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!Heading 1 !!Heading 1 !!!Heading 1 Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. //emphasised text//. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. ''strong text''. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. __underlined text__ Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. ---- * List item 1 * List item 2 [[Firstname]] [[Link 2]] [[Link 3]] <<button "Button" "More Styles">><</button>>

<div id="sidebar"> <div class="sidebar-header">  <div></div>  <h1 class="story-title" data-passage="Sexy Short Stories"></h1>  <div class="sidebar-toggle"> <span id="sidebar-toggle-icon" class="lnr lnr-menu-circle"></span> </div> </div>   <div class="sidebar-history-nav"> <span id="backwards-button" class="lnr lnr-arrow-left"></span> <span id="forwards-button" class="lnr lnr-arrow-right"></span> </div> <div id="sidebar-body">    <h2 class="story-author" data-passage="Doriana Gray"></h2> <nav class="sidebar-nav"> <ul class="story-tools"> <li> <span id="restart-button" class="lnr lnr-redo"></span> <span class="tooltiptext">Restart</span> </li> <li> <span id="saves-button" class="lnr lnr-download"></span> <span class="tooltiptext">Saves</span> </li> <li> <span id="settings-button" class="lnr lnr-cog"></span> <span class="tooltiptext">Settings</span> </li> </ul> <ul class="story-menu" data-passage="storyMenu"> </ul> </nav>      </div>  </div>  <div id="story" role="main"> <div id="passages"> <div id="passage-start" data-passage="start" class="passage"> </div> </div> </div>

<<nobr>>  <li>[[Stat page 1]]</li> <li>[[State page 2]]</li> <</nobr>>

<<set $hello = "hello">> [[Next|More Styles]]

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Sed blandit libero volutpat sed cras ornare. Nisi vitae suscipit tellus mauris a diam. Eu sem integer vitae justo eget magna. Mauris cursus mattis molestie a iaculis at erat pellentesque adipiscing. Mattis aliquam faucibus purus in massa tempor nec feugiat. Vel quam elementum pulvinar etiam non quam lacus suspendisse faucibus. Id interdum velit laoreet id donec ultrices tincidunt arcu. Viverra aliquet eget sit amet tellus cras adipiscing. Praesent elementum facilisis leo vel fringilla. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Vitae suscipit tellus mauris a diam maecenas. Sed egestas egestas fringilla phasellus faucibus scelerisque eleifend donec. Sed sed risus pretium quam. Aliquet eget sit amet tellus cras adipiscing enim eu. Nulla posuere sollicitudin aliquam ultrices sagittis orci. Pharetra vel turpis nunc eget lorem dolor sed. Vel orci porta non pulvinar neque laoreet suspendisse interdum. Tempor orci dapibus ultrices in iaculis. Eu mi bibendum neque egestas congue quisque egestas. Ultrices in iaculis nunc sed augue lacus viverra vitae. Sit amet porttitor eget dolor morbi. Nec ultrices dui sapien eget mi proin. Leo vel fringilla est ullamcorper eget nulla facilisi etiam dignissim. Nec ultrices dui sapien eget mi proin sed. Aliquet nibh praesent tristique magna. Viverra accumsan in nisl nisi scelerisque. Nunc lobortis mattis aliquam faucibus purus in massa tempor nec. Nunc sed id semper risus in hendrerit. Non sodales neque sodales ut etiam sit amet nisl purus. Pellentesque elit eget gravida cum sociis. Consectetur purus ut faucibus pulvinar elementum. Ut faucibus pulvinar elementum integer enim neque volutpat ac. Sed blandit libero volutpat sed cras ornare. Nisi vitae suscipit tellus mauris a diam. Eu sem integer vitae justo eget magna. Mauris cursus mattis molestie a iaculis at erat pellentesque adipiscing. Mattis aliquam faucibus purus in massa tempor nec feugiat. Vel quam elementum pulvinar etiam non quam lacus suspendisse faucibus. Id interdum velit laoreet id donec ultrices tincidunt arcu. Viverra aliquet eget sit amet tellus cras adipiscing. Praesent elementum facilisis leo vel fringilla. <<button "Next" "More Styles">><</button>>

