Chronicles of the Kilner Family: Chronicles of the Kilner Family, #1

By Leah

An ostracized maid. A spiteful young master. A complex family.

 

Anna was nothing but a lowly maid. She was employed by the prestigious Kilner household, where the family's eldest son, David Kilner, gave her preferential treatment. That, in turn, sparked rumors about the nature of their relationship, made all the more scandalous due to David's married status.

 

Things take a turn for the worse when Dylan Kilner, the family's youngest son, returns home after three years of absence. Out of nowhere, he starts targeting Anna in an attempt to sabotage her position. When David leaves on a trip, she is left with no one to protect her. Despite Dylan's best efforts, however, Anna refuses to leave the household, showing that there was more to her than meets the eye. As Dylan's hatred for Anna slowly turns into love, the two get entangled in a relationship full of heat and desire.

 

With complications arising left and right and family secrets being uncovered, will their love get a chance to blossom or will it wither away?

 

Strife, mystery, and jealous hearts—love must find a way to conquer them all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WordExcerpt
• Release date: Dec 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9798890470294

Book preview

PART ONE

CHAPTER 1

SO YOU’VE RETURNED

How is the progress with the cleaning? Madam Jane inquired.

It is nearly complete, came the reply.

And what about the blanket I instructed you to attend to?

I sent a child to retrieve it, so it will be delivered soon.

The Kilner family, the wealthiest in the village, bustled with activity. They embarked on a significant cleaning endeavor, unlike any seen in their household for quite some time. At the forefront of the labor was Madam Jane, the lady of the house. She toiled diligently since the early morning, forsaking any breaks to ensure that everything was in order for the impending arrival of their guests. Tirelessly, she traversed every nook and cranny, scrutinizing every minute flaw that required correction. However, the true exertion fell upon the hired workers of the Kilner family, who toiled tirelessly, striving to fulfill each demand.

I’m uncertain if the food is being prepared to my exact specifications. Have I already instructed the chef about the prohibition of mushrooms in the soup? Madam Jane inquired of Samantha.

Samantha, a woman who presided over the household staff, had been a fixture in the Kilner household since the tender age of twelve. She remained loyal to them well into middle age, her hair now tinged with strands of gray.

Crafting a reassuring response, Samantha attempted to coax Jane into a state of relaxation. Indeed, you have already conveyed your preferences. Everything is progressing smoothly, thanks to your guidance, madam, she assured. Perhaps it would be wise for you to entrust the remaining work to your subordinates and indulge in a respite with a cup of tea?

This fervor I possess stems from the anticipation of my child’s return after an arduous three-year absence, Samantha, Madam Jane conveyed, attempting to suppress the overwhelming joy surging within her. She spoke with a hand placed upon her pounding chest. Such profound excitement cannot be assuaged merely by sipping tea and assuming a placid demeanor!

Driven by her fervor, Madam Jane hurried toward the subterranean kitchen of the house.

Exasperated, Samantha muttered to herself, Why can’t you comprehend that respite and inactivity would aid us more significantly? She bemoaned before swiftly descending the stairs to follow Jane.

At the end of the third-floor corridor, Anna entered a room, cradling a winter blanket larger than herself. She gingerly laid it upon the bare bed in the room.

Within the room, two older women were engaged in cleaning. After placing the blanket down, one of the women, who had been sweeping the floor, silently approached Anna and assisted her in draping the blanket over the bed. Anna nodded gratefully, conveying her silent appreciation for the help.

Pausing momentarily, the woman’s gaze shifted toward the window. In a hushed whisper, she exclaimed, He has arrived.

Curiosity piqued, Anna followed suit and directed her gaze toward the window. There, she beheld a horse-drawn carriage making its way toward the house, treading upon the verdant weeds.

Unable to resist her curiosity, the woman who had been helping Anna moved closer to the window. Anna, too, settled beside her, capturing a view of the carriage as it gradually came to a halt at the front entrance of the building.

The coachman descended and opened the carriage door, unveiling the striking figure of a young man as he alighted. At first glance, Anna recognized him as Dylan Kilner, the second-eldest scion of the Kilner family. Dylan appeared more mature and robust than he did on the day he departed three years ago.

