Chapter 19: Returning to Cavendish Manor

The journey back to Cavendish Manor was shrouded in a contemplative silence. The rhythmic clatter of the carriage wheels on cobblestone served as a soothing backdrop, yet my mind was anything but calm. Victor’s estate had been a revelation, a glimpse into the man behind the aristocratic facade. But now, returning to the familiar, I felt the weight of that knowledge pressing down on me.

Victor sat across from me, his expression thoughtful and guarded. The tension between us had eased slightly since our heartfelt conversation, but a lingering apprehension remained. We both knew that our arrival at Cavendish Manor would bring new challenges.

As the grand silhouette of the manor came into view, my heart quickened. The sprawling estate, with its manicured gardens and imposing architecture, had always been a place of comfort. But today, it felt like a stage set for an impending drama.