<<set $hello = "hello">> <<print $hello.toUpperFirst()>> <<= $hello.toUpperFirst()>> !!! Checkbox: <<checkbox "$checkboxVar1" false true autocheck>> Checkbox option 1 <<checkbox "$checkboxVar2" false true autocheck>> Checkbox option 2 <<checkbox "$checkboxVar3" false true autocheck>> Checkbox option 3 !!! Cycle: <<cycle "$cycleVar" autoselect>> <<option "Option 1">> <<option "Option 2">> <<option "Option 3">> <<option "Option 4">> <<option "Option 5">> <</cycle>> !!! Listbox: <<listbox "$listboxVar" autoselect>> <<option "Option 1">> <<option "Option 2">> <<option "Option 3">> <<option "Option 4">> <<option "Option 5">> <</listbox>> !!! Radiobutton: <<radiobutton "$radiobuttonVar" "option 1" autocheck>> Option 1 <<radiobutton "$radiobuttonVar" "option 2" autocheck>> Option 2 <<radiobutton "$radiobuttonVar" "option 3" autocheck>> Option 3 !!! Textarea: <<textarea "$textareaVar" "Type text here..">> !!! Textbox: <<textbox "$textboxVar" "Type answer here">>

Game Title

by <a href="https://tumblr.com/yourblog" target="_blank">Name</a>

!Stat page 1 I havent done this yet!  <center><<link "Return to game" $return>><</link>></center>

!Stat page 2 I havent done this yet!  <center><<link "Return to game" $return>><</link>></center>

<<set $choice to "">> <<set $mcGender to "woman">> <<set $mcFirstName to "Sherlock">> <<set $mcLastName to "Holmes">> <<set $Miss to "Miss">> <<set $Madam to "madam">> <<set $mcWoman to "woman">> <<set $mcMaids to "maids">> <<set $mcMaid to "maid">> <<set $mcHer to "her">> <<set $myLady to "My lady">> <<set $mistress to "mistress">>

<<if $mcGender == "man">><<set $Miss to "Mister">><<set $Madam to "sir">><<set $mcWoman to "man">><<set $mcMaids to "footmen">><<set $mcMaid to "footman">><<set $mcHer to "him">><<set $myLady to "Sir">><<set $mistress to "fleeting tryst">> <<elseif $mcGender == "non">> <<set $Miss to "Mx">><<set $Madam to "ser">><<set $mcWoman to "person">><<set $mcMaids to "help">><<set $mcMaid to "servant">><<set $mcHer to "them">><<set $myLady to "Darling">><<set $mistress to "fleeting tryst">> <</if>> !The Master You had been numb for a very long time. The monotony of scrubbing floors had hardened and eroded down your mind more than it ever affected even your… //Hmm…// What was your train of thought again? It seems you forgot. //Again.// //Eh.// What does it matter… When does any of it ever matter? <<button "Continue" "Page2">><</button>>

//Again. Ever. Never. Always…// All the same. <<button "Continue" "Page3">><</button>>

The floors of the kitchens were clean, as much as they ever would be. The stone held mould or damage, or perhaps it always simply appeared as such. But it would never be cleaner—not by your hands. Of course, you may still be blamed. You stand to dust yourself off as—in the early morning—the sun peeks through the sliver of window afforded to the kitchen below groundfloor. The colour of the sun, the angle of the glare told you the hour. The… minute… Six… and eleven minutes past, the sun and its cold shadows spoke to you. And the time spoke that the fires have to be swept. Or there would be hell to pay. <<button "Continue" "Page4">><</button>>

