JGW The morning light filtered through the frost-covered windows of Isabelle’s room, casting soft, crystalline patterns on the floor. The air carried a sharp chill, though the warmth of the estate’s magic kept the cold at bay. Isabelle stretched, her fingers brushing the thick fur of Mr. Darcy, who lounged contentedly on her bed. Over dinner … Read more
The transition to life in the Winter Court began the next morning when Isabelle was escorted to her new quarters. The room was unlike anything she had ever seen, a harmonious blend of icy elegance and inviting warmth that seemed almost impossible. The walls shimmered with frost-like patterns, their intricate designs glowing faintly in the … Read more
Leaving Virgil’s room behind, Isabelle found herself wandering the long, firelit halls of the estate, her thoughts a swirling mix of uncertainty and wonder. She needed space, somewhere to untangle the threads of her mind. Without conscious thought, her feet carried her back toward the garden, the one place where the weight of this strange, … Read more
Isabelle made her way back to the house through the enchanting frozen garden, her footsteps crunching softly against the frost-covered path. She allowed herself to linger, taking in the crystalline splendor around her. Every branch, every leaf, seemed suspended in time, their icy surfaces catching the pale light like shards of glass. Yet, as her … Read more
The door to the sitting room groaned softly as Isabelle pushed it open, the sound breaking the stillness of the morning. Lord Olberon rose from his seat with practiced ease, a warm smile lighting his face. “Miss Isabelle! I was beginning to think you’d reconsidered our tour this morning,” he said with a playful note … Read more
Olberon opened his mouth to continue speaking when the door swung open unexpectedly. The physician stepped into the room, a warm smile lighting his face. “Good news, Sire,” he announced, his voice steady and reassuring. “Your man will be just fine. He’ll need time to recover, of course, and he’ll be out of commission for … Read more
The cab screeched to a stop beside the murky river. The driver, a burly man with a perpetual scowl, twisted in his seat to glance back at Isabelle. “This is it,” he grumbled, his eyes narrowing as they flicked to the slumped figure beside her. “He better not be bleeding on my seats.” Isabelle leaned … Read more
Antique was the first word that came to Isabelle’s mind as she stepped into the shop, the air thick with the scent of cedar and time. The interior seemed plucked from a different era—a capsule of history where nothing had changed for centuries. Dark wooden shelves stretched from floor to ceiling, laden with rolls of … Read more
The half-finished pizza from Giovanni’s sat on the coffee table, alongside an empty wine glass and a remote. Isabelle lounged in front of the TV, her Friday night routine in full swing: takeout, her cat, and whichever Jane Austen-inspired drama was trending. On-screen, Mr. Doesn’t-Express-His-Feelings-Well was once again entangled with Ms. Can’t-Quite-Articulate-Her-Needs. Their relationship, equal … Read more
Chapter 1 Rain lashed against the old windows, each drop hammering against the glass with a ferocity that reverberated through the quiet office. The dim light of a laptop cast a faint glow across Isabelle’s desk, illuminating a cluttered landscape of crumpled papers, empty coffee cups, and discarded Chinese takeout containers. The faint aroma of … Read more