Jessica Maese

Excerpt from Chapter 5
          
          “As you see, Lady Valecourt, the paintings for the exhibition are nearly finished,” Lady Ravensmere replied calmly. “The exhibition catalogue, however, still requires final review before the event. I fear I must deprive myself of further delightful conversation rather soon.”
          
          The dismissal proved unmistakable.
          
          Unfortunately, the lady appeared unwilling to depart with equal grace.
          
          “Quite understandable,” she replied. “Though I suppose practical matters have always required your attention.”
          
          The sweetness in the woman's voice had become unmistakably poisonous.
          
          Arthur felt a surge of anger.
          
          “Mr. Marlowe left you a considerable fortune, did he not? Not to mention rescuing your family from its dire financial troubles.”
          
          “How convenient that both of them proved so considerate. Especially your first husband.”
          
          Arthur's attention remained fixed on the insult for several seconds. He found himself contemplating the social consequences of pushing an elderly lady into a rosebush.
          
          Then the meaning of her last words finally reached him.
          
          First husband.
          
          Arthur stared toward the greenhouse.
          
          First. 
          
          Husband.

NEW CHAPTER. In this chapter, Arthur discovers that gossip travels considerably faster than the British postal service and is even harder to stop once it arrives. 

@ Erikasummersd  true, some are really entertaining ☺️

          I love romantic novels, movies, and TV series, and I've probably read or watched thousands of them over the years. I also write fiction in my spare time.
          One thing I've always been curious about is stories where the main couple has only known each other for a week—or maybe two at most—and by the end they're promising eternal love, unwavering devotion, and a lifetime together.
          As a reader, I often struggle to believe that kind of emotional certainty can develop so quickly. As a writer, I find myself wondering what motivates authors to choose that approach. Is it meant to emphasize destiny, intense attraction, or the emotional fantasy that romance often offers?
          For readers who enjoy these stories, what appeals to you about them? Do you see the short timeline as part of the fantasy, or do you simply focus more on the emotional connection than the amount of time the characters have spent together?
          I'm genuinely interested in hearing different perspectives. 
          This version invites discussion rather than criticism, so readers who enjoy that trope are more likely to engage positively.