“I do indeed.”
“Should we perhaps sit?” Rosaline made the wry suggestion. “Or we could just stand and continue this witty badinage…”
“Hecate?” Simon glanced at Rosaline as he seated Tabitha.
Rosaline shook her head. “Not yet. But she went out into the gardens yesterday again. Dal carried her to the terrace for an hour or so.”
“Excellent,” smiled Simon, taking his own chair.
“How marvellous,” smiled Kitty. “Now…” she gestured with her hands. “I have news.”
“Ah,” smiled Simon. “Let us guess. You’re expecting.”
“What?” Kitty’s head whipped around to stare at her brother. “No…no of course not.”
“Not for lack of trying, you understand,” remarked Max to the table at large.
“That’s a given,” snickered Letitia.
“Oh for God’s sake. Can’t you people have an ordinary conversation for once?” Rosaline thumped her hand on the table. “Now everyone pipe down so Kitty may deliver her news.”
All eyes turned to Kitty.
“Richard’s back in London.”
“Ohhh…” Rosaline looked pleased as she smiled at her husband.
“And he’s married…”
To Be Continued in
Blackmailed by the Bride, Book 5 in the Six Pearls of Baron Ridlington Series
In case you may have missed any of the first three novels in this series, and would like to catch up/find out how this family’s adventures began, here are excerpts from Edmund’s story, Simon’s adventures with Tabitha, and the start of Letitia’s literary career.
Links to all three books, available at Amazon.com, can be found in the bibliography, as well as at the end of each excerpt. (If you are a Kindle Unlimited subscriber, you may read these books—and most of Sahara Kelly’s other novels—for free.)
THE LANDLOCKED BARON
Book 1 in the Six Pearls of Baron Ridlington Series
“I do beg your pardon.”
Everyone’s head turned. The slender blonde stepped forward. “Oh please don’t. We should be thanking you for your care of our brother.” She put down her glass and came forward. “I’m Letitia Ridlington.”
“Miss Ridlington.” The woman curtseyed. “I’m happy to say that your brother is doing well. He has a headache, which is to be expected. But he sustained no other injury than a nasty knock on the head and the doctor expects him to make a full recovery.”
“You managed to reach Dr. Fisher, then?” Simon inquired.
“I did, sir. He had planned to attend the funeral, but said a local woman was in the throes of childbirth. The arrival delayed him, and he could only stay for a few moments, before hurrying back to the mother and babe.”
“One life ends and another begins.” Hecate sipped her champagne. “I’m Hecate. The last Ridlington. I don’t believe we’ve met?”
“Forgive me.” The woman paused. “I should introduce myself. I am Rosaline Henry, currently employed as companion to Lady Fincham.”
“We owe you an enormous debt of gratitude, Miss Henry,” said Kitty. “You handled all the confusion so well and with such an air of command. Everyone obeyed you without question and what could have been a terrible disaster was utterly averted. I was astounded.”
Rosaline felt the color rise in her cheeks, but kept her voice level. “You are too kind.” She stepped a little further into the room. “To be accurate, I am Mrs. Henry. My husband passed away last year which circumstance forced me into the position I have now with Lady Fincham.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry.” Hecate moved to her side and touched her arm in sympathy.
“Thank you. But we must move on with our lives.” It was a practical and appropriate response, but Rosaline was moved, all the same.
“Our brother is doing well, you said, Mrs. Henry. That is good news indeed. Do you have medical skills?” Simon beckoned her to a chair and seated her, his voice kind.
“Not as such, sir. But I nursed my husband for several years. He sustained an injury during his service with Lord Nelson and our brave fleet. It left him unable to assume his duties, and quite unwell. It was that which claimed him after an extended period of pain. A sad time.”
“One learns a lot from such an experience, Ma’am.” Simon’s eyes were gentle. “Your fortitude is to be commended.”
“I appreciate your words, Vicar.” She dipped her head. “I believe you have the Ridlington living? You minister to its flock?”
Simon nodded. “I do. And it is quite gratifying work. Although,” he paused, his hand to his chin, “I can’t say that I recall seeing the Finchams in church of a Sunday…”
Noting his quiet grin, Rosaline smiled. “I’m afraid the Finchams aren’t of a religious turn, sir. I had suggested we attend services, but was overruled.”
“I hear that being overruled goes hand in hand with anything to do with Lady Fincham.” A younger man spoke, his voice full of laughter. “I’m Richard Ridlington, Mrs. Henry. And this is my twin, Kitty.” He waved his hand at his sister. “Now you’ve met us all. Not on the happiest of occasions…” he lifted his champagne glass, “but we are, in fact, celebrating our continued existence. And now, thanks to you, we can also celebrate our oldest brother’s recovery from what could have been a fatal injury.”
“Indeed, Mrs. Henry. We are truly in your debt.”
Rosaline found a glass of champagne in her hand, placed there by Letitia Ridlington.
“Please join us? To life and living and new opportunities…” She raised her glass as everyone echoed her sentiments.
Rosaline joined them, somewhat amazed at the concentration of diverse but equally powerful personalities all in one room. And all in one family.
The Ridlingtons were certainly a force to be reckoned with. She wondered if Edmund, the eldest brother and now the Baron, was equally dynamic. He would have to be if he was going to take this lot in hand.
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St. SIMON’S SIN
Book 2 in the Six Pearls of Baron Ridlington Series
Simon became aware of the silence as the last of the carriages rolled away. The birds still sang, the ocean still provided a background of soft wave sounds, and the breeze ruffled the leaves in the trees and on the hedges that bordered either side of the lane.
“We should walk,” she said.
“Indeed.” Politely, he offered her his arm.
“I’m not decrepit, you know.” She lifted an eyebrow at his gesture.
“I wasn’t implying anything of the sort and you know it.” He sighed. “I was merely offering an arm. Must we always come to daggers drawn?”
She lifted her chin. “No. And I apologize. That was my fault.” She took his arm.
“Apology accepted.”
They began to follow the lane, strolling easily between the laurels and the wildflowers walling them in to their own private walk.