An Unsinkable Love - By Terri Benson Page 0,84

anyone, but he never made a fuss about it. Most summers we would find pets that had been tortured and killed, and I always wondered. Guess I should have paid more attention."

Malcolm shook his head. "You were a kid then too. And you can bet Eldon would have had a story to explain away any questions."

Bree snuggled close in his embrace as he continued, his voice tinged with sadness, "I wonder who besides Father got in his way? How many others has he hurt or killed?"

"You can bet I'll be lookin' into that. I don't suppose it matters much now, but if there's families out there wondering about someone who's missing, I'd like to give them an answer, one way or the other."

Elizabeth pleaded, "Find Eleanor. I never believed she would just leave us. She had no family in France or England and I'm sure she had no money." She gripped his arm tightly.

"Try to find her, please."

"I will."

Malcolm frowned. "You know, while we were in Europe I read some novels by two Frenchman. I forget their names.

Their stories had a villain named Fantômas. He did all kinds of horrible things, but never considered anything he did bad.

They were just things he thought he needed to do to make his life better. He even killed his own son. He adapted to fit 270

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any situation and no one knew what he was really like. I think Eldon was the same—he had no conscience."

Ernie nodded. "I think you're right." He took a deep breath, as if to clear his lungs from the foulness Eldon had become.

Elizabeth spoke up. "I suggest another strong drink for all of us, but perhaps we should partake in the library?"

They trooped down the hall just as Anderson and Bertie returned. "I'll join you in a moment," Ernie said, and turned to help the servants.

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Chapter 46

The police left in the wee hours of the morning, taking Eldon's body with them. Elizabeth retired to her room, but not before Malcolm glimpsed a gentle embrace between his mother and the police chief.

He stood with Bree in the doorway and watched the convoy of vehicles roll down the drive, then urged her down onto the lawn. They slowly made their way around to the garden where they wandered hand in hand, enjoying the mild weather and soothing quiet. The faint lavender tint of dawn backlit the big oaks lining the drive. Gravel crunched beneath their shoes.

"You know, this might be the first peaceful moment we've had since we met," Bree said.

Malcolm snorted with amusement as he pulled her into his arms in the shadow of a huge rhododendron bush. She melted against him. He felt the instant response in his heart, and his body. She turned her face up to him and he eagerly accepted the invitation. After several long, satisfying moments, he raised his head. "You know, my love, we've weathered more disasters in the weeks we've known each other than most people do in a lifetime. If the seas couldn't take us, and Eldon didn't manage to do us in, I think we've got smooth sailing ahead."

Bree touched the cross at her neck. "Amen to that."

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Gaelic Vocabulary

Cobh: Cove

A shìorraidh!: For Heaven's sake!

a Thighearna!: Oh, Lord!

Dhuine!: Oh, Dear!

Gu sealladh orm!: My goodness!

a ghaoil: My love

Caidil gu math, caomh: Sleep well, beloved Cailín: Colleen or girl

uafàsach!: horrible, terrible

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About Terri Benson

www.lyricalpress.com/store/index.php?mainpage=authors

&authorsid=193

Terri Benson is a history buff. And a romantic. And a chocoholic.

Each of these is a good thing, especially for a writer of historical romance. I love to delve into the past and pull out little tidbits that make history real and allow my characters to come alive. All the foibles, attitudes and emotions of real people, because that's the way I see them. I will have reached my goal if readers close their eyes and see what's happening in my stories, if they fantasize about meeting someone just like my hero, and hope that something just as wonderful and exciting awaits them in their dreams.

Pick up my books and go to places almost forgotten in time and meet some unforgettable people—you'll be friends forever. Come on, ignore real life for a little while. You'll be glad you did.

Terri's Website:

www.terribensonwriter.com

Readers' eMail:

[email protected]

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

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