Lily of the Manor

Book Series: Stand Alone Title

Publishing Date: 2017

Author: Anita Stansfield

Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.

Category: LDS Historical Romance

Point of View: Third Person Limited: Fredrick and Lily

Chapter Count: 14

Page Count: 246

Chapter 1        The Tutor

Northern England--1807  (as opposed to Southern?)

      Meet the tired and very footsore Frederick Woodstone who walked all the way from the nearest town in the pouring rain to Broadbent Manor where he has a job interview for the position of tutor-room and board included. Frederick has short brown hair. He also has no qualms setting his umbrella aside during his walk, lifting his face to the sky and drinking rainwater to quench his thirst, never mind his now soaking wet hair, face, clothes and muddy shoes. He arrives looking very disheveled but the housekeeper, Mrs. Pilfer, welcomes him warmly.

     The Lady of the house, Mrs. Broadbent who conducts the interview, is a very unusual looking young woman. Aside from being of normal height with blue eyes, wearing the latest fashion, her hair styled in an attractive coiffure, she is thin of face and figure while her hair is (gasp!) white to go with her equally pale complexion. (She's an albino with a very good hairdresser) Frederick has no problem with being interviewed by a woman who looks like a witch. Mrs. Broadbent questions him about his past and Frederick is happy to share his story:

      After fleeing an abusive alcoholic father when he was just a baby, Frederick was lucky his angel mother never let bitterness or anger affect her attitude about life. A devout Christian, this single mother raised him on the Bible, took him to church, did her best to bring him up as a contributing member of society; well mannered, educated, kind and God-fearing. After she died, Frederick decided to pursue a career in the church and become a vicar but soon realized teaching children was his true calling in life. So, here he is.

    Mrs. Broadbent, in turn, reveals she is a widow. Her late husband died several years ago. They never had any children and with this huge, empty house just sitting here along with all her inherited wealth, she decided to fill it with orphaned cast-offs and raise them as her own. There are eleven of them and, for some strange reason, none of the tutors she's hired for them in the past have been able to stick it out. She tells Frederick she has a good feeling about him. She leads him to the schoolroom allowing him several minutes to meet with each child individually. Frederick wants to jump for joy. It would appear he's been hired!

     Naturally, all eleven children absolutely LOVE it here! They have no psychological issues as a result of being abandoned by their birth parents and family and are happy calling Mrs. Broadbent, "Mama." She legally adopted every one of them. They are all thirsty for learning and appear perfectly willing to accept this father figure tutor as their new teacher.

    Shown to his room where he can freshen up before dinner, Frederick can't believe his good luck in landing such a posh position. He kneels to pray, returning thanks to God for leading him to this amazing place before taking a quick nap.

Chapter 2     Belonging

       Meanwhile, Lily Broadbent has to lean against a wall and catch her breath. Mr Woodstone appears to be the answer to every single one of her prayers. A good, kind, Christian man who shares her love of children and (squee!) is single to boot! Of course it is much too early in the novel to start entertaining any romantic ideas, but Lily knows this man was sent by God into her life for a reason. Best of all, Mr. Woodstone was completely accepting of her unusual physical appearance. Lily recalls her marriage to her late husband who never told her she was beautiful or even lovely but he treated her well and, for Lily, that was all that mattered...until now.

    After the Butler offers a blessing on the food, Frederick is impressed when Mrs. Broadbent joins the rest of the staff in the servants' dining hall for dinner where nobody bats an eye. Conversation is very pleasant as the Lady of the House shares with the servants how she finally got the children settled down, all tucked in for the night and that Nellie the Governess is sitting with them now. All chuckle at the antics of the children, who appear to be at the center of this little universe. They also want to hear all about the newest member of their household. Frederick feels like he truly belongs here and looks forward to getting to know his female employer better. (Honestly Anita! Have you NEVER watched even one episode of Downton Abbey?)

     A week passes. Frederick finds himself settling in quite nicely. The children hardly give him any trouble and are good scholars who enjoy his lessons; especially the nature walks outside where he makes them draw and observe all of God's creations. (No fidget spinners required for these kids!) He attends church that Sunday with Mrs. Pilfer the Housekeeper, Nellie the Governess, Lily, and her entire brood. Lily is especially grateful to have a man in the party to help keep the energetic, mischievous boys in line. Frederick has a short chat with them, revealing he used to be a vicar himself and so, if they have any respect at all for him or their God-fearing adoptive mother, they might want to focus on their church behavior today during services. It works like a charm. Mrs. Broadbent is so impressed, all seven boys blush at her compliment, Frederick too! Everyone insists Frederick join them for their traditional Sunday dinner and Frederick promises to be in the dining room at two.

Chapter 3     The Lily

      Everyone is seated around the table. Lily takes her place at the head of the table, Frederick is given the opposite end and asked to offer the blessing which he is more than happy to do. (It's almost like they were a married couple!) The Housekeeper and Governess are also here amidst the eleven children who must give a report on everything they learned this week and the insights they gained from today's sermon. It would appear the pre-Victorian era parenting style of children being seen and not heard does not apply here. So as not to inconvenience the kitchen staff, Sunday dinner is always served cold. Everyone carries their plates to the kitchen and does their own washing up. Who needs servants?

    Later that week, Frederick takes the children on another nature sketch walk. One girl is especially excited to see the lilies of the valley are blooming. This is where Frederick learns Lily is Mrs. Broadbent's given name. He talks to her about it later when Lily asks if he might cancel classes tomorrow and come with them on another kind of educational outing-calling on those less fortunate who reside on her estate with a picnic lunch and games afterwards.

   The outing is enjoyed by all, except Nellie the Very Single Governess. Lily noticed her making eyes at Frederick who was completely blind, until Lily spoke to him about it last night, advising him to talk to Nellie and let her know if her feelings of attraction are reciprocated.

   It's a very awkward conversation. While Frederick admires Nellie very much (she's a sweet spirit) unfortunately he can never feel anything more than friendship for her. (No, he's not gay). Poor Nellie starts to cry over her innocent assumptions and infatuation for him. Frederick reassures her she's done nothing wrong in pining for him. Nellie swallows her emotion, declares she understands and walks away with her head held high. Frederick watches her go; pity there's not enough of him to go around.

    We later learn in another conversation between Frederick and Lily that Fredrick is twenty-nine and Lily is thirty-one (Lily's a cougar!).

