by Clare Revell
Oliver grinned. “Then let’s get married.”
Connie gazed at him. “And I finally get to discover this mysterious middle name of yours.”
Johnny laughed. “Yes, he told us about your guessing game. His mysterious name goes back seven generations the way he tells it. And a shipboard wedding would be so appropriate.”
Connie shook her head. “Will you just tell me?”
Oliver kissed her. “Marry me and you’ll find out.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Monday 30th July 2018.
Oliver carried the tray across the huge stateroom and out onto the private balcony. The butler had tried to insist on taking it, but Oliver had this ridiculous idea of serving his new wife himself and nothing was going to stop that from happening. Was it ridiculous to serve her, love her himself rather than someone else doing it? Maybe not.
Connie smiled up at him. “You sure you don’t want breakfast in bed?”
He tilted his head. “Well, the idea did cross my mind, but you wanted to video call Paul and, as much as he loves you, I think that might be a bit much for him.”
She snorted, pouring two cups of tea. “Just a little. It’s typical of him to want the story behind your middle name and none of the others. But then they always thought the guessing game was silly. He never did.”
“I didn’t.” Oliver blew her a kiss. “Cute. Bizarre choice of names at times. But never silly.”
Connie giggled. “I hadn’t actually run out either. But now you’ll never know what they were.”
Her phone rang. “And there he is. Only a minute or so late.”
Oliver reached for the phone. “Let me.” He slid his finger over the screen to answer the call. “Good morning, Paul.”
Paul beamed. “Morning, Uncle Oliver. Or should that be Dad now?”
Oliver chuckled. “That, my boy, is entirely your choice. I’m happy to answer to both.”
“Is Mum up?”
Connie rolled her eyes and shuffled her chair around the table next to Oliver. “Yes I am, you cheeky boy. Oh, and on the subject of being cheeky, Oliver said you sent him a photo of the very short, orange hair.”
Paul had the decency to blush. “But you looked sooo cu-ute…” He deliberately extended the words so and cute as he winked. “Anyway, I’d never heard the name Seaborne before you exchanged vows. How did you end up with it?”
“Long story.” Oliver picked up his cup and took a quick swig. “My great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather—that’s 7 greats—was born aboard a naval vessel in 1745 where his father was the captain. No one can remember the name of the ship, more’s the pity.”
“Maybe they should have used that instead.” Paul laughed. “You could have been Oliver HMS Dauntless Voight instead. But I didn’t think women were allowed on ships back then.”
“They weren’t banned from naval vessels until 1808. Before that it wasn’t unknown for the Captain to have his wife aboard with him at least part of the time. Anyway, his wife wanted the baby’s name to commemorate his birthplace. Hence Seaborne. And every firstborn male has had the name somewhere ever since.”
“Even Anthony?” Connie asked.
Oliver nodded. “Remember he’s Anthony S Shepherd?”
“Ah, yes.” She leaned in and kissed his cheek. “So that’s why you never told me his full name.”
Paul coughed. “Okay, I’m going to go to work and let you two lovebirds carry on with the honeymoon. When will you be home?”
“The ship docks back in Southampton on 2nd September at half past six in the morning. We can get a train back to York.”
“No, you won’t. Micah or I will be there to pick you up. Let us know when you get into New York. Love you. Bye.”
The screen went dead. Oliver raised a brow. “Does he always end a call like that?”
Connie laughed. “The girls have a better one. ‘Who’s sexy and hangs up?’ Only they always cut off the call on the word hang or and, so I never get the chance to end the call first.”
Oliver snorted and wrapped an arm around her. “Well, I’ll have you know that you are by far the loveliest, sexiest woman on the boat.” He grinned as her eyes widened and her mouth formed a perfect O. “Something wrong, honey?”
“I didn’t think pastors were allowed to say things like that.”
“Seem to remember telling you that pastors are just as human as their congregations.” He angled his head. “Have you never read the Song of Solomon? That is a perfect description of marriage and real love.”
She shook her head. “No. Maybe I should.”
“Yeah, maybe you should.” He kissed her. “Now, are you hungry or shall we find something else to do?”