There were some silver linings. The house was always quiet at this time of day. A hush, all but for the large clocks that were ticking for time. You could walk the main paths if you kept your shoes clean and your steps careful. You could do a lot if no one saw you, if no one caught you, if no one noticed you. And no one ever did. [["- It was intentional… only terrible attention existed for a " + $mcWoman + " like me. Being seen, praised… It all too often was followed by…"|pretty]] [[- My muted disposition and a lack in appearances kept me hidden…|notPretty]]

An ill-placed cut of a knife to your fair hair, black soot as beguilement across your skin, and a dim expression as disguise… It kept you hidden. Safe. //Safer...// A precarious position is a prison when one lacks the power to protest. So you hide. And you have done so... For a very long time. It became your natural state of being. To be unseen. <<button "Continue" "Page5">><</button>>

<<if $mcGender == "man">> You were not one to be seen. You were not one to be picked out in any line… by this god-given gift of missing what others coveted or envied, by being uninteresting all by natural means, you were kept hidden. Safe. //Safer.// A precarious position is a prison when one lacks the power to protest. And so... You do not mind being unseen. Not really. Not much... <<else>> You were not one to be seen. You were not one to be picked in any line… by this god-given gift of missing what others coveted, by being unappealing all by natural means, you were kept hidden. Safe. //Safer.// A precarious position is a prison when one lacks the power to protest. And so... You do not mind being unseen. Not really. Not much... <</if>> <<button "Continue" "Page5">><</button>>

With a sigh, you come to your knees by the main sitting room fireplace. The stone here was always chilled. It was only a balm in the dead of summer; on the days when you wished to drown in the cold of the lake by the edge of the estate. But, today, its touch bit with a bitter cold against your palms and your clothes. Warmth… Was not for one such as you. True heat was only found this time of year in the kitchens, in the evenings of a feast. But those moments were stifling and stressed. The succour of a cup of warm tea in front of a fire… a book… decent conversation… It had been a long time. You sigh again as you extend your already aching arms towards gruelling work. <<button "Continue" "Page6">><</button>>

You work against the black soot that always clung to the skin. You sweep the hearth. You add the kindling so the world resets for the higher-ups. //Them, never even burdened by the sight of us.// //Never even seeing me—// “There //you are//,” a voice speaks behind you, soft, surprised, and warm. “All along. It was //you//.” <<button "Continue" "Page7">><</button>>

You stand and turn quickly. The tools which you clean the hearth dropped unceremoniously on the stone with a clank because you //know this voice//. Because you //know// this man. Tall. Built taller by a posture which may only be born and bred. And, as your eyes lift and meet, emerald eyes. Grander than any jewels. Ones you’ve only seen so close from the paintings lining these grand halls. “Remarkable,” the man of the manor, Sir Hamish Hawthorne, says as he steps closer. “I was expecting someone different… But it makes the most remarkable sense.” [[- “If you seek assistance in finding a particular servant, sir, then I—I—“ I falter, I feel caught despite no ill deed having been done.|Page8][$choice to "1"]] [[- “I doubt you seek me at all, sir—“ My tone is even. Clipped. And not at all as warm as his.|Page8][$choice to "2"]]

<<if $choice is "1">> “If you seek assistance in finding a particular servant, sir, then I—I—“ You feel your nerves ticking, fraying… <<elseif $choice is "2">> “I doubt you seek me at all, sir—“ Your cool exterior is kept. Your heart is cold. You’ve survived far worse than a moment of misplaced attention. <<else>> ERROR <</if>> “No. No, //you// are exactly whom I seek, $Miss.” His gaze tears from your eyes to stray to your hands. The hands covered in soot. “There is no mistaking it.” A smile threatens his regular facade of warm indifference. Then he turns and steps towards the windows, with the sun blazing through, framing far too much gold across the edges of red velvet curtains and man. He sports a profile that was already as if gilded… And now, with a smile that tugs further, he gazes down at the chess pieces by the window. It is rather… “You are //very// good.” He lifts a piece. The one you moved the morning before. The one you had been playing with a supposed stranger. One step at a time. “But soot and white marble… In a doomed battle, any would fall. Eventually.” You had not known… It was a moments diversion, a fantasy of sorts— It had been a long time. And many matches. And you had won each and every one. Yet, his emerald eyes look to you now and seek your meeting gaze. And the smile is wide as he has you trapped. “Checkmate, $Miss $mcLastName.” <<button "Continue" "Page9">><</button>>