Chapter 4       Quietly Sharing

      As more days and weeks pass, Lily and Frederick marvel (as Anita Stansfield characters often do) at how effortlessly these weak plot complications and minor story conflicts are working out. Again, at Lily's request, Frederick accompanies her on another Pollyanna do-gooder visit. This time to a widower with two children. The widower can't seem to snap out of his melancholy and be the father his children so desperately need. Since Frederick used to be a vicar, Lily was hoping he could provide the comfort and counsel needed. He does and everyone is moved. The man weeps. So grateful to have been brought back into the land of the living. He invites them back any time.

   Their next stop is another widower by the name of Sawyer who is NOT so grateful for their visit. He yells and swears at Lily who, in turn, wonders why can she can hear a child crying behind the closed door with unmistakable sounds of physical abuse. Mr. Sawyer's wife and child are supposedly DEAD! Lily is determined to find and rescue this mystery child. Frederick is nothing less than appalled. She has no legal right to interfere, no matter what she thought she heard. No proof this child is indeed Mr. Sawyer's (who looks old enough to be the boy's grandfather). The carriage arrives back at the mansion but Lily and Frederick exit not speaking to each other. Their first argument.

    Next day, after school lessons are done, Frederick receives a note from Lily inviting him on another call to a family plagued by chicken pox. Nellie happens to observe the entire scene. Learning the details, she teases him for being such a complete dolt of a man-Lily LIKES him!

Chapter 5     Hidden Child

    Frederick and Lily make up in the carriage but Frederick is, once again, shocked at Lily's eccentric behavior as she walks into the house of sickness and immediately picks up one of the afflicted children, having never had chicken pox herself. 

    Frederick chews her out about it (foreshadowing). This is 1807 woman. People DIE from such harmless exposure! Lily gasps, realizing she could be putting her adoptive children in danger. Then again, this could be just the excuse she needs to execute the plan she has in mind.

     Back in the carriage, tension is (again) thick between Frederick and Lily. Lily sheepishly admits she's not sure if she ever had chicken pox. She was raised in an orphanage, you see, and never knew her parents or their medical history. She ran away when she was thirteen, living on the streets until her husband found her, took her home, gave her work, and eventually decided to marry her. Frederick retires immediately to his room upon their return; pacing and fretting and praying for Lily and her outrageous efforts to save all the discarded children of the world.

    Just then he notices a parked carriage in the drive outside. Two of the younger menservants lingering, as if waiting for someone. Frederick rushes down just in time to see Lily's cloaked and hooded figure climbing into the carriage. Learning she is going to Mr. Sawyer's to investigate; hops in after her. The two servants know Mr. Sawyer is at the local pub right now which means the house is unattended. Darkness also provides the necessary cover they need for this rescue mission.

    The boy's name is Danny. While he looks nine or ten, he speaks like a two year old and practically throws himself into their arms, begging them to take him away before his mean, alcoholic father finds him and beats him again before locking him back in the cellar of eternal neglect. Lily and Frederick exchange looks. They must get this child back to the house where the housekeeper and governess help him get cleaned up, fed and tucked into a warm bed. A doctor is also called to the house to examine the boy (and so they can claim some kind of legal evidence of child abuse?) Lily will feign illness for the next few days and stay with Danny who is being kept in a separate room, away from the other children who won't be told until later, when Danny is ready to re-join civilization. Frederick is a little disturbed to learn Danny is not the first child to undergo this kind of "detox."

Chapter 6     Equal in Strength 

     It doesn't take long for Frederick to get over his uncomfortable feelings about Lily's rescue of Danny as his growing feelings of attraction for Lily can also no longer be contained. The first opportunity he has, Frederick takes Lily in his arms and kisses her, declaring he's new at this courtship stuff. Lily swoons. She likes him too!

    Next morning, Frederick checks on Lily and Danny in their secluded room. At least one week passes in which Fredrick takes an hour or two every day to work with Danny who can barely read and write but he progresses rapidly. Both adults feel confident Danny is almost ready to be introduced to the rest of the household.

    As for Frederick and Lily, both feel the urgency to get married...soon. Mr. Broadbent never kissed Lily the way Fredrick does. Fredrick is glad to hear it.

     Then, one evening after dinner, Lily's financial adviser comes to call with some mildly disturbing news regarding Lily's will. She and Frederick exchange worried looks.

Chapter 7     The Solution

      The news is, according to English law, women like Lily cannot leave their entire estate and fortune to adopted children. It would really help if she were married and had a man for the law to recognize as the estate and children's legal guardian and heir.

    No problem, says Lily, she'll just marry Fredrick and skips down the hall to the schoolroom.

    Frederick is a little shocked at such an offer but agrees it is the perfect solution.

    Not to mention Lily was exposed to chicken pox and could drop dead at any time.

    Marriage must happen...NOW.

    They sit the children down after supper and spring the news on them. Everyone cheers and applauds. Guess they don't have a problem with it.

      A carriage is made ready with lots of blankets and pillows so they can ride through the night with a minimum degree of comfort to Scotland where they are quietly married sometime after 9am. (My dear Harriet, you will laugh when you know where I am gone...)

    Just like that, they climb back into the carriage for the return journey to Northern England.

Chapter 8      Taken

      The bride and groom stare dreamily into each other's eyes all the way home. Lily can't believe she was ever married before, to a man who treated her more like a respected friend than a wife. He certainly never made love to her-holding her hand and spontaneously kissing her-like Frederick does. Back at the mansion, everyone is completely fine with Frederick being recognized as the head of the household and the children scream and dance and hug Fredrick-having a new father, their little cup of joy overflows.

     Frederick and Lily are too tired that night to consummate their relationship. Both fall asleep quickly, but when Frederick awakens in the early morning dawn, the sight of his sexy, white-haired wife next to him is too tempting to resist! Then it's time to get up and face another work day and all the usual routines. (Really? I'm sure no one would've begrudged them a day in bed! Only in an Anita Stansfield novel could such a life changing event as marriage be treated as casually as a trip to the grocery store.)

      It would seem nothing could mar this perfect world. Lily shows no signs of contracting chicken pox and dying (not yet) while the children continue to thrive under the tutelage of their new teacher-turned-father. Danny is also doing just fine in solitary confinement. Frederick continues to spend a few hours every day with him.

    Then, one day, Lily isn't feeling good. She contracts a mild fever. Desiring a cup of tea in the middle of the night, she slips downstairs in her wrapper and slippers to the kitchens. She is standing at the range heating the kettle when suddenly a dirty hand claps over her mouth and she is carried away. 

