by Lucy Coleman
‘And… close your eyes.’
I stare at him. ‘Why?’
‘Just close them. I’ll count down from five and when I get to one you can open them.’
I do as he asks, and he lifts my hands up to my face, wanting me to cover my eyes in case I get tempted. As the numbers decrease, I feel a little movement next to me on the bench. I have no idea what he’s doing.
‘Five… four… three… two… one!’
When I withdraw my hands, the lights in the grounds have been turned on and in the distance the pond that I’ve often stopped to admire has a cascade of water shooting up into the air in a flurry. The uplighters surrounding it create the most glorious chandelier-effect, as the droplets turn into little silver shards of light, glinting as they fall.
‘I had no idea the fountain even worked!’ I exclaim.
‘It didn’t. But it does now.’ Ronan reaches out for my hand and our fingers entwine.
Lapsing into silence for a short while, I just savour the moment. When I look back at the partygoers, everyone is gazing out across the grounds in awe.
‘No regrets, then,’ Ronan eventually murmurs. ‘And you approve of the ring?’ His voice is low, hesitant, and I can tell he wasn’t sure until he saw my reaction for himself.
‘I love the ring. I love you. I suppose my only regret is that I so wish the story had a happier ending for your grandfather, Ronan. It’s clear my grandma struggled to accept what I think she later saw as the inevitable outcome. I’m sure she carried a sense of guilt for that, throughout her entire life, and that’s why she could never bring herself to talk about it. She wasn’t one to give up on people and it would have hurt her so much to think of his suffering.’
Ronan extends his arm to draw me even closer and I shuffle up on the bench alongside him.
‘She did what she could and, most importantly, she cared. No wonder they all admired the Rose, and it’s those same qualities that made me fall in love with you, Lexie.’
I lean my head against Ronan’s shoulder.
He turns to place a soft kiss on my cheek, lingering for a moment before pulling away.
‘Versailles has always touched people’s hearts,’ he half whispers. ‘I keep remembering something I found amongst my grandfather’s personal effects. He wrote that “Nature is a reminder of the fundamental principles that are the fabric of life and sustainability. Cherish the habitat around you, for it is a healer for all.” I think what he meant wasn’t necessarily linked in with the effects of modern-day living, but he was talking about people’s mental well-being. He found his peace when he was alone, tending the plants; it was the only time he was able to truly relax – a little respite from the thoughts and fears that haunted him.’
I turn, touching Ronan’s cheek as our eyes meet.
‘We don’t live in a perfect world and that will always cause those who are visionaries to suffer. But without people like that, people who care so much that it becomes their reason for being, so much could be lost. Plants, trees, animals… you name it. People like your grandfather make us all stop and think, and ultimately that’s a good thing, Ronan.’
‘I know, but I’m done with the past. Now it’s all about us and the future.’
He adjusts his position to throw his arm around my shoulders and we both feel the promise of what’s to come.
Ronan leans in to kiss me so softly that when I close my eyes the touch tingles, like a spark of electricity arcing.
Staring down at my hand, I touch the shiny stone that glints back at me, reflecting shards of light from the floodlight situated behind the bench.
‘But Versailles will always be in our hearts, for good reason,’ Ronan continues. ‘And one day, we might even be whisking our child – children, even – off to show them where we met and fell in love.’
The legacy doesn’t end with the story contained within a poignant and beautifully written hardback book. It’s time for Ronan and I to begin the next part of the journey. I can’t wait to discover what the first chapter will hold, but I know the perfect man to help write the story, at some point in the future.
The story of us.
Acknowledgments
I’d like to give a virtual hug to my amazing editor and publishing director, Sarah Ritherdon, who is truly a real pleasure to work with. You are an inspiration, lady!
And to the wider Boldwood team – a truly awesome group of inspiring women I can’t thank enough for their amazing support and encouragement.
There are so many friends who are there for me through thick and thin. They suffer periods of silence when I’m head down, writing. I hide myself away to spend my days with characters who become very real to me and I’m sad when a story draws to a close. But when I pop my head back up it’s like I’ve never been away and no–one refers to the fact that I’m such an erratic friend!
A very special mention to Maisie Rothman, the granddaughter of a dear friend, Sarah. She was my inspiration for the cameo role of five-year-old Maisie in the story. The real-life Maisie is a little girl who always puts a smile on everyone’s face, including mine.
As usual, no book is ever launched without there being an even longer list of people to thank for publicising it. The amazing kindness of my lovely author friends, readers and reviewers is truly humbling. You continue to delight, amaze and astound me with your generosity and support.
Without your kindness in spreading the word about my latest release and your wonderful reviews to entice people to click and download, I wouldn’t be able to indulge myself in my guilty pleasure… writing.
Feeling blessed and sending much love to you all for your treasured support and friendship.
Linn x
More from Lucy Coleman
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About the Author
Lucy Coleman is a #1 bestselling romance writer, whose recent novels include Snowflakes over Holly Cove. She also writes under the name Linn B. Halton. She won the 2013 UK Festival of Romance: Innovation in Romantic Fiction award and lives in the Welsh Valleys.
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First published in Great Britain in 2019 by Boldwood Books Ltd.
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Copyright © Lucy Coleman, 2019
Cover Design by Alice Moore Design
Cover Photography: Shutterstock
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The moral right of Lucy Coleman to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This book is a work of fiction and, except in the case of historical fact, any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Every effort has been made to obtain the necessary permissions with reference to copyright material, both illust
rative and quoted. We apologise for any omissions in this respect and will be pleased to make the appropriate acknowledgements in any future edition.
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A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
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Paperback ISBN 978-1-83889-052-0
Ebook ISBN 978-1-83889-050-6
Kindle ISBN 978-1-83889-051-3
Audio CD ISBN 978-1-83889-053-7
MP3 CD ISBN 978-1-83889-430-6
Digital audio download ISBN 978-1-83889-049-0
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