Charlotte Mary Yonge. CHAPTER XI The stream was deeper than I thought When first I ventured here, I stood upon its sloping edge Without a rising fear. — H. BONAR It was a comfort to find that the brothers parted on good terms. The elder ...
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Rechauffes are proverbially dangerous, but everyone runs into them sooner or later, and the world has done me the kindness so often to inquire after my first crude attempt, that after it has lain for many years 'out of print,' I have ventured to launch it once more - imperfections and all - though it is guilty of the error of pointing rather to a transient phase of difficulty than to a general principle.
According to Wikipedia: "Charlotte Mary Yonge ( 1823 - 1901), was an English novelist, known for her huge output, now mostly out of print. ... She began writing in 1848, and published during her long life about 100 works, chiefly novels. ... Among the best known of her works are The Heir of Redclyffe, Heartsease, and The Daisy Chain. A Book of Golden Deeds is a collection of true stories of courage and self-sacrifice. She also wrote Cameos from English History, Life of John Coleridge Patteson: Missionary Bishop of the Melanesian Islands and Hannah More.... Although Yonge's work is largely out of print today, during her lifetime she was admired and respected by such notable literary figures as Alfred Tennyson and Henry James, and strongly influenced the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, especially William Morris and D. G. Rossetti."
Yelena discovered that she wasn't her parents' biological child. After seeing through their ploy to trade her as a pawn in a business deal, she was sent away to her barren birthplace. There, she stumbled upon her true origins-a lineage of historic opulence.
Her real family showered her with love and adoration. In the face of her so-called sister's envy, Yelena conquered every adversity and took her revenge, all while showcasing her talents.
She soon caught the attention of the city's most eligible bachelor. He cornered Yelena and pinned her against the wall. "It's time to reveal your true identity, darling."
On her wedding day, Marissa learned she wasn't her parents' real daughter.
Once the true heiress returned, her fiancé and adoptive parents cast her off to a rural backwater-and into an arranged marriage.
Only the "village" turned out to be the nation's most exclusive enclave, and her birth family led an elite dynasty that spoiled her rotten. Garages held rare supercars; vaults opened to couture and jewels. School or family business, she chose her pace.
Her "rustic" husband proved lethal, loyal, and absurdly protective.
Her ex crawled back, yet she cut him off cold, "Stay the hell away from me."
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!"
She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile.
But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional.
Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."
Eliana reunited with her family, now ruined by fate: Dad jailed, Mom deathly ill, six crushed brothers, and a fake daughter who'd fled for richer prey.
Everyone sneered. But at her command, Eliana summoned the Onyx Syndicate. Bars opened, sickness vanished, and her brothers rose-one walking again, others soaring in business, tech, and art.
When society mocked the "country girl," she unmasked herself: miracle doctor, famed painter, genius hacker, shadow queen.
A powerful tycoon held her close. "Country girl? She's my fiancée!"
Eliana glared at him. "Dream on."
Resolutely, he vowed never to let go.
After being forced out of her marriage because she could not have children, Allison's heart broke into pieces. She left for a sleepy town, hoping to find peace and mend her wounds.
One day, she stumbled upon an abandoned baby boy and chose to raise him alone.
Four years slipped by. One morning, a fleet of luxury cars rolled up to her modest house. A well-dressed man stepped out, holding a card. "Here's two million. Take it for raising my son."
With a sly grin, the man replied, "Then both of you come home with me."
Allison drew the child close. "He's my family. I will not let him go!"
Sophie stepped in for her sister and married a man known for his disfigured looks and reckless past.
On their wedding day, his family turned their backs on him, and the town laughed behind their hands, certain the marriage would collapse.
But Sophie's career soared, and their love only deepened.
Later, during a high-profile event, the CEO of some conglomerate took off his mask, revealing Sophie's husband to be a global sensation.
***
Adrian had no interest in his arranged wife and had disguised himself in hopes she would bail.
But when Sophie tried to walk away, Adrian broke down and whispered, "Please, Sophie, don't go. One kiss, and I'll give you the world."