     Lily comes to in the pitch black cellar of what could only be Mr. Saywer's place. Who else would do such a thing? Her hands are bound. She is both afraid and filled with hope. Surely Frederick and the rest of the household will have discovered her absence, realized what happened and mount a rescue party. She only needs to hang on for a few hours.

    Just then, the cellar door opens and Mr. Sawyer descends holding a lamp. The expression on his face is like Bob Ewell or maybe something out of a horror movie.

    Oh, and he's also carrying a pair of scissors.

Chapter 9       The True Lily

      Gentle readers may want to avert their eyes for the uncharacteristically dark and violent scene that follows. The old man spends several minutes ranting, raving and cussing a blue streak at Lily and his resentment over her membership in the 1% club. He then proceeds to grab handfuls of Lily's white hair, hacking away near the scalp with the scissors.
     Outraged and humiliated, Lily sobs before rage overpowers self-pity prompting her to swing both bound fists at Sawyer, knocking him off balance. She topples a nearby table on him, kicks him in the groin (flashback to her life on the streets) before stabbing him in the thigh with the scissors for good measure. (You go girl!)
    Still sobbing, as well as silently praying God to forgive her un-Christian-like behavior, (I'm not kidding) Lily stumbles outside where it is still pitch black. Lily knows she must make her way back to the boarders of her estate before succumbing to the chicken pox illness she KNEW she was coming down with. Too late, she collapses onto the ground.
     Frederick wakes at dawn. Discovering Lily gone, the kitchen door wide open, evidence of her tea making interrupted, he takes off in the carriage for Sawyer's. Two of the male staff accompany him, the same who assisted in Danny's rescue. 
    They find Sawyer moaning and cursing in the cellar, refusing to admit to anything. They toss a few rags at him so he won't bleed to death (very Christian of them). Seeing the white locks of hair scattered over the dirt floor it's not hard to deduce what happened. They return outside into the surrounding woods to split up and search for Lily who didn't get very far. She is conscious when they find her.
    Lily is soon helped into a warm bath, fresh nightclothes and tucked into bed where she shivers with fever. Frederick sits by her side, holding her hand, insisting the loss of her hair only makes her more beautiful in his eyes. She WILL overcome this illness! And all the trauma she just experienced, too. The doctor arrives and pronounces her very ill with chicken pox, but not nigh unto death. Everyone breathes a sigh of relief.
    Lying in bed, a victim of both horrible nightmares and the delirium of her illness, Lily feels like she's been thrown back in time, when she was a nobody living on the streets. Her husband had taught her to find herself, "the true Lily," he'd called her. Frederick too had encouraged her in this but Lily wonders if she can ever rise above this assault.

Chapter 10      On the Brink

      Lily's condition grows worse when she contracts pneumonia. Frederick is ready to kill Sawyer for what he subjected her to, but, because he is a good, Bible reading Christian, he will content himself with staying home, not leaving Lily's side while the rest of the staff steps in caring for Danny (who also contracted chicken pox, but he's young and will bounce back so nobody cares). Nellie takes over teaching duties. The atmosphere in the home grows somber. Even the children start to act out, knowing Mama could drop dead at any moment.
    At last, Lily's fever breaks, her itchy pocks begin to scab over and heal (everyone else in the house already had the virus) and she comes around for the first time in days. Frederick weeps when she opens her eyes and says his name. He continues to assist in nursing her, feeding her broth and reading aloud while she convalesces. The children are brought in with handmade gifts and get well cards. Danny is brought in separately. He's already made a full recovery but Frederick did take some time to sit with him, too, as plot exposition so Frederick could witness Danny's recurring nightmares about his mean old father and the abuse he suffered, begging his new father not to let his old father come and take him away. It was all rather disturbing to Frederick.
     More days pass and Lily feels well enough to let Frederick carry her downstairs to the servants' dining hall where she can eat and socialize again for the first time in many weeks. 
Life is better.

Chapter 11      The Hand of Irony

      The irony is that no one, NO ONE, in this household of pious Christians filed any charges against Mr. Sawyer for kidnapping and assault. They did send one of the male servants over to make sure Sawyer got the proper care he needed. It would be a shame if he died on them before justice could be met. 
     An officer of the law comes knocking and is invited in. Turns out, Sawyer beat Lily to the punch by filing his own assault charge against HER! Lily explains why-as a Christian woman, a law abiding citizen who loves children and does her best to make sure all the tenants on her estate, including Mr. Sawyer, are cared for-she felt the need to stab Mr. Sawyer in the thigh with a pair of scissors. Oh, and does he like her new haircut?
    The officer believes her. It doesn't take much prodding to get Lily to reveal the whole story. She does have Danny in her care and, despite being a poor, helpless, widowed/remarried woman with no legal rights, the law should justify every single one of her actions. The officer agrees and leaves. As far as he's concerned, this case is closed.
    Several days later, word reaches them about Sawyer's condition. Since Lily stabbed him with the scissors, he has been too ill and feverish to get out of bed. Now, thanks to Lily and her exposure to the illness, Sawyer is practically on his death bed. Chicken Pox strikes again! Lily feels terrible. She will go over and nurse him back to health right away. Frederick stops her. He'll do it. 

Chapter 12     Mistaken Identity

     Because it is the right thing to do, Frederick parks himself by Sawyer's side: feeding him broth, reading aloud from the Bible he happened to notice lying nearby and bathing his feverish brow. At first Sawyer is too delirious to notice, Frederick even confesses how much he hates him but after these many hours spent doing good to someone who persecuted him, admits he's come to forgive Sawyer for what he did to his wife and their newly adopted son.
     Sawyer wakes up. He moans and starts ranting about the most absurd things Frederick ever heard. Sawyer seems to think Frederick is HIS SON! He confesses his own shame in what he did to Frederick's mother, his brother, how sorry he is for everything. How glad he is that Frederick came back. He begs Frederick to forgive him. Puzzled, but wanting the poor man's mind to be at ease, Frederick frankly forgives him. Sometime later that night, Sawyer dies.
   Frederick returns to Lily and tells her about the mistaken identity. Both agree there might be more to Danny's story than anybody knew. Who was this brother Sawyer mentioned on his deathbed? What was his name? What really happened the night Danny's mother died? Frederick shows Lily the family Bible he lifted from the house; by rights it belongs to Danny anyway.
     For some reason, neither of them think to check behind the front cover of the Holy Book for some of the genealogical information they might be seeking.