He had ordered all guests not to touch the board; this he had told you as you were ordered to play your first game, face to face, that very morning. And, “Surely no servants would dare unless they were the one who… began the matter,” he had proposed. But he hadn’t wanted to simply //ask//. The game, he proposed, was many things. And //the game// was far too satisfying to risk. He revealed the butler had no talent for chess. The senior footmen did not have the brains. The housekeeper, not the courage. He was working his way down. Many in the house had the access, he said, but none he knew to have the skills. Few, he said, had interesting games in them at all, even in London. But you… “I have seen you,” he proposes then, as he lifts the rook from the board. “I have. During Christmas, when the servants have their little celebration… And once, when the higher $mcMaids all had that bout of influenza…” His gaze glances back up at you often. The gaze does not dart, though. It is not afraid, or shy, or even polite. It is, perhaps, curious. Openly so. [[- A flagrant display of attention you would have usually avoided.|Page10][$choice to "1"]] [[- A flagrant display of attention you would have usually found ways to exploit.|Page10][$choice to "2"]] [[- A flagrant display of attention you would have usually found yourself seeking.|Page10][$choice to "3"]]

<<if $choice is "1">> "Sir, I can assure you, I am not one for you to waste your time on—" you begin to explain yourself away as best as you can—to get the man off your tail, the bloodhound off the scent. The gentleman ignores your fishing words to finish his own point; he seems rather in the habit of pushing on without consequences. And too comfortably, he leans a little closer. For an inspection, now. Much like one might lean forward against a jewellery case, and you, the rare stone. “I should… know you, shouldn’t I? Better, I should know you //better//, at the very least… should I not?” He straightens a little from the forward lean. “You see, I had to ask the butler who managed the soot of that fire yesterday.” A crease appears between his brows, his eyes studying again. Searching. “And so I… Why do you hide yourself? You have a remarkable mind, $Miss. I never managed to beat you, not the once…” <<elseif $choice is "2">> “If I am to be entertainment, playing you like this, I can not do the work that is expected of me…” I say pointedly, with some clear meaning of reparations, as I glance at him from across the board. The gentleman ignores your fishing words to finish his own point; he seems rather in the habit of pushing on without consequences. And too comfortably, he leans a little closer. For an inspection, now. Much like one might lean forward against a jewellery case, and you, the rare stone. “I should… know you, shouldn’t I? Better, I should know you //better//, at the very least… should I not?” He straightens a little from the forward lean. “You see, I had to ask the butler who managed the soot of that fire yesterday.” A crease appears between his brows, his eyes studying again. Searching. “And so I… Why do you hide yourself? You have a remarkable mind, $Miss. I never managed to beat you, not the once…” <<elseif $choice is "3">> "I did not know you knew me at all, sir," I admit as I glance at him from across the board. The gentleman frowns at your words and too easily leans closer in the manner you suspect one might lean forward against a jewellery case—just as one might inspect a rare diamond. “I should… know you,” he says as his eyes traverse your image. “Shouldn’t I? Know you //better//, that is.” He straightens a little from the forward lean. “You see, I had to ask the butler who managed the soot of that fire yesterday.” The crease deepens between his brows, his eyes studying again. Searching. “And so I, I feel… Why do you hide yourself? You have a remarkable mind, $Miss. I never managed to beat you, not the once…” <<else>> ERROR <</if>> [[- “I do no such thing, least of all hide,” I lie.|Page11][$choice to "1"]] [[- “I would not call it such... hiding... sounds far too... too...“|Page11][$choice to "2"]] [[- “Perhaps you are worse at chess than you supposed yourself to be,” I return, while knowing full well he was no mere novice, and some plays were… far too close for comfort.|Page11][$choice to "3"]] <<if $choice is "2">> [[- If he ignores my point, I can ignore his. “I would need a raise, if nothing else. Or a written dispensation from working the fires in the morrow.”|Page11][$choice to "4"]] <</if>>

