‘The woman Latimer cultivated, and who supplied the most troublesome children, has been arrested. She will be charged with neglect and the bishop has promised that the entire management of the home will be overhauled.’
‘I’m glad to hear that. But what about all the men who participated in the exorcisms?’
‘I’ve left them to the bishop. He will be visiting them all, telling them he is aware of their perversions and frighten the life out of them. They care too much about their public images to ever involve themselves in anything similar again.’ Archie sighed. ‘It’s not satisfactory but it’s the best outcome we could have hoped for. At least no more children will be tortured to satisfy those men’s carnal needs.’
‘And Conrad?’
Archie sighed. ‘He can’t be charged without the whole sorry business being revealed. His new employers will be told partial truths and he will lose his position. The bishop intends to strongly encourage him to leave the country, since his safety cannot be guaranteed. He will never use his arm again as he once did. The disability I inflicted will cause him pain and inconvenience, as the disability he inflicted upon me does. Poetic justice, if you like.’
‘You are leaving it all to the bishop to tidy up?’
‘At his request. Your father’s threat to expose his own secret has been neutralised. No one will believe him since they will assume he is making up stories to save his own hide or as a form of revenge for losing his position.’ Archie smiled. ‘I think the bishop is enjoying cleaning up his own house.’
‘I am sure he is.’
A long silence descended upon the room.
‘Tell me again why you cannot marry me.’ When she paused, he pushed his case. ‘I’m not Luke. I don’t deride your psychic powers. In fact, I fully approve.’
‘You do?’
‘I do. Melanie has them too, and they helped you both when you were at Conrad’s mercy.’
‘She does. That’s how I found her so quickly yesterday. Remus, our spirit guide, relayed her thoughts to me.’
‘He’s here now?’ Archie asked, brushing the side of his face.
Flora gasped. ‘You can see or hear him?’
‘No, but I can sense him.’
‘He’s impossibly nosy and wouldn’t miss this moment, not even to watch the lions devouring the latest serving of Christians at the Coliseum.’
‘I love you, Flora,’ Archie said softly. ‘Every disobedient inch of you, and I wouldn’t change any part of you.’
‘All well and good, Archie,’ she replied, wondering if she dared, ‘but this house—’
‘Is a mausoleum, well overdue to be updated. I’ve never seen the point, living here alone, but you can have a free hand…’
‘I can?’ She smiled at him. ‘You are making it very difficult for me to reject your proposal.’
He waggled his brows at her. ‘Whatever it takes. I should warn you that I have no intention of fighting fair. When there is something that I want as badly as I want you, then the rules of gentlemanly conduct fly out the window.’
‘Oh, Archie!’
‘Melanie will want for nothing. Your other two sisters can live here if you’d like them to as well.’
‘No.’ She shook her head. ‘They are too much like my mother and Pamela. Mama will stay with our father. She is cold and unfeeling, totally dedicated to him and would never believe any of the accusations levelled against him, even if she gets to hear about them. She never disagrees with a word Papa says, and the girls have been raised in her image. We have absolutely nothing in common.’
‘That’s decided then. What other objections do you plan to raise?’ he asked with a seductive smile.
‘Give me a moment. I am sure I will think of something.’
‘Well, in the meantime.’ He reached behind him, opened a drawer and withdrew a velvet box. She gasped when he opened it and displayed a magnificent emerald and diamond ring. ‘It was my mother’s, and I want to see it on your finger more than you could possibly know. Why don’t we try it on for size, just in case you decide in my favour?’
‘That’s blackmail!’ she cried, waggling her finger as the ring refracted the light from all angles, making her feel like a goddess. ‘It’s a perfect fit.’
‘So it is.’ He pulled her onto his uninjured knee and kissed her. ‘Take pity on a desperate man.’
She laughed. ‘On Pawson, you mean? He’s desperate to marry Polly, but Polly is loyal to me and can’t be in two places at once.’
‘But if you were to become my marchioness, Polly would come here with you as your personal maid, which would make Pawson and Polly happy, as well as providing a solid future for little Alice.’ Archie nuzzled her neck, dropping a line of kisses down its length.
‘Well, I suppose, for Polly’s sake.’ She slipped the ring from her finger and handed it back to him. ‘But let’s keep this to ourselves for now. Let Luke and Violet have their day before we make our announcement.’
‘Just so long as you agree to marry me, I can wait as long as you like.’ He paused. ‘Remind me again, how many weeks is it before Luke and Violet marry?’