Connie glanced at the tray of pastries and looked up at him shyly. “They won’t get cold. Just cover them.”
Oliver did so. Standing, he scooped Connie into his arms. “In that case, breakfast can wait.”
Connie laughed as she slid an arm around his neck. “Are you carrying me up those stairs as well as over the threshold? You don’t want to put your back out and have to spend the rest of the honeymoon in bed…” Her voice tailed off and her cheeks pinked. “I mean…”
Oliver kissed her. “I know what you mean. And so long as you’re with me, I’ll spend the time anywhere.” He took several strides into their stateroom, nudging the door shut behind them.
THE END
Peppermint Creams
INGREDIENTS:
225g (1 packet) icing sugar
115g (1 tin) condensed milk
Several drops peppermint essence
Few drops of Green/pink/whatever colour you fancy food colouring
Melted chocolate (optional)
METHOD:
1. Sift icing sugar into a bowl.
2. Add condensed milk and few drops of green colouring and blend to a stiff mixture.
3. Flavour with peppermint essence to taste.
4. Roll out onto a board covered with icing sugar. Cut into whatever shapes you fancy – stars, trees, circles, the possibilities are endless – using small cutters. Or simply roll into small balls and flatten with your fingers.
5. Drizzle with the chocolate or half dunk the sweet into the chocolate.
6. Leave to set in the fridge. When set, transfer to an airtight box. Keep in the fridge. Will last three weeks, although I’ve yet to see that happen :)
Excerpt ~ Dark Lake
By Clare Revell
Pretty as a picture, but death lurks beneath the waters of Dark Lake.
Archaeologist Dr. Lou Fitzgerald is used to unexpected happenings, and they don't usually faze her. After surviving a childhood disability, and dealing with an unfair boss, Lou has learned the art of rolling with the punches. But when she arrives at Dark Lake, what was supposed to be a simple archaeological dig is beyond even her wildest imaginations.
Land owner Evan Close has his own reasons for keeping the secrets of Dark Lake, and this attractive interloper is a menace. Her precious dig threatens to bring his house of cards tumbling down around him, and he feels helpless to stop it.
It soon becomes apparent there are dark forces at work, and Lou's simple assignment turns into a mystery. Solving that mystery comes with a steep price.
EXCERPT:
Evan drained the whiskey and held the glass up to the light. “Why send her?”
“Sir?”
“It’s a rhetorical question. I was wondering why Varian would send her when it’s in his interests to keep the past buried. It’s something we need to address in the not too distant future.”
He rose and set the glass down. Crossing to the large picture window, he glanced at his reflection, pushing his fingers through his hair. Then he gazed out at the streets of London several stories below him. The Thames glinted in the sunlight. “I need to get up there. I’ll take the jet. Pack for several days, and I’ll do the same. Make the usual arrangements for us to be met at the airport and leave the file with me. I want to read it
.”
Ira nodded, placed the folder on the desk, and headed to the door.
Evan crossed back to the desk and held down the intercom. “Janet, I’m heading up to Dark Lake for a week or so. Can you arrange to have the jet on standby? And ask the manor staff get the house ready. I’ll be there first thing.”
“Yes, Mr. Close.”
Evan released the intercom, and then grabbed his briefcase and placed it carefully on the desk. He’d paid good money for the black leather with gold trim and didn’t want to damage it. He strode to the filing cabinet and drew the key from his jacket pocket.
He ran over the files until he reached D. Then he removed every file pertaining to Dark Lake. What was Varian Sparrow playing at? Yes, the water levels in the lake were low. But that had happened before and would happen 1 again. Just like at the Ladybower Dam several years ago. It didn’t mean anything. Did it?
He couldn’t take the risk. The secrets of Dark Lake had to stay buried in the past where they belonged. The problem was, this archaeologist, this Dr. Louisa Fitzgerald dug up and exposed the past for a living.
She had to be halted, one way or another.
If it was the last thing he did, he had to stop her.
Dark Lake is available in Ebook, paperback and audio book.
