From The Ashes (Ministry of Curiosities Book 6)
Page 26
"Let's hope Lady Harcourt decides to stay home," Lady Vickers said, lifting her gaze to meet mine. "Apparently she has been invited." It was a warning, and one I appreciated. I gave her a nod of thanks.
Not that I was concerned about her hold over Lincoln. She had none. Yet her unpleasant waspishness could prove trying and I wanted to avoid her, if possible.
I touched Lincoln's knee beneath the table and he rested his hand over mine. We'd spent the morning hanging ornaments, paper flowers, and little bags of nuts on the tree in the entrance hall with Alice and Lady Vickers, while Seth, Gus and Doyle helped Cook with the meal preparations. The men had already wound ivy and mistletoe up the staircase rail and along the fireplace mantels, giving Lichfield a festive feel. Enjoying dinner altogether, with Lincoln at my side, was more than I'd hoped for mere days before. A year ago…well, I'd hardly allowed myself to hope that I'd ever experience a joyous Christmas again. It had seemed an impossibility.
As if he knew the direction of my thoughts, Lincoln squeezed my hand. "I'm sorry I didn't have a gift prepared for you," he said, picking up his glass. "But a rather abrasive nurse wouldn't allow me to leave the house. I didn't dare counter her."
"That abrasive nurse doesn't need another gift, thank you." My smile faded. I indicated the others, sitting around the table, talking quietly to one another. "This is all I want. Besides, I didn't get you anything either. I've been busy with a recalcitrant patient who doesn't like to rest."
He placed his arm across the back of my chair and leaned closer. His lips brushed my ear, his fingers skimmed my shoulder. It was as much an announcement to the others as it was an intimate move. "You gave me everything, Charlie. Everything."
THE END
Coming Soon:
The 7th Ministry of Curiosities Novel
by C.J. Archer
As Charlie and Lincoln’s lives settle into a harmonious pattern, a new threat arises that could have far reaching effects for the royal family and Lincoln’s parents.
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Also by C.J. Archer
SERIES WITH 2 OR MORE BOOKS
Glass and Steele
The Emily Chambers Spirit Medium Trilogy
The 1st Freak House Trilogy
The 2nd Freak House Trilogy
The 3rd Freak House Trilogy
The Ministry of Curiosities Series
The Assassins Guild Series
Lord Hawkesbury's Players Series
The Witchblade Chronicles
SINGLE TITLES NOT IN A SERIES
Courting His Countess
Surrender
Redemption
The Mercenary's Price
About the Author
C.J. Archer has loved history and books for as long as she can remember and feels fortunate that she found a way to combine the two. She has at various times worked as a librarian, IT support person and technical writer but in her heart has always been a fiction writer. Her first historical fantasy series, THE EMILY CHAMBERS SPIRIT MEDIUM TRILOGY, has sold over 45,000 copies and garnered rave reviews. C.J. lives in Melbourne with her husband, two children and a mischievous black & white cat named Coco.
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