Clifford Stone, a Rakehell, owner of Stone Court, Millcote, Somerset, England
Vanessa Stone, nee Hawkesworth, his wife, a great scholar
(for their story, see The Mad Mistress)
Stewart Fitzgerald, the Duke of Clancar, Thomas Eltham's cousin near Ellesmere Manor, Ardmore, Southern Ireland
Vevina Joyce Fitzgerald, wealthy Irish heiress, his wife
(for their story, see Scars Upon Her Heart)
Colonel Wilfred (Will) Joyce, Vevina's brother
Major Geoffrey Parks, Will's best friend
ADC Duncan Monroe, The Fitzgeralds' and Will's close friend
Francis and Jeanne Baines, Vevina's domestic staff and friends
Marcus Fitzsimmons, Stewart's cousin, an Irish landlord, one of Elizabeth's potential suitors at Ellesmere Manor, Ireland
Amelia and Mary, his sisters
Timothy Teague, Local landlord, one of Elizabeth's potential suitors
James Teague, Local landlord, one of Elizabeth's potential suitors
Sean Kelly Local Catholic landlord, one of Elizabeth's potential suitors
Mr. Edward Locke, the local vicar
Mr. Patrick Nolan, the local verger at the church at Ardmore
Penelope Nolan, the local verger's sister, a bluestocking
Sarah Deveril Davenport, Jonathan's youngest sister
Jason Alexander Davenport, (Alexander), her husband
(for their story, see The Matchless Miss)
The Earl of Ferncliffe, an old enemy of the Rakehells
Other Characters in the Series Mentioned in Passing
Henry Stone, Clifford Stone's younger brother, resides in Millcote
Josephine Stone, his wife
Malcolm Branson, friend of the Stones, works with his father Geoffrey
Geoffrey Branson, Malcolm's father, local magistrate at Millcote, Somerset, England
Jonathan Deveril, a Rakehell, vicar of Brimley and Eltham
Pamela Deveril, nee Ashton, his wife
(for their story, see The Miss Matched)
Herbert Paxton, an old enemy of the Rakehells, now deceased, killed in a coaching accident while kidnapping Charlotte Eltham
Captain Breedon, an old enemy of the Rakehells, now deceased, killed in a struggle with Sarah Deveril to save Alexander's life
Dr. Blake Sanderson, a Rakehell, a doctor in London
Philip Marshall, a Rakehell, a man about Town in London
Michael Avenel, a Rakehell, crippled former soldier, lives in Bath, England
Alistair Grant, a Rakehell, a barrister in London
Chapter One
31 August 1814
Two pairs of eyes scanned the coast, looking for the long-awaited signal. Nothing. Still nothing. Hour after hour, day after day, yet still nothing.
Both pairs of eyes looked wearily out to sea, and wished that it could all be over at last. The long years of war had taken their toll. It would be good to have the fighting finally finished.
Many people had foolishly assumed that just because Napoleon had abdicated as Emperor of France in early April, it was all over. But it would never be over until the ultimate victory was achieved.
One of the men longed for the return of the glorious Bonaparte.
The other yearned for a decisive victory by the Coalition forces so that everyone could at last breath a sigh of relief, and get back to something approaching a normal life.
Both wished for peace, to go home to their families, their houses. Neither was sure what that would mean. The prospect was almost frightening.
It had been so long, over three years, since they had lived a regular life. The prospect of being under the same roof, within the same four walls, night after night, in a decent bed, with good food and warmth, regular companionship, was almost more than the men could fathom.
One of them dreamed of all the glory, the rewards to be had once this last great mission was complete and the final victory was won. Then everything he had ever lusted for would be his for the taking. Women, money, jewels, estates…
The other longed to be able to return to the estate where he had grown up without any shadows to mar his future. His name cleared, all the charges against him dropped, and any lingering doubts about his character and loyalties put to rest at last. And not just his name cleared, but his poor deceased father's as well.
He knew how lucky he had been ever since he had been arrested, had escaped, and been forced to flee his homeland. But he would not rest until he had got back everything he had lost, with interest.
Money he already had, jewels, an estate near Grenoble which he and his sister and her husband had inherited jointly a couple of months before. At least they had got to see their old uncle before he had died.
But he wanted his own home. And more than anything, he wanted his father back. And his wife and unborn child.
He tried to quash the thought, but the grief had already begun to grip his chest and squeeze like a vice. He forced his mind away from the guilt and pain, and scanned the aquamarine sea once more carefully. But he saw nothing.