linden →

'——This might be bad...' Leonardo has never felt this uneasy in his life. Ever since the argument with his fiancée at that soirée, Chloe hasn't shown her face once. She won't even answer his letters. Nothing like this has ever happened before. And Chloe has never, not a single time, said anything to defy him. … Continue reading Chapter 11 — A Nobleman Who Isn’t Very Bright →

After that soirée, no matter how earnestly Leonardo pleaded to see her, Chloe never agreed. However many times the Linden messenger came with letters, she politely refused every one of them and never once accepted delivery. Even knowing he'd given his love to another woman, she had intended to go on playing the fiancée, at … Continue reading Chapter 10 — Chloe Wakes Up →