The entire family eagerly awaited Dylan’s arrival beside the entrance. Sir Crane and his wife, Madam Jane, stood alongside their eldest son, David, and David’s wife, Carol. One by one, Dylan warmly embraced each family member, except for Carol, his sister-in-law, to whom he graciously kissed the back of her hand. It was a customary greeting, executed with an air of sophistication and nobility.

The fair-haired woman who had been cleaning admonished the two girls by the window, scolding them, If you wish to forfeit your employment and find yourselves destitute on the streets, then by all means, continue your idleness.

Left alone to mop the floor, she had observed the other two, captivated by the Kilners’ elegance, engrossed in witnessing the familial reunion.

Especially you, the blonde reproached, her hand gracefully resting on her waist as she fixed a piercing glare on the pale woman standing beside Anna. How could you idly laze about when you lack a sponsor willing to bear the consequences on your behalf should you make a mistake?

The pale woman hung her head in guilt and retrieved her forgotten broom to resume sweeping. However, it wasn’t her that the blonde had a bone to pick with. In truth, her grievances lay with Anna. The blonde subtly condemned Anna, indirectly insinuating that she had it easier than the others because she had someone to fall back on in case of a blunder.

Despite hearing those malicious words, Anna couldn’t bring herself to react angrily toward the blonde. She disliked how the blonde disparaged the person supporting her by labeling them a sponsor, but she couldn’t deny that she worked in a more relaxed manner compared to the other employees of the Kilner family, thanks to them.

The only thing that Anna found truly unfair was that she and the person behind her never resorted to begging for forgiveness or making excuses when she made a mistake. With a nonchalant shrug, Anna turned her gaze back to the window, only to find the once lively and bustling front yard of the house now completely deserted.

Your transformation over the past three years has been remarkable, Dylan, David, Dylan’s older brother, commented, a warm smile gracing his face as he raised his wine glass.

Dylan playfully grinned, his perfect teeth peeking through. Indeed, three years is a substantial span of time.

The clinking sound of their wine glasses resonated lightly as the brothers tapped them together. Deep red wine swirled within each delicate glass.

Madam Jane interjected, You know this, so why did it take you three years to return to us? I worried about you incessantly, wondering if you were eating and sleeping properly. At the very least, you should have sent a letter or—

Sir Crane interrupted her, So, you’ve finally come back completely? he questioned Dylan.

Jane shot her husband a stern glare for his intrusion.

Yes, I have returned completely, Dylan affirmed.

Hearing this, Madam Jane shed a genuine tear of happiness. Sir Crane scolded her display of emotion, claiming that she was making a spectacle of herself, but his words were tempered by his gentle grasp of her hand and the handkerchief he took from his pocket to dab away her tears.

Taking advantage of this slight diversion, Carol joined the conversation. Welcome back to the household, Young Master.

Dylan smiled in response and nodded.

Three years were certainly not an insignificant stretch of time. As memories grew dim with age, Dylan had assumed that by distancing himself from his loved ones for long enough, his emotional ties would fade as well. However, that proved not to be the case. The cherished memories he held, precious as they were, did not lose their luster merely because time had passed. In truth, absence had made his heart grow fonder. He cherished and appreciated those memories even more than before.

He observed as Carol delicately took a bite of mashed potato from her plate, but it was evident that she consumed very little. Catching his gaze, she offered Dylan a small smile, curious about his thoughts. However, her smile soon faded.

Just like the pale hue of her complexion, Dylan’s heart turned pale as well. The three years he had spent trying to forget the woman who became his brother’s wife now crumbled within his mind.

I apologize, Young Master. I didn’t expect you to be in your room engrossed in books, Samantha lowered her head, visibly embarrassed. Making mistakes wasn’t her usual demeanor, which only added to her flustered state. Recognizing this, Anna, who stood behind Samantha, also bowed her head.

I think it’s more accurate to say that you didn’t think to knock on the door, considering this room has been empty every day for the past few years. Dylan’s voice flowed like a serene river.