You can pick up a copy
Amazon UK
Amazon US
Pelican Book Group
About Clare Revell
Where faith and romance meet
CLARE REVELL is a British author. She lives in a small town just outside Reading, England with her husband, whom she married in 1992, their three children, and unfriendly mini-panther, aka Tilly the black cat. Clare is half English and half Welsh, which makes watching rugby interesting at times as it doesn’t matter who wins.
Writing from an early childhood and encouraged by her teachers, she graduated from rewriting fairy stories through fan fiction to using her own original characters and enjoys writing an eclectic mix of romance, crime fiction and children’s stories. When she’s not writing, she can be found reading, crocheting or doing the many piles of laundry the occupants of her house manage to make.
Her books are based in the UK, with a couple of exceptions, thus, although the spelling may be American, the books contain British language and terminology.
The first draft of every novel is hand written.
She has been a Christian for more than half her life. She goes to Carey Baptist where she is one of four registrars.
She also has a newsletter. You can sign up for it HERE. Your email never gets passed on, and you won’t be inundated with mail either. It’s four maybe five times a year.
She also prefers to be behind the camera rather than in front of it. Hence this rather old photo. It was this one or one when she was five and rather cute.
Connect with Clare Revell
I hope you enjoyed Oceans Apart. If you did, please consider leaving a review on Amazon. It doesn’t have to be a long or wordy one. Even short, positive, “I really liked it” reviews count as they show the author they’re appreciated and help point other readers to Christian fiction.
Thank you for reading.
If you’d like to receive information on new releases, new covers, and new writing projects, please sign up for my newsletter. I promise I won’t pass your email on to anyone else, you won’t get millions of emails from me – four, maybe six a year if that.
Please visit my website for more of my books:
www.revell124.plus.com/clarerevell
You can also find me at Pelican Book Group and on social media:
UK
US
Titles By Clare Revell
Clare’s books can be found at:
Amazon UK
Amazon US
Pelican Book Group
CHRISTMAS
Season for Miracles
Saving Christmas
Times Arrow
An Aussie Christmas Angel
Fairytale of Headley Cross
Christmas Eva
A Mummy for Christmas
Down in Yon Forest
The Hector Clause
Once Upon A Christmas
Journey to Christmas (coming December 2018)
NOVELLAS
Cassie's Wedding Dress
Married By Easter
Oceans Apart
FLOWERS CAN BE FATAL
Carnations in January (Book 1)
Violets in February (Book2)
Daffodils in March (Book 3)
Sweet peas in April (Book 4)
Lily of the Valley in May (Book 5)
Roses in June (Book 6)
Water lilies in July (Book 7)
Gladioli in August (Book 8)
Forget-me-nots in September (Book 9)
Marigolds in October (Book 10)
’Mums in November (Book 11)
Holly in December (Book 12)
CHOICES, CONSEQUENCES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Zara’s Folly (Book 1)
Quinn’s Choice (Book 2)
NOVELS
After The Fire
Turned
Dark Lake
MONDAY’S CHILD
Monday’s Child (Book 1)
Tuesday’s Child (Book 2)
Wednesday’s Child (Book 3)
Thursday’s Child (Book 4)
Friday’s Child (Book 5)
Saturday’s Child (Book 6)
Sunday’s Child (Book 7)
A TUSCAN LEGACY
La Fiamma Sacra (Book 5)
Other books in this multi-author series are by:
Marion Ueckermann, Elizabeth Maddrey, Alexa Verde, Heather Gray, Narelle Atkins, and Autumn Macarthur
FREE READS
Kisses from Heaven
Shadows of the Past (Times Arrow Sequel)
Dutch Crocus (Flowers Can Be Fatal series finale)
PASSPORT TO ROMANCE
Vegas Vacation
Welsh Wildfire
PURE AMORE
Battle of the Flowers
Keepsake
All That Glitters
YOUNG ADULT NOVELS
SIGNAL ME
November Charlie (Book 1)
Delta Victor (Book 2)
Echo Foxtrot (Book 3)
ANTHOLOGIES
Red (anthology of devotions)
Cooking with Grace (anthology of recipes)
I Thirst (anthology of devotions)