Chapter 13      Introduced to the World

      The officer from chapter 11 returns. With Sawyer dead, everyone can discuss "The Danny Situation" openly. Because no doctor was ever called in to identify the bodies of Mr. Sawyer's wife and child, whom he took the liberty of burying in unmarked graves somewhere out in the woods, the law considers Danny to be dead. Once the truth comes out, someone will need to adopt the boy before the law claims him and puts him in an orphanage. A perfect solution is agreed upon: Lily and Fredrick will sneak Danny out of the house, take him away on a three day road trip and return with a story about finding Danny at an orphanage and being inspired to bring him home. Everyone will believe it.
    Fredrick and Lily sit Danny down alone and gently break the news about his father and that they would like to be his new parents. Feeling absolutely no grief over his loss, Danny flies into their arms, (again) sobbing for joy. He has no problem going along with their story. 
    Next stop, the nursery and schoolroom to let the rest of the children know they will be leaving for a few days to follow a strong prompting that a twelfth child should be rescued and brought into their home. Naturally, the children agree, the more the merrier, wish their parents happy hunting, and promise to make the new child feel welcome when he (or she) arrives. This isn't the first time Lily has sat them down for such a talk.
    Neither Lily or Frederick can sleep that night in anticipation of the trip they will soon embark on. Danny has the time of his life. They visit shops where his parents buy him new books and toys, eat at pubs so Danny can get used to being in public and mingling with strangers and stay at Inns where Danny chats with everyone he meets like a normal boy his age would.
    On their last night, just before tucking Danny into his cot in their room, Danny breaks down and reveals what really happened the day his mother died: She and Sawyer were arguing and he hit her. Hard. Hard enough to make her fall and hit her head. She died instantly. Since Danny was the only witness, his father locked him away and lied to the police who believed his story. Poor Danny was kept hidden away until the day Lily found him. All weep together at this miracle.
    Later that night, Lily whispers to Fredrick she's pretty sure she's pregnant.

Chapter 14       Family Circle

      Danny is welcomed and he does his best to pretend he's never seen this house before nor met any of the staff who took care of him who also play along as if they'd never met the boy. The children invite him into their circle immediately after he's introduced. School lessons resume and the adjustment is made with no drama or stress.
     Weeks pass and life is perfect again. Except for the nightmares Fredrick keeps having in which Sawyer yells and swears at him before turning to inflict abuse on his mother. This makes no sense to Fredrick since he never knew his father. His mother never even bothered to tell him his name. He knows "Woodstone" was a surname his mother made up and used for reasons never explained to him. The dreams obviously mean there's some connection between him and Sawyer and he's always felt a special bond with Danny. What in the world could this all mean?
      Finally, it occurs to Fredrick to check Sawyer's Bible to see if he happened to record the date of his marriage and birth of any children. 
    What he finds is shocking to everyone except the reader.
     Mr. Sawyer (whose given name is never revealed) was actually married twice. First to Eartha Kitt Jane who had a son named Frederick Quentin. Never mind Frederick is old enough to be Danny's father. Lily and Fredrick notice Danny's mother's name is recorded farther down the page, but since nobody really cares about her, they go back to rejoicing over this amazing reveal of Fredrick's paternity. 
    Frederick curls up in Lily's lap and sobs like a little boy who has finally come home. One day they will present the Bible to Danny and tell him the whole story. For now, they are content to hold each other and count their blessings.

Epilogue

     Fredrick continues to teach. All the children, Danny especially, are thriving. A wedding between two of the staff (two male and female nobodies named Abigail and Luca) is celebrated. Turns out this mansion came with a ballroom so they decided to have the reception there.
     Lily, great with child, is seated on a plush chair, craving a piece of cake. Ever the gallant husband, Fredrick offers to fetch one for her. On the way, he pauses to break up a minor skirmish between the children. He suggests they all go and eat cake. And so they did.

THE END

The Captain's Angel

Book Series: The Buchanan Saga

Publishing Date: 2004

Author: Anita Stansfield

Publisher: Crosswalk Books

Category: Historical Romance

Point of View: Third Person Limited: Kyrah and Ritcherd

Chapter Count: 20

Page Count: 359

To my devoted readers…for your ongoing encouragement and support.

We, we must go on now Wherever people go, who go on together. 
Mr. Mister

Prologue

1784

       Captain Garret Wentworth (half brother to Ritcherd Buchanan) is standing on the deck of his ship, smoking a cigar, pining for the woman he loves. Patrick reprimands him, (smoking kills!) before rattling off a short list of all the ex-girlfriends Garret was too picky to choose to marry. Garret just shrugs; their loss. He's heading straight for Ritcherd and Kyrah's mansion home in Cornwall, England the minute they land. He's going home. 

Chapter 1    The Absence of Light

Cornwall, England

        Four years have passed since Ritcherd and Kyrah married. Little Cetty is now four and a half years old. She greets her father with a big hug and exclamation of joy in seeing him after spending weeks away on business. Ritcherd is glad to be home but disappointed at Kyrah's slight shake of her head. She is not pregnant.

      Celeste, with her childlike mind and manner, has not been well. Her condition, according to the doctor, the fact she's lived to age twenty-six, makes her very unique. Ritcherd spends many pages remembering all the good times he and Celeste had together. She had a strong belief of angels and heaven. She invented a game when they were children, giving Ritcherd "angel kisses" on his nose making them both giggle. Then she was sent away and he met Kyrah. Now she is bedridden, thin and frail but uncomplaining. Everyone, including the doctor, take turns keeping vigil at her bedside.

      Celeste passes away that night. Ritcherd is devastated. He cries, sleeps half the next day, and walks around like a zombie while everyone, including Cetty, reassures him everything will be all right. Celeste is in a better place now. 

      But Ritcherd knows he will never be the same again. The light has gone out of his life. He buries his face in a pillow for another good, long, cry.

This pattern will be repeated throughout most of this book.

Chapter 2     The Captain's Return

         In the days following the funeral, Kryah waits patiently for Ritcherd to get over his ghost-like grief and depression. He won't eat or talk. The entire household is worried about him. A visit from the local Vicar only makes things worse. The only condescending comfort he can give Ritcherd is that his poor, mentally messed up sister most certainly did NOT go to heaven. Her parents were sinners: her condition obviously the result of their wickedness. Ritcherd understandably loses his temper, declares his sister is not eternally damned and orders the man out of his home while Kyrah gapes in shock. She reassures him the Vicar was wrong. Ritcherd hurls a vase at the wall and storms out of the room.
       Garret finally arrives. HE CAN'T BELIEVE Celeste is dead. Since Ritcherd refuses to come back to the land of the living, Kyrah catches him up on all the news. Her mother, Sarah, is in London, visiting the woman who raised her in the little cottage she and Kyrah used to live in. Kyrah was expecting a baby last time Garret saw her but they lost it. Kyrah got over it long before Ritcherd did. Since then (she hangs her head in shame as she says this) nothing. They share a bed but that's it. Ritcherd won't...you know. Garret swallows bile. If Kyrah were HIS wife...
       With true resolve, Garret gets on his feet, rolls up his sleeves and asks where they keep the family Bible?

