Romance, Seduction, Torment, all take place in the Victorian era, within the brothel called The King's Court. Will Maria find love in Lord Valo's hand and will he open his heart, even if his soul is haunted by guilt and pain from the past. This is a...
Let's get everyone a present this year," Maria said. They had chosen to go during the late evening, accompanied of course by some guards, as the crowds were too difficult to navigate during the day during the holidays.
She had enough money to buy presents now for every person in her life. It was all thanks to Lord Valo. But the situation with him hurt so much at the moment that she tried not to ponder on him for too long, though she did hope to pick a present that was meaningful to him.
The girls were happily discussing what to get their loved ones and sharing their woes, such as having to get up every hour to a crying Alexi Jr., and Maria having more lessons added to her schedule.
It was also hard missing Diana, Peter, and their friends, and living in different environments. Maria shared her experience of the latest happening with Angel.
She told her that Lord Valo was a good man, that she should be patient, that maybe he would see reason soon.
Maria waited while Angel went inside the store to get Alexi's gift, they had come across a lovely store with all sorts of memorabilia and collectibles.
However, seeing Angel picking the present happily for her husband and baby, hurt her. She felt ugly for feeling this, Angel deserved this happiness.
However, tears were threatening to leave her eyes and she excused herself for a moment walking outside.
Jason's spies saw them from far away, it would be so easy to catch her, though they were not too sure about the redhead, from what they had heard she was not easily fooled.
Still, Captain Dani said he would take care of it. They watched as one of them exited the store and took out a handkerchief, wiping her tears.
Of course, they had already taken care of the guards, and by the time someone found out, it would be too late.
The other girl was still inside the store to pick up something and this one was alone, and they knew what to do.
Maria was still sobbing when a little boy came up to her, he looked raggedy and was crying too.
"Ms. I am sorry so sorry to bother you but I lost my little sister," the boy said crying and tugging at Maria's skirts.
"Oh my, are you sure she is not with your mother? We can go find her? Maria said, wiping her tears, how could she be crying when there was suffering in the world?
"No mum or dad we are orphans Ms., nay I looked away when I was getting some food for us, and then was gone!" Please help me find her!" the child insisted. Maria's heart turned to mush.
She had a soft spot for orphans. She had been one. The boy looked like he had not eaten in days, and his poor sister, if he was the one in charge of her.
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She hoped the guards or Angel would not mind, they had gone to take a break and Angel was inside the store, no doubt taking her time to find the perfect gift.
She couldn't just stand here and do nothing. "I will go with you, but after that, I will feed you both," she said as she followed the little boy. "Thank you oh my thank you ma'am but we gotta hurry.
She is sick and she can't be without me for too long," he said crying as Maria followed him further down the road, after a while Maria was scared she was not going to find the girl or her way back as he skipped along alleys and houses, yelling for his sister.
"Anne! Anne! where are you!" he cried as Maria also called out to her. It was as they got to a darker side of town where the lights were dimmer, that Maria began to panic. "We should just go to the guards, we can find her easier!" Maria said.
The boy turned and smiled, as someone threw a coin bag into the nearby roof, the light glinted off it, he ran after it stuck his tongue out at Maria.
That is when she felt a thud on the back of her head knocking her cold on the cobbled floor, as the men picked her up, hoping Dani's men had done their part.
