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The Lord of all Sins (Extended Epilogue)

 

“I am not sure about this, Silas.”

Anna frowned at her husband as he stood in front of the mirror, his manservant handing him a waistcoat.

“I think she’s ready, and so are we. Our family is expanding, and we should adjust accordingly. Beatrice needs to start her own family and life.” Silas looked over significantly at Anna, who sighed.

She was already dressed for the day, sat on their bed as Lena did up her shoes. As Anna had passed the sixth month of her pregnancy, it had become completely impossible for her to see her feet.

“I find this most frustrating!” Anna moaned. “I’ve not seen my own shoes in weeks and I’m the size of a hot-air balloon!”

Silas looked up at her then, noticing her tone, and gave her a soft smile.

“Lena, why don’t you give Madame and I a moment before breakfast?” he said, eyeing Anna up and down.

“Yes, sir.”

Lena left and Silas crossed the room to sit beside his wife, smiling at her grumpy expression.

“You are beautiful, Persephone,” he whispered, placing a soft kiss in the delicate spot of skin behind her ear. “Even when you are the size of a hot air balloon.”

Anna laughed and kissed Silas softly on the mouth. Her husband could always be relied on to snap her out of her bad mood. She watched as he rubbed a warm hand over their child, his fingers flexing protectively when he felt a bouncing kick. They both chuckled softly.

“Beatrice says I’m so big and round because it’s a boy.” Anna placed her hand over Silas’. “A future boxer and cricket champion, by the feel of it.”

“Well, my daughter will be able to box and play cricket,” Silas said.

Anna rolled her eyes. Beatrice and Silas had an ongoing debate about the gender of their future child. Beatrice was sure that Anna was carrying the next Marquess of Willington, but Silas wanted a little daughter to dote on. Anna didn’t mind. She was just excited for the day that she and Silas got to meet their child.

“I agree with you,” Anna said, clutching Silas’ hand. “Beatrice should marry, but I also know her entrance into society has not gone smoothly. I don’t want to pressure her.”

“We’ll think of something,” Silas kissed her, reassuringly and Anna smiled.

Beatrice overheard her brother and Anna’s conversation as they approached the breakfast room. Once again, they were preparing to broach the subject of her formal debut into society. Beatrice sighed heavily, took a sip of her tea, and as soon as the happy couple entered said, “Absolutely not.”

Since the turbulent events of six months ago when Silas and Anna had both almost lost their lives in a kidnapping and gun duel, Beatrice had become more reticent about coming out into society. She couldn’t help the anxiety that came over her whenever they left the estate, or when Anna traveled the familiar journey to visit her mother. When Silas went for business in the city, Beatrice was alive with nerves until he returned.

“Beatrice, you have to have a debut,” Silas said, pulling out his wife’s chair for her.

“Do you not remember how I fared at my first ball? And every ball since?”

Beatrice had no love of society women and the intrigues of high society and she absolutely refused to play the games of the Beau Monde and involve herself in gossip or petty jealousies. She had gained a reputation as being forthright and honest to a fault.

“You’ve done just fine,” Anna said in a mollifying tone.

“A debut is totally different.” Beatrice stared imploringly at her sister in law. “I can’t stand to be the centre of attention!”

“I know it is hard.” Anna reached across the tea pot to squeeze Beatrice’s hand. She took a deep breath. Beatrice was always calmed by Anna’s physical presence. “But we want you to find love, my dear, and there are some things we have to do for that.”

“What if we host the ball at Fallenbrook?” Silas suggested. Anna smiled at her husband encouragingly. “You’re always more comfortable at home.”

“Then you will be able to be in control of every aspect of the ball,” Anna reassured. “Wouldn’t that make it better?”

The idea of planning a ball was far preferable to attending one.

“A little,” Beatrice conceded. “But everyone will still be watching me. I can’t stand it.”

“I have it!” Anna snapped her fingers, grinning at her husband and sister. “We shall throw a masquerade ball! You can wear a beautiful gown and hide your face, and debut into society without everyone knowing who you are immediately.”

“This is a good idea,” Silas nodded. “They will have to speak to you personally to identify you. That way, you can control your interactions and maybe,” He pinched his sister with a wink “meet someone suitable.”

Beatrice rolled her eyes. To her, it seemed very unlikely, almost impossible. After all, she didn’t like society men, finding them too out of touch and privileged to really engage her. The kind of man she felt desire for was unlikely to be found at a high society ball.