<<if $choice is "1">> “I do no such thing, least of all hide,” you lie. And, to your credit, you lie well. But the circumstances feel hardly in your favour... And his expression as if twitches by your act. By his sharp cheek and following eye, a quick, minuscule movement that shows disbelief or disapproval. Either one feels... ill-advised to induce. "Do you not?" he almost whispers, leaning back in. The room is cold in the morrow, with the fires not lit. But the sun is warm, even as reflected in his green gaze. He pauses. Then he speaks, "And—if you do not, then there would be no reason for you to object to me knowing you further, is there?" It was hardly fair how his eyes shone as a green meadow day, and a million-pound smile slashed across his lips. "If you do not hide, dear $Miss $mcLastName, then tell me all there is to tell. Tell me your pages, and I will remember the words well." “Please. Do go on..." <<elseif $choice is "2">> "I would not call it such... //hiding//... sounds far too... too..." you try and find the words. "Too cowardly?" he interjects unnecessarily. "//Ungenerous//, sir," you correct. "For you do not know me. Or why I might... //hide// myself, as you prefer to call it. Or //why// it may appear as such." The room is cold in the morrow, with the fires not lit. But the sun is warm, especially reflected in his green gaze. And to his credit, he pauses. And he listens. "Forgive me, you are right," he admits then. And after another break, he says, "Would you allow me to?" The man, leaning back in, and with a whisper, "Get to know you?" His eyes shine as a green meadow day, and a million-pound smile slashes across his lips. "May I? Dear $Miss $mcLastName, would you grant me that honour…” <<elseif $choice is "3">> “Perhaps you are worse at chess than you supposed yourself to be,” you return simply. His expression as if twitches by your words. By his sharp cheek and following eye, a quick, minuscule movement that shows some disbelief or perhaps disapproval. But then he— He laughs. He smiles. Broadly, brightly. More than you are sure he's ever smiled in this house. In his own home. The sound echoes around the room. The room that remains cold this morrow as the fires were left unlit. The room you’ve tended countless days. The room that has never been warm for you, but now, with the sun warm on you both… With the sun reflected in his green gaze, that remains on you… "You truly are remarkable." The man lean back in then. Step by step. Slowly. Eyes searching your visage with such intensity it surely could sear your skin. Once he finds himself too close, he whispers. "You deserve to be told that. More frequently than you are." There’s a sigh, then he speaks again, "I wish to know you more. Much more." His eyes shine like a green meadow day, and a million-pound smile slashes across his lips. "If you do not hide, dear $Miss $mcLastName, then tell me all there is to tell. Tell me your pages, and I will remember the words well." "Afford me that honour.” Another pause. “Please…” <<elseif $choice is "4">> If he ignores my point, I can ignore his. “I would need a raise, if nothing else. Or a written dispensation from working the fires in the morrow.” His expression as if twitches by your words. By his sharp cheek and following eye, a quick, minuscule movement that shows some disbelief or perhaps disapproval. But then he— He laughs. He smiles. Broadly, brightly. More than you are sure he's ever smiled in this house. In his own home. The sound echoes around the room. The room that remains cold this morrow as the fires were left unlit. The room you’ve tended countless days. The room that has never been warm for you, but now, with the sun warm on you both… With the sun reflected in his green gaze, that remains on you… "You truly are remarkable." The man lean back in then. Step by step. Slowly. Eyes searching your visage with such intensity it surely could sear your skin. Once he finds himself too close, he whispers. "You deserve to be told that. More frequently than you are." “Nevertheless—“ he speaks louder as his hand waves away the air and your mention of monetary things, and he finally gets to your point. "The material matters… Yes. Of course, of course." His eyes shine as a green meadow day, and a million-pound smile slashes across his lips. "All can be compensated, dear $Miss $mcLastName. Now then—play me, and tell me all there is to tell of you. Tell me your pages, and I will remember the words well." "Afford me that honour, and I shall reward you in kind." <<else>> ERROR <</if>> <<button "Continue" "Page12">><</button>>

