853 Results with the "Fiction" genre


    • Chapter XXIII — The Park Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter XXIII - The Park begins with Agnes finding herself unexpectedly excluded from the morning’s routines at Ashby Park. Denied both breakfast and the comfort of the library, she accepts Lady Ashby’s invitation for a walk, anticipating perhaps a simple distraction from her discomfort. What follows instead is a revealing glimpse into the emotional cost of Lady Ashby’s new title and role. Once the lively Miss Murray, Lady Ashby is now confined in a marriage devoid of affection or shared values. As…
      Fiction • Novel
    • Chapter XXIII — The Circus Boys on the Mississippi Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter XXIII begins with Phil Forrest stepping onto the deck of the Mississippi steamboat, greeted by clapping passengers still buzzing from his rescue. Wrapped in a borrowed officer’s uniform, Phil receives accolades with grace, his humility drawing more admiration. During breakfast, he gives a brief but earnest speech, sidestepping heroism and turning the spotlight on the Great Sparling Shows. His genuine demeanor adds to the mystique, sparking interest in the circus among river travelers. Reporters…
    • Chapter XXII — The woman in the Alcove Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter XXII - The woman in the Alcove draws back the final veil on the story’s darkest truth, revealing the tangled depths of guilt, passion, and retribution. In the midst of tense confrontation, Mr. Grey forces a reckoning as he presents a stiletto to the accused—a gesture that cuts deeper than any blade. Fairbrother, stunned into silence, is cornered not just by accusation, but by the memory of what he has done. The name "Grizel," uttered from his own lips in a moment of emotional fracture, seals…
    • Chapter XXII — The Visit Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter XXII - The Visit begins with Agnes arriving at Ashby Park, where the grandeur of the estate immediately reveals the cost of Rosalie’s ambition. The carefully maintained grounds, imposing mansion, and luxurious decor symbolize the height of material achievement, yet Agnes senses a quiet discomfort beneath the surface. Rosalie, once spirited and flirtatious, now carries herself with a polished indifference that thinly veils dissatisfaction. Her tone alternates between pride in her wealth and subtle…
      Fiction • Novel
    • Chapter XXII — The Circus Boys on the Mississippi Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter XXII opens with a quiet moment turned chaotic as Phil Forrest, deep in thought while walking the deck of the steamer "Marie," is abruptly sent overboard. In an instant, the wooden planks beneath his feet vanish, and he is thrust into the cold, dark embrace of the Mississippi River. The fall catches him off guard, but his instincts guide him as he aligns his body midair for a safer impact. Hitting the water knocks the breath out of him, but panic is held at bay. He has trained for danger under the…
    • Chapter XXI — The woman in the Alcove Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter XXI - The woman in the Alcove opens with the narrator caught in a quiet storm of realization. After Mr. Grey’s exit, doubt gnaws at what once felt like certainty. The narrator, who once saw in Miss Grey a figure of suspicion, now begins to grasp the depth of the young woman’s loyalty and love for her father. This growing awareness makes prior assumptions feel fragile, even misguided. Their investigation into Mrs. Fairbrother’s murder, once so focused on uncovering guilt through cold…
    • Chapter XXI — The School Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter XXI - The School marks a quiet but meaningful shift in Agnes’s life as she settles into a new rhythm alongside her mother in the town of A-. Their shared project—a modest school for girls—begins with only a few students, but its significance lies not in numbers, rather in the independence and dignity it offers. Unlike her earlier roles where her efforts were often undervalued, Agnes now has the freedom to educate with kindness, patience, and integrity. Her days are busy but fulfilling, and…
      Fiction • Novel
    • Chapter XXI — The Circus Boys on the Mississippi Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter XXI begins with tension and humor mingling on the Mississippi as Teddy Tucker finds himself nursing a sprained wrist after a scuffle with a mischievous baboon. Though temporarily removed from performance duties, his energy remains unshaken. Rather than sulk, he becomes obsessed with the recent theft of his cherished egg—a symbol of comfort and pride. Teddy’s curious nature turns investigative, prompting questions about who might have taken it and why. His interactions with Mr. Sparling reflect…
    • Chapter XX — The woman in the Alcove Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter XX - The woman in the Alcove takes place in a hushed stretch of night where suspicion moves as quietly as the boat beneath Sweetwater’s feet. Cloaked in shadows and driven by urgency, Sweetwater and Mr. Grey depart in pursuit of Wellgood, a man wanted by the police and tangled in layers of mystery. Moonlight flickers across the water, offering just enough visibility to keep them locked on their silent quarry. Sweetwater, more than a valet yet less than a full partner, must balance his role…
    • Chapter XX — The witch and other Stories Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter XX unfolds at the edge of Obrutchanovo, where the village and the encroaching signs of modernity meet in a quiet yet profound collision. The once undisturbed pastureland begins to shift in character as the bridge takes form nearby, reshaping not just the terrain but the daily rhythm of the people. What was once known only for grazing livestock now reflects sunlight from glass ornaments and echoes with the sound of construction and ambition. To the villagers, these changes evoke both wonder and a…
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