Chapter 3      The Trigger

       Garret shows Ritcherd the passage in the New Testament when Jesus' disciples ask him about the blind man, supposedly born in sin. The reader was already two steps ahead of them. Ritcherd smirks, studying the scriptures is great and all but it's going to take more than a few Bible verses to solve his problems. Out of patience, Garret leaves the room to find Kyrah.
       To the puzzlement of the household servants, Kyrah insists on helping with the cooking and other chores (because she is a true Anita Stansfield character) which is why Garret finds her in the kitchen, scrubbing potatoes. She is not up to talking right now. Garret wanders outside to smoke another cigar.
      A few days later, Garret confronts Ritcherd in the library. He has some disturbing news. Their names have been linked with turncoats, an accusation punishable by English law if they are found guilty. Instead of packing for America and a new life, they will ride out the storm and hope everything will work out. Meanwhile, Ritcherd will continue to mope around his huge mansion home and feel sorry for himself.
    Kyrah tries to talk to him but they end up arguing about past issues, including Kyrah marrying the wrong man but, Ritcherd clarifies, he isn't talking about Peter. Kyrah calls him a snob. This triggers something in her husband. Ritcherd reels back and strikes her. Hard.
     Hearing the scream and the thud, Garret rushes into the room. In shock, Kyrah clings to her savior begging him not to let Ritcherd hurt her. Garret carries her over to the bed before turning to face Ritcherd who knows he deserves a good punch in the face. Garret knocks him around declaring if Ritcherd ever, EVER, hurts Kyrah again he will swoop down and carry her off before Ritcherd can say "divorce papers." Ritcherd agrees. He asks Garret to escort a still weeping Kyrah to another room. He needs to be alone.
Left with his demons, Ritcherd feels the darkness closing in on him. What has he done?!

Chapter 4      The Retreat
     
       Like the social worker he is, Garret spends a few pages discussing the scene we just witnessed with Kyrah before entering the bedroom for another quick talk with Ritcherd. Nobody has any appetite for dinner that night.  
      After spending an hour in quiet retreat in the garden, Kyrah is shocked to discover Garret leaning against the gate, smoking a cigar. She lectures him on it. Garret admits if anyone could convince him to give up this disgusting habit, it would be Kryah.   
      Next, Kyrah enters the bedroom to lecture Ritcherd on the error of his ways, namely the fact that if he EVER strikes her again, she fully intends taking Garret up on his offer to take her away and marry her. Ritcherd buries his face in his hands wondering if he's going crazy (or suffering from female hysteria) while Kyrah exits the room, feeling rejected.
      It just goes to show how big the Buchanan mansion is because when Ritcherd turns up missing in the early hours next morning, it takes Kyrah and Garret twenty minutes of searching before they find him; passed out in the library, drunk. He was lying on the other side of the sofa, out of sight, which was why they missed him. Still, that's a lot of rooms to go through.

Chapter 5        The Betrayal

      Garret nurses Ritcherd through his vomiting and hangover, sponging him down (let's not go there) before tucking him back into bed and finding Kyrah to give his latest report. Kyrah is also relieved Ritcherd will be okay. Garret takes the liberty of having every drop of hard liquor in the house removed, the rest (all dinner wines) are locked up with strict instructions to the servants not to let Ritcherd anywhere near that cupboard. Four days later, Ritcherd sneaks off to town where Garret finds him at the local pub, passed out drunk at the bar. He carries him home.
      Garret's remedy to stop a man from becoming an alcoholic is to punch him until he promises to stop drinking then have another long heart to heart talk with him, more crying on shoulders and all that. Alcoholics Anonymous could really learn a thing or two from Garret.
      The conversation is interrupted by an arrival downstairs. Mr. Thayer, their accuser, is here to question them further about their activities in the colonies during the war. Ritcherd, not wanting to talk about anything, as usual, declares their innocence and exits. Kyrah couldn't help overhearing and confronts Garret after Mr. Thayer leaves. She sobs, unable to bear it if they were both arrested and hanged for treason. She tells Ritcherd the same but instead of taking her in his arms and announcing they're all fleeting to America and a better life, he exits the room, again, while Kyrah and Garret find comfort in each other's arms.
     In a clever writing twist, Kyrah falls into a fitful sleep that night while Ritcherd snores away on his side of the bed. Finding herself unable to sleep, Kyrah wanders the house with a lantern until she enters the library and starts to cry. Suddenly, Garret's silhouette fills the door frame. He is so strong and muscular without his shirt on, so tender and caring as he wipes her tears and takes her in his arms. But instead of a chaste hug, this time, he kisses her passionately. Breathless with desire, Kyrah kisses him back before remembering she's married and pushes him away. Kyrah sits up abruptly in bed, breathing hard.
IT WAS A DREAM!
Just wait till Ritcherd finds out.

Chapter 6     Temptation

       Over the next few days, Ritcherd snaps out of his melancholy long enough to notice the easy manner between his wife and brother has changed. When he questions them about it, Kyrah refuses to answer. Ritcherd announces maybe it would be better if he went to Mr. Thayer and turned himself in for treason. He would go to the gallows, Garret could marry Kyrah and everyone would be better off. Kyrah calls him a fool. Garret punches him. Ritcherd leaves the room. 
       Garret and Kyrah take this opportunity to talk and declare their true feelings for each other, except Kyrah would never betray Ritcherd. Garret respects that, but admits he has to mentally recite Bible passages to himself in order to force unclean thoughts about her from his mind. 
       Kyrah tells him about the dream. Garret tells her he prays everyday for help in overcoming temptation. He tries to get her to kiss him. Kyrah can't do it. He declares his love for her. Begs her to reconsider his offer to carry her away and make her forget all about that wimp she calls her husband. (Okay, he didn't exactly put it that way...) Kyrah sighs, wanting to give in to temptation. Garret kisses her brow before ordering her to go, now, before his passion overwhelms them both. Kyrah touches his face before hurrying away.
      Quick, someone give her Bella Swan's phone number!