You and him play one game of chess. Then, you play many more. It becomes a habit. One you… care for. He hardly ever bests you. But he does not mind. No, he seems to revel in that very challenge you pose and the skill you possess. None, he often said, was up to his standards. //“You are the only being in this world I may trust… to… The only one I may trust to be more than my high opinion, rather than less.”// The hierarchy of the household changes as you rise in rank. Small steps at first, until you uncover who stole the silver from the late master of the house. It was all too obvious. The butler did it with a handkerchief and a wheelbarrow after midnight. After this, your rise in ranks moved all the more quickly. And your wardrobe grows. Your storage is filled with easily explained-away gifts. Your presence was never once again hidden, but now all too whispered. Your room is in a better part of the estate. The work is easier. The mornings and the nights are warmer. And the days are filled with conversations before a roaring fire and a cup of something heated in hand. Soon, you become his confidant. The one person he trusts in //all things//. The days are not just bearable now but… something more lovely and warm. And you and him, you become close— [[- Begrudgingly so.|Page13][$choice to "1"]] [[- To my surprise.|Page13][$choice to "2"]] [[- To my delight.|Page13][$choice to "3"]] [[- I knew I would be recognised one day. I was only surprised it was not sooner.|Page13][$choice to "4"]]

<<if ($choice != "1" and $mcGender == "man") or ($choice == "2" and $mcGender != "man") or ($choice == "4" and $mcGender != "man")>>>> He gave you his time and every expected attention... and much more than one might expect between a gentleman and his $mcMaid. Yet it was never intimate. Never romantic. Nor forward— <<elseif $choice is "1">> He did not allow you to escape him. You were far too fascinating for that. Hiding held no consequence, and quitting a position was impossible if a letter of reference was withheld. He pushed through some armour you held to strange success; he gave you every comfort and attention. Furthermore, thankfully or not, your companionship was never… intimate. Never romantic. Nor forward— <<else>> He gives you every comfort. It becomes more and appears more like the treatment of a well-pampered lover. Yet no such advancement had ever been made towards you. It was never quite… intimate. Never romantic. Nor forward— <</if>> Until— <<button "Continue" "Page14">><</button>>

Until— Until he was having a soiree, one late winter evening, the usual suspects were invited; the right connections there. You attended, but by many metrics, you were hardly included. It was a dull evening, but then you overheard. Or perhaps they had meant to be heard. Perhaps they wished to... affect you. Through a little rumour. About you. And of him. //“Would there truly be room and need for $mcHer, now that he is to be married?”// [["- The news pierces my heart so much that it takes my breath away. I escape the room, the people, for there is no other action I can stand to take."|Page15][$choice to "1"]] [["- I school my expression and remain to overhear more…"|PageA][$choice to "2"]]

He finally found you in the small study, where you two often shared a game and a glass, just as the sun was coming up on a long day and a yet longer night. You catch how, outside of the window, the small birds no longer played in a tree outside the stained glass windows that had been there all the time you two grew closer. You turn to look at him. And you know his every thought before he says it. And you wonder if this is the end. "I thought we were beyond hiding, $mcFirstName," he says, almost breathing the word out with a sigh. [[- "Did you?" I return, in a cold voice I hardly recognise anymore.|Page16][$choice to "1"]] [[- "I could tell you the very same, sir," I can't look away from the man I've come to... the man I thought I knew.|Page16][$choice to "2"]] [[- "..." I can't ask it. I can't. I can't break the spell I've been under...|Page16][$choice to "3"]] [[- "Tell me the truth." Nothing like facing a matter head-on. Even when it feels… all too raw.|Page16][$choice to "4"]]