“Alright,” Beatrice sighed. “A masked ball it is.”

 


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  • I loved the storyline and found the writing style to be easy to read. To me it’s a perfect regency romance. A arranged marriage with a twist and happy ending and what’s love without lust………
    The length off the book is perfect, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Thank you!

  • I loved the storyline with just enough of intrigue. The book was impossible to put down. Would love to read Bea’s story.

  • This book was a very enjoyable read. It touched on a delicate subject that existed in this period and it was well written. The story held enough mysteries and intrigues that I did not want to stop.

  • Loved the short-term I love an unapologetic bad boy finding the love of his life. Looking forward to reading more stories

  • I enjoyed the storyline and the evolution of the characters. I had to finish reading it eventhough I was awake until 4:00 a.m. I am waiting for Bea’s story!

  • So happy to see two people who were raised with cruel fathers were able to find peace and happiness with each other.

  • Wonderful story. Romance and mystery. So much intrigue. Can’t wait for Beatrice story. Glad to see a commoner and noble get together. Wonder what sex the baby was.

  • Nice story held the attention throughout. But the ending was so abrupt and left a lot to be desired. For me the ending is so important and this let the story down .

    • Dear Marie, thank you for your honest feedback. I am sorry that you didn’t enjoy the end of this novel. I will keep this on my mind for my future books!

  • I loved the back and forth drama of this story. Lisa Campell is a wonderful teller of intrigues! A must read.

  • Great story. Silas and Anna were perfect for each other. Anna showed a lot of grit!! Now we must see what happens to Bea?

  • Beautiful story, fast pace, great characters, kept you pretty involved with the plot. Love it! Looking forward to the next story.

  • Loved every word , the story came together beautifully, can’t wait for Bea’s story , loved , loved couldn’t put it down, Baby’s name ???

    • Thank you so much dear Nannette! I am glad that you are so excited about my novel! You will learn this soon…;)

  • Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Plot was great. Just enough character development on all major characters. Loved how Anna and Silas came together to have their HEA. Enjoyed the Extended Epilogue; however, would have liked to have found out whether the baby was a boy or girl. Would recommend to my friends.

    • Thank you so much dear Dorothy for your comment! I guess there is a way to find this out in the future.You just have to stay tuned for the sequel! 😉

  • Just the right touch of intimacy for these strong Regency Era characters. Fresh writing and a very entertaining storyline…thank you!

  • The story was beautiful and the characters are very compelling. I thought Silas is a highly unusual character for this time period, when men essentially owned their wives and could exert complete control over them. He has very progressive views and Anna is very independent. Thanks for a great story.

    • Dear Madhavi, thank you for your comment! I am glad you enjoyed this book. Indeed Silas is not the usual gentleman of this period. What should we read about him if he was just like everyone else? 😉

  • Great read. I’m guessing we’ll find out about the birth in Beatrice’s story, and betting on twins, an heir and a little girl to spoil!

  • Good story line that touched on a topic that would not necessarily be included in a historical romance- abuse, both child and spousal abuse. Your careful handling of the topic and yet showing the lingering affects to the victims was well done. Looking forward to your next book.

    • Dear Debra, I am sorry if you feel that there are still open issues in this book. I don’t believe I left any cliffhanger about our protagonists . If you are talking about Beatrice, then soon enough you will learn about her in the sequel! 😉

  • Lots of intrigue and excitement plus action in this story with a happy ending. This is the best kind of entertainment (reading)

    • Thank you so much dear Mandy! My new novel is ‘Governess in Disguise’ . I hope that you will enjoy this one too!

  • Back in the day, entry into the “ton” was almost impossible but good things often happened to those who deserved them. Beautifully written, loves the humor, frustration and the ending was spectacular. Thank you.

  • This was a very engaging story. I loved the dedication of the main characters to each other. I read this book in record time.

    • Hello dear Gloria! If you mean the sequel is in the making right now…so you will have to wait a little bit to read it! 😉

  • I do like a well written historical romance, the characters were brought to life, loved it, but it ended very abruptly, we have to wait for Bea’s story now & find out if boy, girl or twins for Anna & Lucifer, & if Bea finds love 🌹

    • Dear Anna, thanks for your comment! I am glad that you liked my novel… Bea’s story is coming so… Stay tuned 😉

  • Loved this story. Looking forward to Bea’s story and to find out about the baby or babies. Absolutely love your books!

