In the Wake of the Wind (45 page)
Aiden snapped. “Damn you,” he cried. “Damn you for your petty jealousies, for your bitterness toward
Serafina,
all because she is everything you’re not. It must have killed you to hear the servants crying their eyes out the last few days, singing hymns outside the door while they kept a vigil for a mistress they love when all you’ve ever inspired in them is fear.”
He ran trembling fingers through his hair. “My God, I don’t know what happened to you to turn you into such a monster—you have been given nothing but love and kindness, sympathy that you didn’t even deserve. Damn you for trying to poison me against my own wife. But that wasn’t enough for you, was it, Charlotte? When that plot failed, you tried to murder her, didn’t you?”
Charlotte stared at him, hatred burning in her eyes. “All right,” she shrieked. “But it’s your own fault—everything is your fault. You brought her here, you let her displace me in my own home. You even threatened to send me away—me, your sister, your own flesh and blood.”
“You’re no sister of mine,” he roared. “Not any longer. And there’s only one place I can think of that’s fit for you, for I’m damned if you stay here for another day.”
Charlotte shrank back. “What—what do you mean to do with me?” she asked, her voice suddenly very small and frightened.
“You’re such a religious fanatic that I think that Anglican convent in Yorkshire you’ve spoken of so fondly will suit you best. You can spend the rest of your days repenting your sins, Charlotte, and I hope each one of those days brings you as much misery as you’ve given to the people around you. And not just for the first time.”
“No …” she moaned. “Oh, no—Aiden please. I’m sorry, I swear I am. I’ll make amends, I’ll even go to live on one of our lesser estates.”
“I think not,” he snapped. “Raphael, call for a footman to take her to her quarters. And you, Charlotte, pack your clothes. You won’t need much where you’re going.”
“Please—won’t you reconsider, Aiden?” she sobbed as Raphael forcibly pushed her back into her chair and wheeled her toward the door.
“I will not. You have worked the last of your evil here.”
“If I were you, Charlotte,” Raphael said tightly, “I would thank my lucky stars that Aiden isn’t bringing you up on charges of attempted murder.” He shut the door behind them, leaving a heavy silence behind. Aiden had nothing to say. He took Serafina’s hand in his, drawing strength from her gentle clasp.
“Aiden.” His father, looking as shaken as Aiden felt, laid a gentle hand on Aiden’s shoulder. “If it helps at all, my boy, I think you’ve made the right decision. As much as it pains me to say it, Charlotte deserves nothing less for what she’s done. What she tried once she might well try again, for I don’t think the girl is entirely balanced in her mind.”
Aiden soundlessly shook his head.
“I agree with your father,” Raphael said, returning to the room
alone.
“I don’t believe you had any other choice. A convent is the perfect place for Charlotte. Maybe she’ll learn some genuine piety.”
“I doubt that, but at least she’s going to be safely put away, and it’s about time,” Elspeth said tartly. “But never mind Charlotte.
Serafina
will make a full recovery, and that’s all that’s important.”
“I told the staff as much,” Raphael said. “You should have seen their faces—they looked as if they were going to burst into cheers.”
“As it should be.” Elspeth blew out the candles one by one. “So. The debt is released and the tragedies of the past cleared. You are all free to live your lives without fear of repeating the same mistakes. And you, Aiden, and you,
Serafina
are finally free to experience the fullness of your love for each other, as it was meant to be in the beginning.”
Serafina sighed, a soft little sound. “I’ve been charged with bringing you each a gift,” she said. She turned her head and looked at Raphael, who picked up her hand and squeezed it.
“For you the gift is the knowledge that never again will you fail to make your voice heard. And know that the devotion that sustained you then sustains you always.”
Rafe cleared his throat, then dropped a kiss on her hand. “Thank you,” he said quietly.
Serafina looked up at Lord Delaware. “You have won your battle. Never again will you desert those who love you. You have been given the gift of strength and the courage to follow your own path.”
She looked up at Elspeth and smiled. “And you, my dear aunt, already know what your gift is. You have finally learned to use it wisely.”
Elspeth’s face broke into a broad grin. “And you’re still a Miss Bossy-Boots. I don’t know why I bother with you at all.”
“Oh, yes you do,”
Serafina
retorted, her grin matching Elspeth’s. “You can’t keep from wanting to help people. Bishop, Wiccan, you have always followed the path of truth.”
“Naturally,” Elspeth said with satisfaction. “But I have always known that. And now I will leave you alone.” She picked up her censer, delivered one last beaming smile on them and pranced out.
