Part One: Gwendolyn
Young, perky Gwendolyn Crutoe has her life planned out; marry the love of her life Albert and take care of her drunken father. What then happens when her subconscious father gambles her and loses? 

She is whisked off by a total stranger and with no hope of getting her old life back or the man of her dreams.

Part Two: Alexa
Given a second chance at getting a good life, Alexa just has one thing in mind, to live life to its fullest. But what happens when something... or someone else occupies her mind.

The Maidens (Crutoe Sisters)

"Your papa is always away, isn't he?" I asked the girl in my arms. She was playing with my necklace, wanting to take the emerald out. 


"He's a Duke." My heart jolted. A Duke? 


"He's not a Duke." One of the boys came out then and from his brown eyes and deep frown, I knew he was Alan. "Papa is not a Duke, he works for a Duke." Ah, I can see why Maya would confuse the two. 


"That's better. I was worried for a moment there..." 


"Why?" Alan snapped at me, cutting me off. "You don't want to marry a Duke? You want marry a sailor and travel the world?" But God! That child looked so angry if it was possible, his hard eyes would burn holes in mine. 


Chapter 13: The Children (C)