Heart in Hiding (The Six Pearls of Baron Ridlington Book 6)

by Sahara Kelly

  Hecate sighed and closed her eyes.

  And saw a field full of flowers, and a sky of blue with fluffy clouds scudding along on a swift breeze. She sat on the headland, just outside Doireann Vale, on a cheerfully coloured blanket. She couldn’t see Finn or anyone else, but she knew they were well. She was so happy she wanted to laugh and sing and dance with it.

  And so was the fair-haired, teal-eyed babe that lay beside her.

  My child.

  She gasped and opened her eyes, finding herself still cuddled into Finn’s warmth. Then she let her energies take her to that place in her mind…and did a quick mental survey of her body.

  There. There it was…the tiniest shimmer of something…

  She turned over and shook the sleeping man next to her. “Finn, wake up. Please wake up.”

  “Mmmpfff…” He muttered and mumbled, then opened one eye. “What is it? You all right?”

  “Marry me tomorrow.”

  The other eye opened. “What?”

  “Tomorrow. You have to marry me tomorrow.”

  “Why?”

  She took his hand and laid it on her naked belly. “Because of what we made this night.”

  Epilogue

  They couldn’t quite manage the next day, but Hecate held firm. Simon would marry them before they left for Doireann Vale, or else.

  Faced with her implacable resolution, and the fact that she was of age, Simon sighed, looked at his wife with resignation, and agreed to waive the banns.

  “But you understand that this might easily be challenged, don’t you?” He stood in front of both of them in the parlour at Ridlington Chase. “Just because I’m saying the words over you in the church, doesn’t necessarily put the entire matter onto solid footing.” He frowned. “I suppose I could sort of smear the bit about the banns on the parish records…or add them to earlier postings…”

  “Good lad. I knew you’d think of something,” beamed Finn. “What time tomorrow?”

  Tabby had to laugh. “You’re incorrigible, Finn. But the perfect man for our Hecate, I’m thinking.”

  “And I’m thinking you’ve a brilliant wife, Vicar. Well done.” Finn chuckled.

  Hecate swallowed. “I’m getting married. Tomorrow.”

  “You are indeed,” said Edmund, coming in just in time to overhear her words. “And for more good news, Max and Kitty are here. Not only that, but they’ve brought the baby too.” He grinned. “Our family grows apace, it seems.”

  “How lovely,” laughed Hecate. “Now all we’d need is Richard and Cressida, but I wouldn’t ask that of them at this particular time.”

  “In lieu of those two, it turns out that Sir Peregrine Hawkesbury and Max’s sister Grace are on their way as well. Kitty didn’t want them spending Christmas alone.” Edmund tilted his head to one side. “I rather think we have a full house.”

  “Oh that’s wonderful.” Hecate turned to Finn. “So we won’t be marrying in front of a completely empty church after all.”

  “And I was so concerned about that,” he teased.

  “Edmund,” said Hecate. “You will walk me down the aisle, won’t you?”

  He paused, obviously caught by surprise. “Oh sweet girl. Of course I will. I would be so proud to give you away.”

  “Thank you.” Hecate rose and gave her brother a kiss on the cheek.

  “So it’s all settled,” said Simon. “Tomorrow. Let’s say ten o’clock?”

  “I’ll make sure we’re ready on our end,” added Tabby.

  “Then ten o’clock it is.” Hecate smiled at Finn and took his hand.

  *~~*~~*

  So once again St. Simon’s church was the site of a Ridlington wedding as Miss Hecate Ridlington was given in marriage by her brother, the Baron, to Mr. Finn Casey.

  Observing the proceedings was a good portion of the rest of the Ridlington family, along with those villagers who had scented something going on with the gentry living at the Chase. Many nearby residents had developed a nose for that sort of thing.

  After giving his sister’s hand to Finn, Edmund took his seat next to Rosaline. Hugh had been allowed to join them under threat of severe and awful things if he didn’t behave himself.

  Like the splendid future Baron he would become, the little boy merely swung his feet, and watched as the ladies tried not to cry.

  Miss Helen Ridlington, the vicar’s daughter, was not quite at that stage yet, and her Mama and Papa had elected to leave her in Nanny’s capable hands. Those hands were also administering to Miss Margaret Seton-Mowbray. Nanny was enjoying the day every bit as much as the bride and groom, even though she was in the Ridlington nursery, not St. Simon’s.

  None of the assembled congregation knew that at that precise moment, Mrs. Cressida Ridlington, ably assisted by the Branscombe Magna midwife Mrs. Polly Smith, Mrs. Parsnip Worsnop, and Mr. Richard Ridlington—much to the midwife’s disapproval—was giving birth to her children, a boy and a girl. Both were healthy and possessed of impressive lungs, as they demonstrated immediately upon their arrival.

  Cressida smiled and held her babies. Richard beamed and gulped down a huge glass of brandy while privately wondering if he’d been scarred for life. The news of the arrival of Joanna and Gerrard Ridlington made its way to Ridlington Chase, but not quite in time to enhance the wedding breakfast.

  Toward the end of the event, Edmund stood and raised his champagne glass, as the others fell silent. “I’d like to propose a toast, if I may. And though we are here to celebrate Hecate and Finn’s marriage, I think it would be appropriate for me to broaden my wishes to include all of you, including Richard and Cressy, although they’re not here in person.”

  He paused and smiled. “I see so many happy faces. And yet it wasn’t that long ago that there was barely a smile in this house. I am moved by the warmth and affection I feel here, and I’m overwhelmed that we have truly become a family. I’m not sure how it happened, but I do believe that those we love, who now share our lives, have contributed mightily.”

  He glanced at Rosaline, sitting at the other end of the table. “I know I couldn’t have done much of anything without my wife.”