Lord Delaware bent down and gently kissed Serafina’s forehead. “I’ll leave the two of you as well. An extraordinary day. Never heard anything like it, but all’s well that ends well.”
Raphael shook his head. “That’s putting it mildly. I think a large snifter of cognac would be in order.” He put his arm around Lord Delaware’s shoulder and led him out.
Aiden waited until the door had closed behind them, then sank down on the bed, drawing
Serafina
into his arms. “Sweetheart. I honestly don’t know what to say. As my father said, it’s been an extraordinary day.”
Serafina
gazed up at him. “Do you believe me now? That we really were destined to be together?”
“Oh, yes, I believe you,” he said fervently. “But, dear God, I feel as if we’ve just been through a hurricane.” He sighed and rested his cheek on her hair. He was weak with relief that it was all over, that
Serafina
was safe and sound and back in his arms. And he intended to keep her there until the day he died. Only this time he planned to die from old age.
Serafina
snuggled close against him. “A hurricane indeed,” she said. “But like a hurricane, the wake of the wind brings peace with it.”
“Peace,” he repeated, sensing a change deep in his soul. “For the first time in memory, I truly do feel peaceful as if something dangerous and unsettling has been blown away.”
Serafina
turned to Aiden, her eyes filled with such tenderness that it was all he could do not to kiss her senseless.
“It is your gift, my beloved,” she said, her hand lightly stroking his face, “to have been given clear sight. Never again will you confuse misplaced loyalty for love, for love will always guide you. And that is the greatest gift of all.”
His arms tightened around her, his heart squeezing just as hard.
“Serafina,”
he murmured against her hair. “I only know I love you. And you are a greater gift than I ever hoped for. That is more than enough for me.”
“So, Basil,”
Elspeth
crooned happily, having explained everything to the bird in satisfying detail. “There is only one thing left to be done before my work is complete and I can finally go home.”
She pulled out her book of magic, looking up the chant for invoking forgetfulness. “No need for any of them to carry the dark burden of memory any longer, now that it’s all been settled. The lessons will remain with them, deep in their hearts, but by morning they’ll have forgotten everything else, and that’s as it should be. The present will stay just that.”
She made her circle and cast her last spell, then put her book away for good.
Love would do the rest.
I’d like to thank Jan Hiland, as always, for her unerring eye to the first draft of manuscript, not to mention her brilliant administrative skills. Lisa Hamilton gave me not only a generous ear but much research advice concerning Wicca, and Jan Jouflas was a staunch friend and supporter. I thank them both.
Vangelis Socratous of Paphos was very generous with his time and friendship, introducing me to the “inner” spirit of Cyprus. It was also a pleasure to see my friends Ron and Margaret Evans, residents of Cyprus, who supplied invaluable help.
Most especially I thank my editor, Marjorie Braman, who had the faith to take this book on nothing more than a wing and a prayer and allowed me to fly. Her patience and enthusiasm for the project kept me going during many long, trying months.
To you, the readers, I love to hear your comments. Please visit my web page and blog at
katherinekingsley.com
and my Facebook page under
Katherine Kingsley
. Share your thoughts, read some of the background on the books, join in the ongoing adventure!
“Ominous rumors surrounding an exiled heir lead only to unquenchable curiosity for Georgia Wells. From bestselling author Katherine Kingsley.
“A charming tale with a refreshing twist. Engaging, witty and full of surprises.” – Mary Kirk, author of EMBERS
Nicholas Daventry of Ravenswalk is a handsome man of dangerous passions, exiled to India by his uncle for his scandalous behavior. With news that Nicholas is returning, the mistress of Ravenswalk, ravishing and ruthless Lady Jacqueline Raven, warns young Georgia Wells to stay away and beware her unpredictable nephew.
But despite the warnings, Nicholas’ return has the opposite effect on Georgia, leading her to a choice that will turn her life upside down. Prepared to claim the legacy of his birth that is his due, Nicholas drags Georgia into a world of dark passions, a terrible betrayal – and love.
“An irresistible read. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.” – Mary Jo Putney, author of SILK AND SHADOWS
“A rare delight…refreshingly different…an enchanting love story that will take full and immediate possession of your heart.” – Romantic Times
“Cultures clash and sparks fly when a willful Frenchman and an untamed British heiress meet. From bestselling author Katherine Kingsley.