Anna raised her head slightly. He sat on the windowsill, the sunlight pouring in, his gaze still fixed on his book.

I’m sorry, Samantha responded.

I didn’t say that to hear your apology. I simply suggest that we both pretend we don’t exist in each other’s presence and mind our own business.

Dylan’s tone remained as it was all those years ago. Anna felt a wave of relief wash over her as she heard his words once more, a small smile emerging on her lips.

In that moment, Samantha glanced at Anna, and understanding passed between them. Anna walked toward a closet made of red mahogany with the intention of putting away the clothes she held. She grasped the handle of the closet door, but for some reason, it didn’t budge.

Dylan quietly observed Anna’s struggle with the closet door and the pile of clothes she held until he closed his book and walked over to her. He placed his hand over Anna’s on the closet handle and pulled alongside her. Suddenly, the doors, which had remained immovable under Anna’s grip, swung open as if by magic.

For a brief moment, Anna forgot she was holding a bundle of folded clothes in her left arm and turned to look behind her. Dylan stood there, his arm brushing against Anna’s, causing all the clothes to tumble to the floor.

I-I’m sorry, Anna stammered. She immediately bent down to pick up the clothes scattered on the floor. Dylan also bent down, offering his help.

Samantha observed Anna and clicked her tongue in annoyance. Anna was someone who couldn’t go a single day without causing a problem. If it had been any other employee making the same mistake, Samantha would have reprimanded them immediately. However, it was different with Anna. Samantha pretended not to notice Anna’s mistake and continued watering the potted plants, as if indicating that regardless of the troubles Anna caused, she had no intention of scolding her.

Dylan appeared indifferent. Fold these again before putting them away, he instructed Anna, and then he left the room.

Anna stared at the door through which Dylan had departed for a moment before feeling Samantha’s gaze bearing down on her once more. Hastily, she set about refolding the clothes as instructed.

Did he forget? she pondered. Dylan had clearly seen her, looking directly into her eyes, yet it seemed like he didn’t recognize her at all. I never forgot about him, not even for a single moment during his absence. Did he truly forget about me?

With a disappointed expression on her face, Anna clutched Dylan’s clothes tightly, as if grasping him by the collar.

Only in the afternoon, when the sun reached its zenith, did Dylan have his first meal of the day. It was rather late. Due to his inability to decline his friends’ invitation to a welcome party the previous night, he ended up consuming an excessive amount of alcohol. Each step he took up the stairs throbbed in his head as a consequence of his hangover.

At the apex of the spiral staircase, a woman’s gravelly voice, tinged with age, spoke up. Would you like me to fetch you some snacks? she inquired.

It’s fine, came the weary but clear response. Dylan recognized it as his sister-in-law’s voice. I simply don’t have much of an appetite today.

That’s because you consistently eat like that every day. How about trying to increase your portion sizes starting today? Even if you lack the appetite, you must nourish yourself to live life to the fullest.

I’ll give it a try, then.

What about some dried figs?

The quick thinking of the seasoned woman seemed to amuse Carol, as a soft laughter echoed down the spiral staircase. Dylan felt glad that she could still find moments of amusement. A smile graced his face in response.

Alright, Carol acquiesced.

Please, proceed to your room first. I will bring them up to you right away.

With those words, hurried footsteps began to descend the stairs. Startled, Dylan’s smile vanished, replaced by a flustered expression. He looked around, searching for a suitable hiding spot, but the descending woman was slightly faster than him. She caught sight of Dylan and flinched in surprise.

However, she didn’t seem to harbor any suspicion toward him, simply nodding in greeting and continuing on her way. Upon further reflection, he realized he had no reason to hide. He wasn’t a suspicious figure. Dylan smirked at his own self-ridicule and resumed climbing the stairs.

On the second floor of the house resided Sir Crane and his wife, while David, Carol, and Dylan’s rooms occupied the third floor. The mansion’s floors were interconnected by spiral staircases, with one at the center and another at each end of the hallway. It was safe to say that, despite living on the same floor as David and Carol, it was unlikely for Dylan to run into Carol while traversing the house.

However, today was different. Dylan