The Billionaire's Nemesis

s rolling gently in the distance. A light breeze rustled the leaves of the tall oak and maple trees

9 years. She pressed her hand against the cool glass pane, imagining what it migh

ew minutes under his close watch. But Lord Henri Beaumont refused to even entertain such a

velvety petal of a rose would feel like between her fingertips or the tickle of grass on her b

artled from her reverie b

g over there dream

air pulled back severely beneath her white linen cap. Tatiana

iring the view,"

. "It's time you stopped wasting time on such

eir father's restrictive rules. She had embraced her role as mistr

ning from the window. She knew Ariana meant well

w, lost again in bittersweet day

ws. Father informed me he has arranged for yo

at? No! Father cannot just marry me of

family. This match will bring greater prestige and fortune to our house. You would do wel

dare they barter her away like chattel! She would not be chai

, and three maidservants entered. The

your father has instructed us to help you

ride-to-be's body before marriage. She wanted no part of such tra

ing orders. With a resigned sigh, she w

r. Tatiana stood rigidly, watching their preparations. She cared little for their fussing and

and flower petals strewn across the surface. The

e said tersely, turning her back to

he you thoroughly as part of the ritua

"I am fully capable of bathing alone! I

inge of guilt but refused to back down. This was her last stan

etting out an involuntary sigh as the warmth enveloped her. She

er reverie. Mrs. Bertram sto

for the maids to wash the body of the bride-to-b

now, they would not grant h

us to complete the ritual so we do not face punishment. A

efiance. With a resigned nod, she relinquished, leaning back so the maids could lather soap over her h

to fetch towels. "It is a grave wrong for one as lowly as me to doubt the i

the most intimate of ways," T

h a clap. "Miss Tatiana, you w

Tatiana's arms and torso. The other, hands nimble and reverent, cleaned her feet, whispering blessings of fertility with ea

wever, held a flicker of sympathy that Tatiana dared not acknowledge. The rhythmic chanting

r petals, Miss Tatiana, a symbol of new beginnings and purity." She reached into the water, gingerly picking up

, startling everyone. The younger maid jumped, her hand

ce from outside. "Lord Beaumont requests Miss T

uld possibly be so urgent it couldn't wait until after the ritual?

ructed, her voice surprisingly firm. "The purification ritual

d, "With all due respect, Mrs. Bertram, the matter pertains to Mi

hed. Her dowry? This

ttend to him as soon as the ritual is complete," Mrs.

teps. Silence descended once more, heavy with tension. The chanting of th

eight upon her chest. What kind of discrepancy could there be?

tponing the inevitable was pointless. "Tell Lord Beau

e a source of solace, now felt like a prison. As the maids helped her out of the tub, wrapping