Chapter 316
After too many glasses of wine, Morwenna's usual facade of toughness melted away, leaving her vulnerable and seeking comfort like a kitten in need of affection. Stuart, ever the gentleman, scooped up the barefoot Morwenna in his arms. Carefully, he placed her on a chair, knelt down with a warm towel, and gently wiped and massaged her feet. This simple act of kindness made Morwenna's heart swell. For a moment, she felt cherished, as if there had always been someone there to love and care for her— a feeling so foreign yet deeply craved due to her innate loneliness and yearning for affection. It was no surprise she found herself falling for Stuart so easily, his every gesture treasured in her heart. All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.
As Stuart held her delicate foot, his outward calmness belied the turmoil within, his desire clawing at his restraint. Suddenly, he lowered his head and pressed a kiss to the back of Morwenna's foot, an act so intimate that it left her startled and frozen, unsure of how to react.
Meanwhile, at the doorway, a pair of eyes watched the scene unfold with a piercing gaze. Rose had brought Adelaide back to the family's ancestral home, a place Adelaide was familiar with due to her past visits with Mr. Hetfield. Despite the family's orders preventing the Hetfields from returning, the guards hadn't dared stop the young mistress from entering with a guest. If Orson had been around, he might have objected, but he was currently elsewhere, being lectured by his uncle.
Rose, with a hint of mischief, informed Adelaide about Stuart and Morwenna's room, suggesting she stay out of their way and focus on her task of tutoring Rose's sister the next day. Adelaide, her fists clenched in her sleeves, could only nod in agreement, her heart heavy with unspoken emotions.
Rose's intentions were clear; she wanted to disturb Morwenna's peace, unwilling to see her receive their grandfather's favor without challenge. She doubted the long-standing relationship between Stuart and Adelaide could remain unaffected by these developments.
Adelaide spent a long time in her room, wrestling with her thoughts. Stuart was so close, yet the presence of another woman by his side tormented her. Eventually, curiosity and turmoil drove her to Stuart's door, where she heard nothing from within. The silence only fueled her desire to see for herself, leading her to peek through the slightly ajar door.
The sight that greeted her was beyond her worst fears—Stuart, the man she had always admired from afar, was kneeling before another woman, kissing her foot. Adelaide covered her mouth to muffle her gasp, her eyes burning with a mix of disbelief and venomous jealousy. How could Stuart, the man who always seemed so unattainable, lower himself in such a way for another woman?