A Chance With You by Paula Camille Wong (the snowy day read aloud TXT) 📖

He caged her against the wall. Her vision became blurry and was filled with nothing but him. His manly scent invaded her nostrils, immediately sending fire throughout her veins. How she yearned for him over the years. For his touch, for his caress. And now he's here... offering his lips.

He bended down to take her lips in his but before he can, with all her strength and might, she flattened her palms on his masculine chest and pushed. Hard.

He stumbled back, shocked. No woman had pushed him away before. But for some odd reason, she did. Was she not attracted to him at all?

Her breathing heaved, chest rising and falling rapidly.

"Come on now. Just one abrupt kiss. Why do you refuse?"

Because once, I loved you. I longed for you. To hold me. To bring me happiness. But it wasn't me you loved. You never loved me.

She didn't know what undid her more. The heat of his gaze when he looked at her or the effect of his touch that coursed through her veins after years of feeling numb.

June 18, 1815

Jane Andres Parker sighed as she viewed herself in front of the mirror. This can be the only night where she can be herself. Where she can be free.

And surely she will take advantage of that.

Her long blonde hair was tied up into a high neat bun, soft blonde curls escaping its pins masking her beautiful face. She looked rather better now than she had looked in other dresses. Yes, she is the Marchioness of Birmingham, a rich title indeed.

But that is just it. It is merely a title.

She did not have the fortune, or the power. Instead, the fortune and power belonged to her mother and step-father. It is strange indeed. Because sometimes, she felt like she was Cinderella, off of the fairy tales. At home, she can never be free. It has always been her family. In truth, since her real father had died, she was left with her mother, Stephenie. She was a kind and gentle woman. But when she had married her step father, George, everything changed dramatically. She stopped caring for Jane all together.

Jane was the daughter of the Marquess of Birmingham, and luckily, she was an only child. Her father was an only child as well, so there was no legitimate heir. Except for her of course.
So the title was passed to her at only the age of sixteen. But there were lots to be done. They had to go through series of documents to documents until finally a decision was made. The title and fortune will have to wait until she had reached the age of eighteen. Her mother was signed to be the parent to decide if she is ready to take the responsibilities.

So the day she turned exactly eighteen, that is what Stephenie announced. She was ready. But in truth, she was not. Stephenie did not teach her anything. Only told her that she will handle the rest. Just accept the title and keep her mouth quiet. Now five years later, she still is her mother's little pawn.

But tonight she will be free.

Even for just a couple of hours, she can experience what she had always wanted to experience. When an aristocratic member invited her and her family, she did not get to enjoy herself at all. Instead, she felt shackled. Everywhere she turned to in the past balls; their eyes were always glued to her. Watching her every move, watching who she is talking to.

Tonight. Tonight will be different. Tonight is a different ball. It was a masquerade ball. Her identity will be hidden and no one will know her. It is true that her family will attend but they will not notice that she attends. Right now they probably think that she is too sick to attend. In bed with numerous numbers of cloth and blankets around her small bedroom. But thankfully, her maid and footman manage to come up with a plan to bring her all the way here. At first she opposed the plan of course, but when they told her all the reasons why this was a good idea she was in.

She had to admit, deceiving is not one of her special skills. But somehow, she managed to accomplish it at that. Now here she is, nervously setting on her dark green mask that matched her beautifully handmade sea green ball gown. The dress and mask brought out her skin complexion which was an oddly pale white color. Her emerald stone eyes under long dark lashes.

"You look beautiful mistress. Surely you will be the most outstanding female in the ball. And maybe this time, you can be able to woo a husband," Temera, her trusted maid and friend smiled.
Jane smiled and touched the diamond necklace around her neck. The jewels shining whenever light hit its way, the same earrings dangling down her ear. "I do not think I can wear this Temera. It is too expensive."

Her friend smiled and waved a hand through the air. "Nonsense. You earned it. And I trust you. This is the night where you can be yourself. Where you can find happiness even if it is a little amount of time."

She nodded in agreement and walked over to her, taking both of her hands in her own. "This could never have happen if it wasn't for you and Miguel's idea to bring me here. Thank you so much. I will never forget this,"

Temera nodded smiling. "And ye better not my lady. After the painful way your own family treated you. OH I still do not understand why you would not report this to the authorities. They deserve to be punished."

Jane shushed her, a sad smile forming on her soft, natural red lips. "Even when father died, my mother gladly took me in. She did not leave me in the streets where some parents would. I am grateful that she put a roof over my head and food, so that I wouldn't go hungry,"

She frowned softly. "You are too nice milady. Even if the devil himself was brought up against you, you would never resort to punishment. You are just like your father,"

"And I am glad to be," She was told that by everyone she knows so many numerous amounts of time. And she is glad she is just like her father. Even though she inherited her mother's facial features, she also inherited her father's courage, wisdom, knowledge, and love. Her father is the only reason how she managed to overcome all of the difficult tasks Stephenie made her do. And for that she is thankful. "I do hope the members of the Sapphire Roses attend the ball."

Temera chuckled. "Of course they will. God forbid if you seven will be separate then all hell will break loose,"

Jane laughed. It is true. When her father was alive, he had encouraged her to join some sort of women's club so that she can be able to enjoy herself. In fact, if she couldn't manage to find a club she should create her own and she did. When she attended the England's Boarding School For Young Females, she had made a couple of good friends. And till now she had been with them. All of them agreed to join the club. The Sapphire Roses club was about this group of women who would wait until their special prince charming would whisk them off of their feet and take them away to their castle. Yes, it may sound odd and strange but that was what the club was meant for.

True it did sound childish but they all knew that somewhere deep inside their heart that someone out there was waiting for them. Someone who would dedicate themselves to them.

But unfortunately seven years later, there was still no success. Unfortunately, each of their hearts has been broken so many numerous times that they just gave up on love. If it wasn't for Jane's courage and reasoning the club would be disassemble right now and she will have no safe heaven.

The emotion of guilt suddenly rose in her stomach and settled there. It has been a couple of months since she hadn't attended. Mostly and again, it was the fault of her family. Stephenie, George, and her younger sister Margaret all thought that the club was foolish and should be destroyed. Each week they send letters asking if Jane was alright and if she is coming but each letter that was sent was never answered.

George would destroy them in front of her face. When she did try to speak her mind, her punishment was no food for a whole week. She would be placed in her room, the door locked with nothing but the dusts to entertain her. Thankfully, Miguel and Temera were around so she wouldn't be alone. They offered to bring the letters she writes to them and the letters they send to her. It was a generous offer and she accepted immediately. They gave her small trays of food so she would starve in the whole week. Jane had said it so many times, that she owes them her life but they dismiss it with a smile. Instead they said. 'Someday, you will find a way to escape this whole cruelty. Instead you find shelter in the arms of the person you love and you will forget this ever happened.'

Still Jane had no sense of what that little heed meant but hopefully, they will explain it to her. "I do hope they will be here. I can't wait until I see them again. All I heard of them was from the letters."

Temera nodded smiling. "Then you better get going, the ball is already starting. Do be careful, remember. Your family will be there so be cautious on your surroundings. Don't be so obvious." She went behind Jane and tried to push her out of the room and into the hallway. They had managed to sneak in an inn where the ball was only held a few blocks away from where they were at the moment. She walked Jane onto the carriage. It was simple.

Miguel, her footman, was waiting there patiently smiling when he caught sight of her. "You look beautiful are you ready?"

Jane nodded and with Temera's assisted, stepped on the carriage and closed the small door, securing her in place. "Do not forget mistress, when the clock strikes after midnight you must go. Your parents and sister will be heading home by then. Good luck and I wish you well.