Chapter 7      The Assumption

      The assumption is that, after spending weeks hiding in the master bedroom, lying on his bed staring at the wall, hardly touching the trays of food brought in to him, Ritcherd has come to the awful conclusion that Kyrah was unfaithful to him. How could he not miss the looks they were giving each other the other night at the dinner table, everyone just playing with their food, the awkward tension so thick you could cut it with a knife. Kyrah and Garret slept together behind Ritcherd's back! In Ritcherd's warped mind, there could be no other explanation.
    And if there's one thing Ritcherd has always been good at throughout this series, it's playing the victim.
    With an anguished cry, Ritcherd stands up and flees the table, barricading himself in his room beating himself up over something that never happened. One night, he takes off on foot. Against Garret's wishes, Kyrah insists riding out after him. We can all probably guess where he went.
    Kyrah finds him at the church ruins, of course, where the entire misunderstanding is straightened out. She tells him about the dream, convinces him she and Garret have NEVER gone to bed with each other, that Ritcherd is the only man she could ever love more. Garret has a testimony that Satan is real and that only through prayer could Garret and Kyrah both overcome these feelings they had for each other. Both rejoice in this wise counsel from this incredible man who would make a great LDS bishop...if he were married. They fall into each other's arms and have another quick roll in the grass. It is only described as being very passionate and brief.
     Ritcherd rides home a new man, sharing the horse with Kyrah, promising he'll never let her go again.

Chapter 8      The Awakening
       
       Garret is very glad to see them both smiling as they dismount in the stable. Ritcherd and Kyrah are going to be a family again. They spend the rest of the evening in the nursery sharing some quality time with Cetty and enjoy a pleasant dinner in the dining room with Garret. A few days later, Ritcherd takes them all, including Garret, into town for shopping and eating out. They are one big happy family. Surely nothing could spoil these moments. Ritcherd confesses to Garret while he's content on the outside, his awakening of how great life can be, inside he feels some kind of pent up emotion has been building up, about to explode, but he's determined to fight it. Garret is glad. Everything is going to be okay and back to normal now, right?
      Nope.

Chapter 9       The Thin Line of Sanity

       Out of nowhere, Ritcherd is sitting in the parlor with Kyrah and Garret who are talking quietly of current events when Richerd has a panic attack for no reason. He fears he's going crazy, losing his mind! Kyrah tries to reassure him. Garret escorts him upstairs to bed. They will send for the doctor. Ritcherd protests. No! A doctor will have him committed!
     The doctor arrives. Ritcherd admits his sister's death has been very hard on him. Yes, he's been prone to bouts of insomnia, fits of crying, even violence but, "I'm not crazy, am I doctor?"
     The doctor solemnly declares he is. Ritcherd is suffering from acute (female) melancholia. In time his mind will become diseased and he will spiral down into insanity. There's nothing to be done. And with that comforting diagnosis, the doctor picks up his bag, exiting the bedroom to pass on this sad news to Garret and Kyrah. Kyrah starts to freak out. Garret knows better. After the doctor leaves, Garret tells Kyrah he knows Ritcherd is NOT crazy, he just needs some special (Anita Stansfield) therapy. Garret went through the same thing many years ago-he knows exactly what to do.
    Garret leaves the house, returning a few days later with Patrick; a real doctor. Everyone is relieved to see him. After warning Kyrah her husband is going to be kept in a safe environment for the next two weeks and that no matter what kind of screaming, ranting or raving she might hear, everything is under control. Patrick takes Ritcherd into the master bedroom. 
     He  begins by lecturing Ritcherd about the importance of purging the soul with good, cleansing cries, getting lots of sleep, substituting warm milk for his evening coffee, eating nutritious meals, and having long talks with trusted friends. This kind of therapy won't be easy, but by the time Patrick and Garret get through with him, Ritcherd is going to be a new man!

Chapter 10       The Purging (because we can't get any more creative than this for a chapter title)

      Okay, let the healing begin!
      Ritcherd is allowed one last meal and evening with Kyrah and Cetty, who promises she'll be praying over her father's "hurting heart," before Patrick and Garret escort him into the "lion's den" where Ritcherd, thanks to a mild sedative from Patrick, sleeps ten hours. He wakes feeling more refreshed and rested than he's felt in months. Garret is ready with a listening ear. 
     Step one in this therapy course: the subject will recount his entire life story beginning with his earliest memory. The subject must relive all the joy, all the horror, everything he's ever felt up to this moment in his life-just get it all out no leaving this room until he does! (this could take years for some of us) For Ritcherd it only takes two days. (Hope they took at least one potty break.) Garret recounts everything Ritcherd told him to Kyrah. Both now have a better understanding of all the anger Ritcherd's kept bottled up all these years.
       Step two in this therapy course: the subject will write letters to everyone in his life who ever hurt him (this could take years for some of us) starting with his father and mother, Kyrah, Garret, even Peter Westman. The subject must also write corresponding letters from these people to himself. Garret writes his own letter. Ritcherd reads it and is profoundly moved. He admits he's learned something about the importance of seeing life through another's perspective and how good it felt to get all that anger, hurt feelings and bitterness out. Garret burns the letters Ritcherd wrote but has him keep the others from his loved ones' perspective of him to read whenever he's feeling down.
Sigmund Freud would be proud. 
      But don't stop now. Next, Garret makes Ritcherd write letters to Kyrah's parents, the vicar and the doctor who should be sued for malpractice for telling Ritcherd to have himself committed. This entire exercise takes more than two days. 
    It's a wonder Ritcherd's hand didn't fall off.

Chapter 11     The Hole

     Garret has one last letter for Ritcherd to write. This one begins, "Dear God." (Judy Blume might want to get in on this) Ritcherd is a little apprehensive but he writes it anyway and isn't struck down for his venting. He admits he feels better. He never realized how many blessings God has given him and maybe he's cured?
     That's when Garret comments he couldn't help noticing a line in Ritcherd's letter from his mother. He quotes the line: Let the thief have the children, I couldn't care less.
    Ritcherd hits the ceiling.
    He sobs and rants, spewing forth a story so (Fifty Shades of Grey) repulsive Garret has to repress the urge to be sick. Hours (days?) pass as Ritcherd cries, screams and swears like a sailor. The reader isn't told exactly what this repressed, blocked memory is that Ritcherd is reliving, only that it's turned Ritcherd into a schizophrenic and has finally fallen down the rabbit hole. Ritcherd falls into a deep sleep instead.
    Garret takes this opportunity to find Kyrah with strict instructions to go to her husband but not question him about anything, just hold him. Kyrah does. Ritcherd is now lying on the bed, staring at the wall with glazed eyes. Kyrah takes him in her arms where he sobs on her chest.
    Since he hasn't had much sleep for almost a week, Garret also seeks out Patrick. He needs him to go to London to do some research. Anything he can find involving the Buchanan family twenty years ago. Patrick is happy to make the trip. He leaves before anyone realizes he's gone. 
    Garret passes out on the first bed he finds.
    In the middle of the night, Kyrah screams Garret's name. Ritcherd found a gun in the room and is now pointing it at his head. Unable to bear these memories, certain they are the result of a diseased mind, he begs them to let him end his life. Garret knows the gun isn't loaded and the situation is quickly de-escalated. Garret promises them both he'll have evidence very soon that will prove Ritcherd is NOT going crazy.

