167 Results with the "Literary Fiction" genre


    • A Liberal Education Cover
      by LovelyMay A Liberal Education opens with Dolly Foster observing Phil Meadows, now a polished member of society, pass her by on the Row without the slightest nod of recognition. This moment stirs a reflective irritation in her, as she recounts to Mr. Carter how, just a few years earlier, he was a socially awkward and hopeless figure. Meadows once carried an unrolled umbrella and a brown paper parcel, wore ill-fitting clothes, and approached life with a sense of grim earnestness. He neither smoked nor drank, and his…
    • Cordial Relations Cover
      by LovelyMay Cordial Relations begins with Mr. Carter paying a visit to Miss Dolly Foster, who is soon to become Lady Mickleham. In his hand is a farewell token—a broken pearl heart encrusted with rubies and diamonds, offered half in jest and half in lingering sentiment. The gift is not just a decorative trinket; it subtly signals the fractured affection he still holds for her. Dolly, never one to dwell too long on sentimentality, accepts it with an amused eye and a quip, diverting attention away from any deeper…
    • Chapter

      Retribution

      Retribution Cover
      by LovelyMay Retribution begins with Mr. Carter firmly deciding to adopt a more prudent approach, particularly regarding Dolly Foster, whose flair for mischief often drags him into public spectacle. His resolve is tested almost immediately when he's summoned to meet Lady Mickleham, the formidable mother of Dolly’s fiancé. Their meeting unfolds with a cold politeness, heavy with scrutiny as Lady Mickleham methodically examines him through her pince-nez, a symbolic gesture of judgment as much as a practical accessory.…
    • The Perverseness of It Cover
      by LovelyMay The Perverseness of It begins with Mr. Carter accompanying Miss Nellie Phaeton on a brisk carriage ride through the Park, their lively conversation sparking with wit and layered meanings. Miss Phaeton’s energy contrasts Carter’s composed demeanor, yet they match intellectually, their banter circling the nuances of affection and societal ambition. She pokes at the contradictions of love and marriage, suggesting that romantic inclinations often crumble under the weight of expectations and fortune.…
    • A Matter of Duty Cover
      by LovelyMay A Matter of Duty opens with Mr. Carter being beckoned by Lady Mickleham, newly returned from her honeymoon and eager to confide in someone familiar. She is learning the complexities of married life, particularly those involving her husband Archie's family, whose strong personalities come wrapped in polite expectations. Dolly shares her struggle with their traditions—many outdated, some peculiar—and the pressure to adapt while maintaining her own individuality. The dowager, in particular, overwhelms her…
    • Chapter

      My Last Chance

      My Last Chance Cover
      by LovelyMay My Last Chance begins with an air of finality, as Mrs. Hilary Musgrave lays out her terms with a tone that suggests she’s had enough. Mr. Carter is given one last opportunity to redeem his romantic record by winning over Miss Sophia Milton—a woman of admirable qualities, wealth, and a certain quiet sophistication. Mrs. Hilary paints Miss Milton as cultured, independent, and earnest, though not without her quirks. She plays the piano, reads Browning with devotion, and has opinions on government affairs.…
    • The Little Wretch Cover
      by LovelyMay The Little Wretch begins with Mrs. Hilary Musgrave sternly condemning young Johnny Tompkins, labeling him with disdain for his past indiscretions. To her, Johnny represents wasted potential and a dangerous flirtation with crime, especially after he embezzled nearly a thousand pounds. The fact that he wasn’t prosecuted, thanks to Hilary Musgrave’s influence, unsettles her more than she lets on. Mr. Carter, however, adopts his usual inquisitive charm, prodding gently at Mrs. Musgrave’s harsh…
    • An Expensive Privilege Cover
      by LovelyMay An Expensive Privilege begins with the narrator caught between two strong personalities—Mrs. Hilary Musgrave and Lady Mickleham. What unfolds is a social skirmish, not of great consequence to the world, but monumental within their tight-knit aristocratic circle. The narrator is perplexed by Mrs. Hilary’s coldness, particularly since she is typically gracious and generous in judgment. However, her indignation this time appears justified. The issue centers on a party where Miss Phyllis, young and…
    • A Very Dull Affair Cover
      by LovelyMay A Very Dull Affair begins in the comfortable drawing room of Mrs. Hilary Musgrave’s home, where conversation flows gently between the narrator, the hostess, her husband Hilary, and young Miss Phyllis. As tea is poured and pleasantries exchanged, Mrs. Hilary makes a bold assertion—her love for Hilary is steadfast and unmatched, a declaration made with such earnestness that it halts the narrator’s usual witticisms. Sensing an opportunity for diversion, she begins to recount the story of their…
    • Strange, But True Cover
      by LovelyMay Strange, But True begins in the unlikely setting of a quiet luncheon between the narrator and his usually exuberant cousin, George. The change in George's demeanor is immediate—gone is the boyish humor, replaced by a kind of tragic introspection that puzzles the narrator. As they take a walk through the Oxford Park, George confesses to being hopelessly in love, though his declaration carries more despair than joy. He likens the condition to being trapped in “Hades,” yet he admits he would not trade…
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