  • I usually find romance stories boring but you caught my atttention one page 1. it could have been my story as i grew up with abuse untill i met my husband, my hero. Thank you for a great story. I amm a fann forever.

    • Dear Roberta thanks for your honest feedback! I have passed the complaints about the proofreading to my editing team! I am glad you enjoyed this story. 🥰

  • Enjoyed reading this book..1st one of Lisa Campbell’s books that I read..so was pleasantly surprised. Thanks to the author. Will look out for the continuation with Beatrice..

  • I love this book! Not once did it lack in keeping my interest,was hard to put down. Really looking forward to continuation of these characters. Thank you, Thank you!!!!

  • Such an engaging story of two strong, tortured people finding a soulmate to love for HEA! Thank you!!

  • The plot was very good. The ending was a little off. Did they have a ball? Did Beatrice ever find love? What happened in the end to everybody?

    • Thanks for your comment, dear Debbie. You will see what happened next in the sequel which is very near! Stay tuned 😉

  • Truly enjoyed reading this book. Intriguing storyline that kept me turning pages as quickly as possible. Well written. Explanations of characters great. Would love to know if Anna has twins??? Hopefully… and would love to see Beatrice’s story???

    • Dear Ann, thanks for the comment! I am glad you enjoyed this story! Beatrice’s story will be here soon!!!

  • Another beautiful romance from Lisa Campell. Love reading these they put a smile on your face and make you feel all gooey. Regency women are awesome.

  • LOVED it especially Lucifer great read lots of action .
    Would like to be a a follow up possibly with Giovanni or Beatrice.

    • Thank you for your positive feedback, dear Pickle! Stay tuned as there are more to come! 😉

  • Loved this story of two abused and tormented souks finding love together. Anna and Lucifer were a heavenly match made in hell! Thank you Lisa x

  • I wish someone would proof read these books before they go to the printer ! So many typos !!

    • Dear Cindy, thanks for your honest feedback! The truth is that I have recently changed my editing team. I hope that you will see fewer typos now 🙏

  • Very nice read! Good plot, great characters andjustight amount of spice! A very enteraining read…enjoyed…can’t wait for next story!

    • Thank you so much dear Donna! You can find Beatrice’s story under the name: Lord of All Pleasures 🙂

    • Hey dear Pamala, thanks for your comment! What do you mean by the rest of it? If you want to find the sequel is my novel titled: Lord of All Pleasures 🙂

  • This is the first book I have read by this author. Absolutely loved it. Great plot line with strong characters male and female. Lisa Campbell is definitely now one of my favourite authors.

  • Loved the storyline and your words created a wonderful visualization of the characters. The sentence structure confused me in a few places but this is an editing problem and only minimally detracted from my enjoyment.

  • Loved the story line and the witty conversations between the various characters. Would love to know why her father had a change of heart. May be in the next story.

  • Loved it!!! Hated putting it down. Can’t wait to read the sequel which I shall download now. Great characters and interaction.

  • What..that’s the extended epilogue!!! I want more…will she have twins, how will the ball go? Will Beatrice find love,
    And much more. I just loved the story..the end was too abrupt….the book too short. I LOVE it

  • Very well written and plot very good. Knew Lucifer had to be a good guess but his reputation as a bad one was very well thought out and was well hidden until the reveal. Enjoyed this one very much. Read it all in one night. Could not put it down. Congratulations on a job well done

    • Thank you so much for this comment! I’m very happy you enjoyed this book. I just hope you still had some time to sleep that night 😉

  • This was a very enjoyable read. The characters are exciting. The read was easy and fast. I don’t like stories that stretch out forever.

    • Thank you for your comment, dear Rena. If this wasn’t enough, you might want to check out the sequel… 😉

  • I have read this book about a year ago and I enjoyed it this time as much as I enjoyed it the first time! Thank you so much!

    • Dear Shanna, I’m so glad you liked the story! The next one is “Lord of All Pleasures”! I hope to hear your thoughts on that one, too…

  • This story was totally original & the characters were masterfully created! I was genuinely thrilled by Lisa Campbell’s satisfying novel of this roller-coaster romance which delivers a well written powerful gut-punch of suspense, raw romance and kept me mystified until the very end!!

  • Great story, really enjoyed reading it. There was plenty of pace and tension making the book unputdownable! Had to be read in one sitting. Not so many anachronisms this time either. Brilliant!

    • Hello my dear Maggie, thank you for the sweet comment! I am really glad you enjoyed the story!

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