Chapter 12     The Bridge 
     
       Garret takes Ritcherd outside for a walk. When they return, the evil Mr. Thayer is there with more threats to find the evidence he needs to have them both arrested and put to death. Garret and Ritcherd get rid of him just in time for Patrick's return. Garret meets with him in the library where they can talk in private. Still stressing over everything going on in his life, Ritcherd took another dose of Patrick's sleeping aid and passed out. Kyrah agrees to sit with him and they will catch her up on everything later.
      Somehow, Patrick managed to find and purchase of pile of yellowed newspapers with a most unbelievable kidnapping story splashed across the front pages. When Ritcherd was eleven years old, he was taken in the middle of the night from his bed by two evil men (did one have a knife?) and held for ransom. One of the men was an ex-stable hand who used to work for the Buchanan family but was fired for alcoholism. For three months, Ritcherd was held hostage and, needless to say, his captors weren't very nice to him. (Somebody might want to make to make a T.V. movie about this!)
       This was the repulsive story Garret got an earful about. Ritcherd was starved, beaten and abused by these sick, twisted men who hated all snobby aristocrats. They were eventually caught and hung for their crimes.
       Ritcherd is SO RELIEVED when they show him the papers. He didn't imagine it! It happened but, as they continue to insist to Ritcherd, what he endured made him a stronger, better man because of it. Ritcherd has to admit it's true. Except he never told Garret the rest of the story. 
     When he was finally released and brought home, there was no hugging or kissing or tearful reunion with his parents and sister. His mother took one look at his emaciated, bruised and beaten form, burst into tears and fled the room. His father gave him a passive, "Welcome home, son," before also leaving the room so the doctor could examine the boy and make his report. There was never any closure for Ritcherd. Little wonder his mind simply blocked it out. Until now. 
      Now he realizes Celeste was sent away for her own protection.
      Patrick needs to check on the Phoenix and will bring our old friend, George, back with him to spend the holidays. Everyone agrees, this is going to be the best Christmas ever.  Oh, and Kyrah announces she's pregnant. It happened that night at the ruins when she cleared up the misunderstanding with Ritcherd. 
At last, a chapter that ends on a happy note.

Chapter 13     The Bribe

    Now that Ritcherd's crisis is over, everyone remembers it's the Christmas season and start preparing the house. Garret will be staying through the holiday, of course, they all insist on it. Heck, he can have the old house Kyrah and her parents used to live in down the lane. Just the incentive he needs to start attending his local singles ward.
     One Sunday, after attending church services, it occurs to Ritcherd that nobody in the neighborhood, or area, EVER said anything to him about his kidnapping incident. Why? Ritcherd decides to make some inquires next time he takes his family into town on their next shopping trip. All the shopkeepers say the same thing: his father threatened everyone with the devil to pay if they breathed even a word of the incident in his presence. Ritcherd goes outside and weeps. His father DID love him after all! Garret is there to support him.
       Like Garret and Ritcherd we're all growing tired of Mr. Thayer's visits and weak threats. Except this time, he has some solid evidence. However, Mr. Thayer is willing to accept an offer of bribe money and forget the whole thing. The two men reluctantly agree. But, Mr. Thayer says, he'll only take the money on one condition. Neither Ritcherd nor Garret can leave the house until the day after Christmas when Thayer plans on coming with the authorities to arrest them and take them to court where this matter will be settled once and for all.

Chapter 14    The Guest

      Three days to Christmas. Ritcherd and Kyrah have gone to town for the day. Alone in the stable, Garret stumbles across what appears to be a homeless vagrant hiding out in one of the stalls; sound asleep and shivering in a pile of dirty straw. Garret wakes him offering a room in the grand house, a meal and a bath. Be our guest. The thin, middle-aged man with graying hair and scraggly beard humbly accepts the offer with many thanks and follows Garret inside.

     Hours later, the man finds Garret reading his book and they take this opportunity to chat. The stranger would rather not reveal his name at this time, but he is looking for the owner of this grand mansion. Garret informs him he died many years ago. The man looks dismayed until Garret mentions his son (and consequently Garret's brother) is now the keeper of this estate. Hope fills the man's eyes.

    A gasp interrupts their conversation. Kyrah is standing in the doorway. She takes one long look at the familiar looking stranger and faints. Hearing Kyrah's bloodcurdling scream, Ritcherd comes charging in. He too takes one look at the man and CAN'T BELIEVE IT! Is it really Stephen Payne, back from the dead?

     What a soap opera this series is turning out to be.

Chapter 15    Renaissance

       It would appear some explanations are in order. Stephen tells his story. The man who was found dead in that hotel room all those years ago with a gun in his hand was NOT Stephen Payne. Peter Westman arranged for someone to knock Stephen over the head, just before he witnessed Peter pulling the trigger and blowing that poor, innocent man's head off. An image that continues to haunt him.

    When Stephen woke up, he found himself in a prison cell. Like Edmond Dantès, no one believed his true identity or that he'd been framed for murder. There he remained for seven years in solitary confinement with no opportunity to send word to his family whom he assumed wouldn't want to see him anyway since he supposedly committed suicide and left them with all his gambling debt. He shuddered to think what his family, especially Sarah, thought of him now. Everyone assures Stephen they love him now more than ever. 

     But, what about Ritcherd's miraculous brush with death on the battlefield? That voice of warning from beyond the grave that supposedly saved his life? Well, angels' voices can take on many forms. Everyone accepts this explanation without further question. More tears of joy and wonder are shed. Stephen bears testimony that while he was in prison, he spent many hours on his knees, praying for all his loved ones' safety. It would seem Providence heard his prayers. Another Festivus miracle!

