Chapter 201: Unfinished War
When Samantha and Ivan stepped into the house, they were ushered to take their seats on the old couch. Samantha glanced at Ivan whose gaze lingered around the structure of the home, and she wasn’t surprised by his mindful bearing since he lived in a Palace that could not be compared to this. Although the house was relatively small, it didn’t appear indecent.
"You’re Samantha? As in, Samantha Dufort?" Amanda, who was yet to snap out of her daze, stepped forward to confirm what she just heard. Her memories of Samantha were vague, but from the green eyes, the hair color, why hadn’t she noticed the similarity sooner? That means, she didn’t hand the letter to some amiable stranger at the Courtesan house but to Mr Dufort’s daughter herself!
"Don’t disturb the guests Amanda, your brother still needs help in packing the goods outside." Madame Ginevra walked out of the Kitchen with freshly baked cheesecake muffins arranged on a small plate. She placed it on the table in front of Samantha and Ivan before acknowledging the presence of the young man who had followed Samantha in. It was obvious she was trying to guess who he was, in essence to how she kept gazing at him, and her inquiring eyes shifted to Samantha.
"He can’t be Maurice."
"No, this isn’t Maurice." Samantha immediately cleared her confirmation, sparing Madame Ginevra from having a heart attack. Her warm eyes that resembled the color of Amanda’s light-brown irises, flickered with concern upon realizing Maurice wasn’t here with them.
"What about my little Maurice? He didn’t come with you? How is he? I’m sure he’s all grown up now."
"Maurice is fine and well."
"Then who is this gentleman you’ve brought with you? Are you married now?" Madame Ginevra’s warm eyes held her excitement as she anticipated Samantha’s response, and she noticed how flustered Samantha became at her question. Knowing Samantha would be too shy to give her some answers, she glanced at the handsome man in the hopes that he would answer.
"We’re not married....yet." came Ivan’s subtle response, and Madame Ginevra seemed to have gotten the message. Her smile did not falter, rather her excitement was doubled after knowing her dear Samantha was indeed getting married soon, and from his manner of dressing, it was obvious he was not a man from Fernwood, he looked rather exquisite, no different from a handsome scholar who was born into a well-heeled family.