<<if $choice is "1">> "What has happened, $mcFirstName—" <<elseif $choice is "2">> "Tell me what has happened..." <<elseif $choice is "3">> "What has happened, $mcFirstName—" <<elseif $choice is "4">> "The truth of //what//, $mcFirstName?" <<else>> ERROR <</if>> He takes steps closer to where you stand by the bookshelf and the fern. In the corner of the room, hidden well, near blending in with the furniture, you had quickly reverted to the old ways. His brow worried, showing his age as the furrow deepens and darkens. "If I have done something—" <<if $choice is "1">> "Haven't you?" you accuse. "Do you deny it then—" <<elseif $choice is "2">> "Haven't you?" you accuse. "Do you deny it then—" <<elseif $choice is "3">> "Haven't you?" you ask. "Can you truly deny it still..." <<elseif $choice is "4">> "Haven't you?" you question. "Do you deny it then—" <</if>> "Deny //what//, $Madam—" he speaks louder now than any tone he had ever taken with you. And with his steps, he is closer now than... ever before. You are sure that even by the chess table his breath never had reason to be quite so close to your cheek. His polished black shoes almost knocking against yours. His chest lifting quickly with each breath, and with each breath—with each inhale—he is tantalisingly close. Close to touching. Close enough for breaths to mingle. For eyes to memorise every line. His voice is calmer now, but, "$mcFirstName..." You had never seen or heard him so ruffled. Was it flattering that it was by your hand he was laid so bare? So affected… <<if $choice is "1">> [["- " + "You are to be married."|Page17]] <<elseif $choice is "2">> [["- " + "You are to be married."|Page17]] <<elseif $choice is "3">> [["- " + "You are to be married..."|Page17]] <<else>> [["- " + "You are to be married."|Page17]] <</if>>

After a brief widening of his eyes and a confused lifting of his brows, as if the words were too foreign to his ears to be understood or even register as sounds— He smiles. He smiles slowly; a small, far too satisfied smile creeps upon his lips. "Am I?" he asks for clarification for words you knew he had heard. [[- "... Aren't you?" his reaction confuses me more than anything.|Page18][$choice to "1"]] [[- "Do you deny it, sir?" I repeat.|Page18][$choice to "2"]] [["- " + "Do not be glib."|Page18][$choice to "3"]]

It was far too early a morning for any kind of confession, and yet he spoke, “For such a bright $mcWoman, you are being unusually obtuse…“ <<if $choice is "1">> “You do not have to be—“ <<elseif $choice is "2">> "Do you //deny//—“ <<elseif $choice is "3">> “And you are being—“ <</if>> “I want no one else.” He presses against you now. The length of his form lingering against yours with new firmness. “I have a ring, yes. And it is for you…” <<if $mcGender == "man">> His hand lifts and reveals a ring on a chain, inlaid almost like a locket. The length is long enough to be worn beneath clothes… Hidden, but always by the heart. <<else>> His hand lifts and reveals, held between thumb and forefinger, a ring with diamonds inlaid and intricate patterns circling round. <</if>> “Have I not told you enough, $mcFirstName? You are the only one I hold in high regard… The only one I trust…” [["- " + "Oh."|Page19][$choice to "1"]] [["- " + "I did not think—it seemed so… unlikely."|Page19][$choice to "2"]] [["- " + "I truly do not understand, sir…"|Page19][$choice to "2"]] <<if $mcGender is "woman">> [[- It can’t be real. "I won’t be your mistress—"|Page19][$choice to "3"]] <<else>> [[- It can’t be real. "I won’t be a fleeting tryst—"|Page19][$choice to "3"]] <</if>> [["- " + "Perhaps if you allowed yourself to speak plainer. To not hide behind such uncertain words—"|Page19][$choice to "4"]]