  She blushed, but remained silent.

  “So I’m going to assume that you, my brothers and sisters, have found strength and joy in those you have chosen to love, as well. The end result is that we are now, truly, a family.” He raised his glass high.

  “I give you the six pearls of Baron Ridlington. And the joy of knowing so many more pearls will fill the years ahead.”

  “The Six Pearls.”

  THE END

  A footnote from Sahara Kelly

  So we bid farewell to the Ridlingtons and their assorted families, secure in the knowledge they are now happy, loved…and actually, quite fertile. There are bound to be more children, for that is how families build traditions, fortunes and dynasties.

  And of course, we know that Dal and Augusta are heading in a certain direction. There’s even a strong possibility that come Christmas, we might find out whether Sir Peregrine’s life will veer down a new path.

  One never knows.

  This is a bittersweet time for your author, having to bid farewell to a series written about people with whom I have developed a very strong attachment. But I believe most strongly that series books can overstay their welcome, and I won’t let this happen to any of the novels I write.

  These six books were a labour of love, but the operative word there is labour. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that writing a series is easy—it’s not. In this case, I found myself blessed with wonderful characters, but six was enough. Any more than that, and I worried that the stories might become repetitive, derivative or just flat-out boring.

  So it’s on to new projects, new heroes and heroines, new looks at the Regency and the people who made it what I consider one of the most engaging periods in history. I’ve touched on Waterloo, on the emergence of women writers, on smuggling, scandals and even ghosts, all while in the company of a Ridlin
gton or two.

  But so much more was happening in the first two decades of the 1800s. So now it’s time to leave the Ridlingtons, and allow this particular family to go on with their lives.

  There are plenty more stories to be told, so watch for new Regency romances coming soon.

  *~~*~~*

  In case you may have missed any of the first four 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, the start of Letitia’s literary career and a peek at Kitty in London.

  Links to all these 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 colour 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.

  “You didn’t stay that day for the Spring Fair,” said Simon. “You arrived, said hullo, and that was the last I saw of you, even when we heard the sad news.”

  “I know.” She nodded, her gaze fixed on the way ahead. “I wasn’t sure I wanted to re-establish my acquaintance with the people I used to know here. I certainly didn’t want their sympathy. Too much like pity for my comfort.”

  “But they’re people you grew up with, Tabby. They’re not strangers.”

  “To you? No they’re not. But to me…” she paused as if looking for the right words. “To me, they represent my past. Something that is gone and can never be recaptured.”

  Simon took his own time answering. “It must have been difficult when your papa passed away. My condolences on his death. I never had chance to express them. You were gone before the news came to Ridlington.” He lifted his hand and placed it over hers where it lay on his forearm.

  “Then you know Papa died in London.” Her tone was calm. “He was there under his physician’s care. There was nothing anyone could do. I should have been there, I suppose, but I took a chance on coming down here. Of course, that was when he passed away.” She sighed. “The way of the world. Always doing the worst possible thing at the worst possible time.”

  “So you vanished again, leaving us wondering if you had received a summons from some high ranking Government agency.”

  He smiled as he gently referred to her previous adventures in Europe. Her task as an intelligence-gatherer, or as his sisters liked to refer to it—a spy—had intrigued them all last autumn.

  She chuckled. “No. I’m hoping that phase of my life is over. I am retired from anything to do with the Government—of any nation.”

  “I am glad to hear it.” Simon heaved an inner sigh of relief. “What are you going to do with the rest of your time, Lady Ellsmere?”

  “The title is nominal, at best.” She sounded wry. “I can order an evening gown and have it delivered the next day. But I don’t have a residence to receive it.” A slight snort followed. “Stupid, isn’t it?”

  Simon snugged her arm in a l
ittle closer to his body. “I know Worsley Hall has gone to some relative…a distant cousin?”

  She nodded. “A man I had never heard of, let alone met. My home. Gone just like that with Papa’s death.”

  “And that’s why you’re here now? To conclude those matters?”

  “Mostly, yes.”

  They walked on in silence for a little while, Simon as busy with his thoughts as he imagined her to be with hers.

  “What shall you do, Tabby?” He brought them to a halt and looked down at her. “Worsley is no longer yours. You are a widow, and apparently there’s no home for you with the Ellsmeres.”

  She stared ahead, but he saw her throat move as she swallowed.

  “Can I help? Can the Ridlingtons do anything? I know Edmund and Rosaline would…”

  “No, stop.” She turned and disengaged her arm from his. “I have a mission already, Simon.”

  “I thought you said no more Government business for you.”

  “Not that kind of mission.” She blew a breath out from between her lips. “There’s no easy way to tell you this, so I’ll just come right out with it.”

  “Very well.” He wondered at her tone. Her face was expressionless, quietly attractive in repose and giving nothing away.

  “I have been asked by the Diocese to review and assess the finances of St. Simon’s church.”

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  WORD OF A LADY

  Book 3 in the Six Pearls of Baron Ridlington Series

  He was a little younger than she’d anticipated. Perhaps in his early forties, which was no great age, but given that he was the name behind a prestigious London publishing company, she’d been prepared for someone with more of an elderly appearance.

  “Miss Smith?” He rose as she entered the parlour.

  “Indeed.” She dropped him a polite curtsey. “Thank you for the honour you do us, Mr. Lesley. Coming all this way from London is very much appreciated, and quite a surprise.”

  They sat, he in a large chair by the fireplace, she in a smaller one next to the well-worn sofa.

  “After reading your…er…friend’s manuscript, I felt it incumbent upon me to visit in person. And to be honest, I have an acquaintance in the area, so it was a case of killing two birds with one happy stone.” He crossed his legs. “I suppose there is no chance of my meeting with Lady Corinth in person?”