“One of the romance genre’s best and brightest.” – Romantic Times
Orphaned as a child and raised by a British lord, Frenchman Pascal LaMartine is notorious for keeping the desires of his heart secret, even as the handsome man is beloved by all around him. British heiress Elizabeth Bowes is equally notorious for her wild spirit and refusal to wed. They have nothing in common until the day she accidentally lands at his feet and changes both their lives forever.
Brought together by destiny, threatened by shadows of the past, and drawn into a dangerous battle of wits, Pascal and Lily discover the true depths of passion and commitment and how perilous their love may be.
“A chance encounter in a faraway land is only the first step in a long and complicated dance with destiny. From bestselling author Katherine Kingsley.
“One of the romance genre’s best and brightest. Ms. Kingsley is a writer of infinite grace and exquisite perception.” – Romantic Times
Andre de Saint-Simon has no intentions of protecting Ali, the young woman whose life he saved, for long. As determined as Ali is to stay by his side, Andre is equally determined that they should continue their travels independently. But when he discovers Ali is actually the long-lost daughter of his mentor, Andre feels obligated to return her to England before moving on, alone.
Ali knows that it is her destiny to be with Andre. A clever matchmaker, Ali carefully orchestrates an arranged marriage for Andre – to Ali herself! Now bound together in matrimony, Ali and Andre are forced to match wits with an unexpected enemy and dance around their obvious desire before surrendering to deep passions they never knew existed
“Irresistible.” – Mary Jo Putney, author of SOMETIMES A ROGUE
“An Irish beauty and an English nobleman are star-crossed lovers in a fairy tale romance. From bestselling author Katherine Kingsley.
“An ardent and magical retooling of Cinderella…draws the reader in and leaves her holding her breath…emotionally compelling and intensely romantic.” – Romance Forever
Lucy Kincaid endures a life of drudgery and loneliness in her stepmother’s home, sustained only by her dreams of a better life and a man to share it with. She’s sure her wish is coming true when a golden stranger appears on the windswept cliffs of the Irish coast. But Lucy’s hopes are shattered when she realizes the man she’s lost her heart to is the despised Englishman whose family stole her birthright.
Raphael Montagu is obsessed with finding the mysterious Irish beauty who captured his heart at first sight. When he discovers fate has delivered her to him at a London ball, he’s crushed when she claims to have never seen him before. Even after sharing a kiss and hearing his declaration of undying love, the woman vanishes, leaving no clue as to her identity. Raphael’s only hope to find his true love is to return to the remote cliffs of Ireland and unravel the mystery that is keeping him from his heart’s desire.
“Miss Kingsley has woven a delightful tale…a sparkling gem.” – Romantic Times
“An innocent outcast is drawn in by the promises of a handsome stranger. From bestselling author Katherine Kingsley.
“A beautiful and uplifting story – the kind that makes readers sigh with pleasure and smile through their tears. Tender, sweet, joyous, sensual, and poignant, this novel is simply wonderful.” – Romantic Times
Gifted with the ability to read minds, but unable to remember much of her past, Meggie Bloom is a pariah without a future as she cares for the lost souls in Woodbridge Sanitarium. All that keeps her going are her dreams of a better life, until the handsome and mysterious Lord Hugo Montagu enters her life, promising the impossible: Lord Montagu will free Meggie from a life of drudgery, if she’ll agree to be his wife.
“Brilliantly written… Hugo is a great character whose behavior is changed by the love of a good woman. Meggie is magnificent as the heroine.” – Affaire de Coeur magazine
“A charming tale.” – Romance Reviews
“Driven away from England by scandal, a woman returns to confront a danger to protect the only family she has left. From bestselling author Katherine Kingsley.
“A timeless tale of the miracle of true love which conquers all, heals all, and makes all new again. Add interesting characters, unexpected plot twists, and a touch of the supernatural, and the result is a memorable, feel-good read.” – All About Romance
Despite having been driven from aristocratic English society in disgrace, Joanna is resolved to return to England after the death of her beloved cousin, Lydia. She is a woman on a mission, determined to rescue Lydia’s son from his father, the man Joanna suspects is responsible for Lydia’s untimely death. Guy de Salis, Marquess of Greaves, seems to be capable of anything.
Joanna’s wit and passion leave Guy feeling uneasy. Despite his own misgivings, he invites her to be his son’s governess, an invitation Joanna warily accepts in order to better protect her family. What neither expected was to see the boy bloom under Joanna’s care, or for love to blossom in the most unlikely of circumstances.
“A true gem…a sheer delight. Guy is possibly one of the best heroes I’ve read in years and you won’t want to miss THE SOUND OF SNOW. I treasured every word.” – The Book Nook