“There is a ring… This, I know without doubt. It may be for the honourable Miss Davies. But I’ve also heard Lady Turner Hughes covets the title and believes it to be hers—” Some fear strikes you… or panic. Perhaps it is of losing your newfound place in this life, or… <<if $mcGender == "man">> //He could never marry you. You know this.// Positions aside, he was a man, and so were you. Not that he ever said, even implied, that you… You were //so// close, yet oceans apart in this way. Romance… it had never entered the situation. And yet… you… <<else>> //He could never marry you. You know this.// Your positions are too far. Not that he ever said, even implied, that you… You were //so// close, yet oceans apart in this way. Romance… it had never entered the situation. And yet… you… <</if>> <<button "Continue" "Page15">><</button>>

<<if $choice is "1">> “Yes. I wish to offer you all… All that I am. All that I have.” <<elseif $choice is "2">> “Perhaps I’ve been too careful in my methods... //$myLady//, a gentleman does not press what is not wanted—and given our circumstances,“ he hesitates a breath, “The need of care felt all the more warranted…” <<elseif $choice is "3">> “My dear… there is not a living thing deserving of calling you such a thing. That is not what I am asking of you. I wish to offer you all… All that I am. All that I have.” <<elseif $choice is "4">> “I do as such with intent, //$myLady//. A gentleman should not press on what is not wanted—and given our circumstances,“ he hesitates a breath, “The need of it is all the more warranted…” <</if>> “Do you wish for me too, $mcFirstName? Say you will have me…” [[- “Yes.“|HappyEnd][$choice to "1"]] [[- “No.“|SadEnd][$choice to "2"]]

!!!EPILOGUE His smile is wide as he kisses you. Gleeful and hurried to such degrees, he rarely even shows you—pressing against you and the firm books at your back. “$mcFirstName, you do not know how I—“ You hear the door open to the study; the creak of it a familiar and now unwanted sound. Hamish stills, then pushes you further against the corner, hiding you against his broad shoulders, the bookcase, and the fern. He does not turn his head towards the intruder, his breath remaining against your cheek. And you feel the roar of his order against you as he speaks to whomever it is in a clear voice, “Anyone who dares enter this room before sundown will lose their head. Let the other servants know. Now—” And so the door closes again at his command. And his lips return upon you. And his voice is soft again for you. “An eternity, $mcFirstName,” he whispers in your ear between kisses upon all skin uncovered and that which is currently unravelling. “I will have yours, and I give mine.” “—If that is not enough.” “Then I offer estates, treasures, and freedom from all but me…” “As long as you remain by my side.” “For our eternity.”

!!!EPILOGUE You leave the manor that day. A letter of recommendation in hand. Fair for the carriage, all wages paid. Once in your seat, tucked far in your belongings, your fingers brush against something that you swore was not there before—a letter of a very different kind. The ink was pressed firmly into the parchment, the words smudged as if fingers touched and caressed it before enclosing. And the message inside read: “Hearts once shared beats as one, even when it believes itself free.” “I belong to you now. As you belong to me.” “//If you love something, let it stray. For it returns, as it is yours to keep//.” <<if ($mcGender == "woman") and ($mcFirstName == "Gabrielle")>> And attached to the very bottom of the letter was the queen in marble, the one you had played and bested him with many times. "My darling queen, our game awaits." <</if>>

!!! First Name: <<textbox "$mcFirstName" "Sherlock">> !!! Last Name: <<textbox "$mcLastName" "Holmes">> !!! Gender: <<radiobutton "$mcGender" "woman" autocheck>> Woman <<radiobutton "$mcGender" "man" autocheck>> Man <<radiobutton "$mcGender" "non" autocheck>> Non-binary <<button "Continue" "Start">><</button>>