when hearts collide

CHAPTER FOUR

THE PAST

I was born the daughter of a gardener on the Duke’s estate. My father, a kind and hardworking man, tended to the gardens with great care and dedication.

My mother, a gentle soul, passed away during childbirth, leaving my father to raise me on his own. Despite the hardships, my childhood as filled with love and warmth.

I remembered the day James and I first met. I was just a young girl, playing in the gardens while my father worked. James, a curious and adventurous boy, had wandered away from his tutors and stumbled upon me. We struck up a conversation, and from that day on, we were inseparable.

James was a young Duke. He inherited the title after his father. He was destined for a life of privilege and responsibility. Despite the differences in our social standing, we formed a close bond. We spent our days exploring the vast gardens, playing hide and seek among the hedges, and sharing our dreams for the future.

Our childhood was filled with laughter and adventure. We would spend hours exploring the estate, discovering hidden nooks and crannies, and creating our own little world. James would often sneak away from his lessons to join me in the gardens, much to the chagrin of his tutors.

As we grew older, our bond deepened. James confided in me about his dreams and fears, and I shared my hopes and aspirations with him. We became each other's confidantes, finding solace and comfort in our friendship.

When my father passed away, James was there to support me. He held me as I cried, offering words of comfort and reassurance. His presence was a balm to my wounded heart, and I found strength in his unwavering support.

Our love blossomed in the years that followed. James would often steal moments with me in the gardens, away from the prying eyes of the estate. We would sit beneath the cherry tree, talking for hours about our future and the life we wanted to build together.

I remembered the day James proposed to me. We were walking through the gardens, the sun casting a golden glow over the flowers. He took my hand and led me to our favorite spot beneath the cherry tree. With a look of determination and love in his eyes, he got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife.

Tears of joy filled my eyes as I nodded, unable to find the words to express my happiness. James slipped a simple gold ring onto my finger, and we sealed our promise with a kiss. It was a moment of pure bliss, a memory I would cherish forever.

Despite the challenges we faced, our love remained steadfast. James's mother, the Duchess Dowager, was a formidable woman, determined to see her son marry someone of noble birth. She saw me as a threat to her plans, and she made no secret of her disapproval.

But James was resolute in his love for me. He stood up to his mother, declaring that he would marry me regardless of her objections. His determination and courage filled me with hope, and I knew that we could overcome any obstacle together.

The ceremony was beautiful, a celebration of our love and commitment. As we exchanged our vows, I felt a deep sense of peace and contentment. We were bound together by love, and nothing could tear us apart.

But we are apart now.