Willow beamed at Michael
at Michael and nodded. “Much better”
Sering Willow’s innocent, childlike demeanor, Michael felt his heart sohen a bit. “I jout you for dinner tonight,” he said tenderly.
“Really?” Willow burst into tears, throwing herself into Michael’s arms and sobbing “Michael, do you know how heartbroken I’ve been because you ignored me? Every day, I dreamed you’d come see me, but you never did”
Willow’s tears fell heavily on Michael, each drop serting a pang of pain through his heart.
Michael slowly reached out and softly patted Willow’s back “It’s all my fault,” he murmured gently. “There, now, don’t cry”
Willow,realining
status was different now, quickly stopped her tears.
Willow joyfully instructed Nona, “Tell the kitchen to prepare a feast. Tonight, my husband and I will share a drink together.”
ine Willow to
favored, Nona was even more delighted than her mistress
Seeing
With a quick curtsy, the hurried off to make the arrangements
ow back to he
Just as Michael was about to escort Willow back to her courtyard, the butler approached and bowed respectfully. “My Lord, Lady Osborne requests your presence.”
“Alright, go now.” Michael tumed to Willow. “Mother has summoned me–probably for some discussion. You go back first join you shortly”
Willow really didn’t want to see Kelsey. When she heard Michael’s words, a genuine wave of relief washed over her. “Alright, I’ll do as you say, my lord,” she replied.
Escorted by her maid, Willow returned to her courtyard, while Michael headed for Kelsey’s quarters.
When he arrived, Kelsey was sitting stiffly on the settee, her face stern.
Noticing her stern expression, Michael asked, “Mother, did someone upset you?”
Kelsey put on a stem face and scolded, “Michael, you’ve been utterly disgraceful lately. You’re a manied man now, yet you still keep lingering around
Athena”
*Mother, have you
heard some gossip” Michael’s brow furrowed slightly as he admitted to himself, still can’t let go of Athena”
He couldn’t control his feelings for Athena, but he never meant to affect her
All he wanted to
ed to know was h
show Athena was doing.
Now that these rumors have reached Kelsey’s ears, he supposed they must be quite vicious.
Kelsey sorted coldly. “I used to feel sorry for her, thinking she was just neglected in this household. But now, as the saying goes, the pitied often have their own faults. Look at her–she went and pushed Fiona to get a divorce for no good reason. Tell me, what kind of decent woman would do such a thing?”
Michael’s face darkened instantly. “Mother, where did you hear such nonsense? Fiona and Nicolas’s divorce is their own business–why drag Athena into
Suddenly recalling that Eloise had visited today, Michael asked, “Could it be that my mother in law said something to you?
Kelsey hastily denied, “Nonsense! She only came to visit me today. Eloise is Athena’s mather–how could the possibly spread such rumors? No mother would ever harm her own child”
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Michael said firmly, “Mother, these are just baseless rumors without a shred of evidence–how can you believe them? As a woman of the household yourself, you know how vital a lady’s reputation is. Such words must never be spoken again.”
Michael’s defense of Athena only made Kelsey even more unhappy.
Helsey thought to herself, if Michael kept going like this, who kn
twhen he and Athena might rekindle their old name.”
Kelsey’s face was grim as she spoke stemily, “Michael, I’m not being meddlesome, but now that you’re the Marquis and married, your focus should be on your family and household affairs Stay away from those improper entanglements outside the farther, the better.”
Michael understood the implication of her words–Kelsey was warning him to stay away from Athena.
Michael didn’t want Kelsey to misunderstand, so he nodded and replied placatingly, “Understood, Mother. You needn’t worry. I’ve got it covered.”
“Your duty now is to have a child with Willow as soon as possible to continue the Osborne lineage,” Kelsey urged with a warm smile. “That way,I can become a grandmother sooner
Michael
(nodded perfunctorily. “Understood
Michael rose to his foot and said, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll go check on Willow?
Pleased to see he had taken her advice to heart, Kelsay cheerfully said, “Okay, go ahead then”
Michael turned and left. The moment he stepped out of the courtyard, his expression darkened.
He summoned the butter and demanded, “What did Willow say to Mother?”
The butler’s face drained of color as he shook his head frantically. “Lady Willow didn’t say anything improper, sir,” he stammered. “She was just having a
casual conversation with y your mother.”
He wouldn’t dare tell Michael the truth–with that temper of his, he’d turn the entire Osborne household upside down.
Michael’s eyes darkened as he listened. Without a word, he turned on his heel and walked away.
Willow waited anxiously until dusk, but Michael still hadn’t returned.
She sent a servant to ask. Soon, the footman returned and reported respectfully, “Lord Osbome said he still has official duties to attend to tonight and
asked you to eat first”
Willow’s eyes widened in shock. “What? Michael clearly promised he’d have dinner with me–how could he do this?”
The footman didn’t dare say a word, keeping his head bowed to in fearful silence.
Willow’s eyes instantly welled up with tears. Unable to hold back any longer, she stood up and walked out. “Tigo ask him myself!” she shouted.
Since their wedding Michael had always found excuses to stay in his study. He didn’t even spend their wedding night with Willow.
Willow thought to herself, “Our relationship had only just started to improve today, and now he’s suddenly cold again. Why on earth is that?
Willow was utterly heartbroken. Limping heavily, she dragged her injured leg as she made her way out
Moments later, W Willow arrived at the study, limping heavily with each step.
Just as
as Willow was about to enter, an attendant stepped in front of her and said respectfully, I’m sorry, Lady Willow, but you can’t go in.”
Feeling utterly humiliated, Willow straightened up with all the authority of the lady of the house and snapped, “You lowly servant! How dare you block me? I am the young mistress of the Osborne family!”
“My lady, please calm down. These are Lord Osbome’s orders.
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willow’s face drained of color as she recoiled in disbelief. “My lord,” she gasped, “is he truly trying to stop me?”
The attendant delivered Michael’s message, “The lord asked you to carefully consider whether you have spoken out of turn and come to him only after you’ve reflected on yourself.”
Willow antically searched her memory. I didn’t say anything wEDDE. did I she thought anriously,
‘All I did today was have a long, casual chat with my mother–in–law, and the only person leven mentioned was Athena. But I was actually defending Athena Willow thought indignantly.
Willow thought bitterly, ‘So Michael’s protecting Athena to the point that I am not even allowed to mention her name?”
Tears streamed down Willow’s cheeks as she started toward Michael, ready to explain herself. But then Eloise’s words echoed in her mind, making her
stop dead in her tracks.
Willow
thought bitterly, “Mom was right. I really can’t be too nice to a man!
She needed to give Michael a wake–up call–to make him realize he wasn’t indispensable to her.
Back when Athena was practically throwing herself at him, Michael was aloof, too.
Only when Athena stopped wanting him did Michael start to panic
Now the tables had turned. Michael was chasing aher Athena.
Willow straightened her posture, decision firm. She snapped at the attendant, “Go tell him. I didn’t do anything wrong. If he doubts me, he can investigate. There’s no need for such humiliating tactics.” With that, she held her head high and strode away.
AD
