CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY NINE – NEW LOVE SPROUTS

Charlotte’s cheeks flushed with warmth as she met his gaze, a jumble of conflicting emotions swirling within her. She was grateful for Richard’s gesture, touched by his empathy and compassion. But she couldn’t ignore the nagging sense of guilt that gnawed at her conscience. She was a maid, and he was the heir to the estate—a vast chasm lay between them, a divide she could never hope to bridge. As Richard lingered in the kitchen, engaging her in conversation and offering words of encouragement, Charlotte felt a flicker of something she couldn’t quite name. It was a dangerous thing, this burgeoning attraction, a flame that threatened to consume her from within. She knew she should keep her distance, guard her heart against the inevitable pain of unrequited longing. But in the presence of Richard Griffith, all logic and reason seemed to slip away, leaving only the intoxicating pull of desire. Their encounter was interrupted by the arrival of Maud, her presence like a dark cloud ca