Flora laughed as she wrapped her arms around the neck of the man she adored and gloried in the feel of his masculine power. She was unsurprised when she glanced up and Remus’s image appeared. He fanned his face with a translucent hand, ogling Archie and no doubt envying Flora. But it was the image of the countess, young and vibrant again as she appeared beside Remus, that took Flora’s breath away.
She smiled and couldn’t resist telling Flora that…well, that she’d told her so.
The End
About the Author
Hi, I do hope you enjoyed A Sense of Fate. If so, please take a moment to leave a review on Amazon. I’d love to hear what you thought of this particular novel – what you enjoyed most about it and what you didn’t like. Constructive criticism is always welcome.
Reach me at wendysoliman@rocketmail.com
I’m a British author, brought up on the Isle of Wight, but now live in Andorra. I share my life with my long-suffering husband and a rescued dog of indeterminate pedigree named Jake Bentley after the hero in one of my books. Both Jakes are handsome mongrels with independent spirits and wild streaks.
I’ve had over sixty books published, ranging from Regency romance, (my first love), to contemporary women’s fiction and marine crime mysteries.
When not writing I walk miles with my dog, make half-hearted visits to the gym, read other people’s tomes…oh, and I’m on a one woman mission to keep the wine trade profitable!
Check out all of my books, and learn more about me from my website: http:www.wendysoliman.com
Or on my Amazon author page author.to/wendys
Follow me on twitter @wendyswriter or on Facebook: Wendy Soliman - Author
Also available from this Author
Historical Romance
Stand Alone Regencies
Lady Hartley’s Inheritance
Duty’s Destiny
A Reason to Rebel
Forgotten Heiress
For Want of a Reputation
Christmas at Castleray
Ava’s Passion
Lady Mysterious
Disinherited
Divided Loyalties
A Scandalous Proposition
The Perfect Impostor
Lady Impetuous
Sacrificial Bride
Dangerous Dukes Series
To Defy a Duke
The Duke’s Legacy
A Duke by Default
Of Dukes and Deceptions
Game of Dukes
Dukes and Indiscretions
Never Dare a Duke
Mrs. Darcy Entertains Series Boxset
Miss Bingley’s Revenge / Colonel Fitzwilliam’s Dilemma / Miss Darcy’s Passion / Kitty Bennet’s Despair / Lydia Wickham’s Journal
Pemberley – The Next Generation Series Vols 1 – 3 Boxset
Emma Bingl
ey’s Romantic Nature / Naomi Sanford’s Compassionate Nature / Bella Darcy’s Impetuous Nature
Pemberley – The Next Generation Series Vols 4 – 6 Boxset
Eleanor Bingley’s Rebellious Nature / Rosie Turner’s Contrary Nature / Susie Darcy’s Tenacious Nature
Simon Bingley’s Resolve
Ducal Encounters Series 1
At the Duke’s Discretion
With the Duke’s Approval
Portrait of a Duke
For the Duke’s Pleasure
In the Duke’s Estimation
Captivating the Duke
Ducal Encounters Series 2
Reunited with the Duke
Christmas with the Duke
Representing the Duke
Safeguarding the Duke
Acting for the Duke
Emulating the Duke
Ducal Encounters Series 3
Conspiring with the Duke
Dedicated to the Duke
Impugning the Duke’s Honour
By Order of the Duke
Supporting the Duke
Protecting the Duke’s Interests
Ducal Encounters Series 4
As the Duke’s Agent
Masquerading with the Duke
On the Duke’s Authority
Beyond the Duke’s Domain
Carlton House Cartel
Amara
The Forsters
Compromising the Marquess
Beguiling the Barrister
Finessing the Contessa
Romancing the Runaway
Victorian Vigilante Series Boxset
Saving Grace / Heirs and Graces / With Good Grace / Fall From Grace / Social Graces / Elegance and Grace
Riley Rochester Investigates Series
Death of a Debutante
Death of a Courtesan
Death of a Prosecutor
Death of a Scoundrel
Death of an Artist
Death of a Recluse
Death of a Matriarch
Death of a Footman
Perceptions Series
A Sense of Belonging
A Sense of Purpose
A Sense of Misgiving
A Sense of Injustice
A Sense of Turmoil
A Sense of Destiny
A Sense of Fate
Contemporary Titles
English Contemporary Romance Boxset: Reinventing Radleigh/ Shalimar/Silver Lining
English Contemporary Romance Boxset 2: Name of the Game / Downsizing / Topspin
The Hunter Files Boxset: Unfinished Business /
Risky Business/ Lethal Business