    Many more pages are spent (wasted) as the characters recount stories the reader has already heard repeated too many times. Stephen gasps, cries and reacts in all the right places.

Chapter 16      The Evil Deeds of Peter Westman

     The stories continue as the events of the last two books continue to be repeated in this chapter with ALL of the blame falling to Peter Westman while the reader  mourns the loss of so many trees. Finally, it occurs to Stephen to inquire after his wife, Sarah. Where is she anyway? Everyone is happy to inform him Sarah will be returning from London tomorrow. All chuckle in anticipation. Little does she know the wonderful Christmas surprise that awaits her!

Chapter 17     Exhuming the Past

     Stephen takes Ritcherd outside where they walk across the estate to the cottage where, out in the walled garden, he shows his son-in-law another forgotten stash of buried treasure. Never one to trust banks, Stephen always intended this payload as Kyrah's dowry, in case anything happened to him. The box Ritcherd exhumes is overflowing with cash. 

     Great. Just what this family needs. More money.

     They take Stephen to see his own grave complete with headstone. Peter Westman was a sick man. Stephen agrees, he feels great relief knowing he's dead. He sees red when Ritcherd recounts Kyrah's abusive marriage to him and the poverty she and her mother endured beforehand.
     By the way, isn't Sarah supposed to be here by now?

Chapter 18     Reunited

    At last, Garret and Sarah pull up in the carriage. Ritcherd greets them in the entryway. A maid takes Sarah's cloak and bonnet. Ritcherd takes her aside and gently breaks the news about her husband. With a strangling sob, Sarah bolts down the hall to the library, crying out her husband's name. It is indeed a joyful reunion.
     Stephen and Sarah spend a very fulfilling night catching each other up on everything. How much sleep they actually got will remain a mystery. The other three adults tease them about it over the breakfast table. 
     Later that evening, after delivering Christmas presents and baskets around the neighborhood, everyone except Stephen and Sarah gather in the drawing room where the  traditional decorating of the Christmas mantel is taking place. Amidst the holly and pine cones rests a porcelain nativity and Kyrah has a special box filled with Christmas keepsakes that have grown over the years to surround the holy family. Cetty helps unwrap a golden bird, a wooden ship resembling the Phoenix, a starched snowflake, a brass star, and, finally, Garret presents this year's newest contribution-a white angel trimmed with gold.
    Cetty announces this angel looks just like Aunt Celeste who, by the way, paid her a visit in the middle of the night last week because Ritcherd was too full of himself to spend any quality time with her; like hearing her say her evening prayers. With choked up emotion, her parents prompt their daughter to go on. Cetty reveals she had been praying for her father when Aunt Celeste appeared to her. She talked "like a normal person," and just to further prove the truth of her story, Cetty trots over and plants a kiss on her father's nose, a special message from Celeste, "Angel kisses," she explains. Ritcherd shatters, HE CAN'T BELIEVE IT! He engulfs his daughter in his arms, sobbing like a four-year-old. Garret and Kyrah simply look on and shake their heads, too proud of them to speak. Another redundant miracle.

Chapter 19      The Swindler

     Patrick and George make a showy entrance gallantly kissing Kyrah's hand pretending a long absence. Kyrah and Ritcherd smirk. Then, Stephen Payne walks in. George stares in confusion. Since Patrick has never met this man, narration spares us yet another retelling of the the previous books in this series. George catches on to who Stephen Payne is after a awhile
     Cetty is brought in and Kyrah observes the scene with fondness, surrounded by everyone she loves best; nothing could spoil this moment. Until Patrick inquires about the dreaded Mr. Thayer" visit. Stephen perks up at the name. He knew a Thayer once...but never mind that now. He's having too much fun visiting and laughing with everyone.
    Not long after Cetty is taken upstairs to bed, Ritcherd and Kyrah are summoned to her room. Cetty has one last "embraced by the light" message for her parents from Celeste she forgot to tell them: Ritcherd will live a long life so he can be a father to Cetty's future brothers and sisters. Ritcherd and Kyrah manage to control their emotion until they've left the room and can sniffle outside in the hall, sharing yet another miracle together.
     In the middle of the night, Stephen remembers his connection with Mr. Thayer and wakes Ritcherd and the other men up so they can all talk about it. Kyrah sleeps fitfully and tries not to worry as she eats breakfast with Sarah. The men disappeared somewhere and Thayer is due to arrive at any minute to arrest them. What will they do? Garret and Ritcherd discuss this very subject in the library until Thayer arrives and is shown in.
    In a very anticlimactic scene, Stephen enters carrying a satchel containing the promised bribery cash for Thayer but before Thayer can take the money and run, Stephen reminds him how they know each other. You see, Thayer was the other man in the hotel room where Stephen witnessed Peter Westman committing the murder that sent him to prison all those years ago. Stephen has enough evidence against Thayer to do the same to him. Thayer gasps in all the right places, knowing he's trapped before frustration and anger prompts him to open the nearest door intending to bolt.
    Two police officers are waiting. They cuff him as the local chief of police steps out from behind another door, having overheard the entire conversation. Thayer is going to prison for a long time.
     Everyone proclaims this a miracle.

Chapter 20        The Arrival

         Several months pass. Garret, Patrick and George return to the Phoenix while Ritcherd and Stephen work hard to clear Stephen's name and bring him (legally) back from the dead. The man who died in Stephen's place is of no concern to anyone. Apparently he had no family. Stephen's headstone is replaced by an appropriate marker. Stephen and Sarah enjoy traveling "on holiday" to "the continent" while Kyrah and Ritcherd have never been more blissfully in love.
      Ritcherd dreads his upcoming business trip because it means leaving a very pregnant Kyrah who could pop at any time. Garret and Patrick are here to visit and assure Ritcherd they will take very good care of Kyrah should she go into labor.
     Insisting she needs to run some errands in town, Kyrah orders the carriage brought around, dragging the two men along with her. Of course she goes into labor. They make it back to the house just in time for Kyrah to give birth on the library floor while Garret nearly passes out from the shock of seeing a woman endure such an ordeal. Patrick coaches Garret and a healthy baby girl is born. Kyrah will name her Linnet, after another bird; native of the European Finch. 
Better than Avocet.
     Ritcherd returns the next day, surprised to discover his wife tucked in bed with a new baby. He is very happy. Unable to resist, he give his brother a hard time about when it will be "his turn" to settle down and have a family. Garret frowns, knowing what the inevitable plot of the next book in this series will be. Until then, they will all continue to live happily ever after.

THE END