Always and Forever by L.A. Fiore

was free to concentrate on the work of making his vast holdings even more so. He attacked his responsibilities with such a single-minded determination that at times I had the sense he was running from his demons." Mrs. Hamston paused for a moment before she added, "He seemed like a man who had lost the love of his life yet he held no tender feelings toward his deceased wife."
    "When did he meet Miss Danvers?" Quinn asked as casually as possible.
    "A few years ago he went to London to sponsor his sister for the Season. Miss Danvers was also on the hunt and by the end of the Season he had offered for her."
    "Years ago? He's been betrothed for years? Isn't that a bit odd?" Quinn asked.
    "Yes, well, I think he asked for her hand because he thought he should but I suspect he hasn't been able to go through with it because, deep down, he doesn't want to marry her."
    Quinn felt almost giddy in response to that little tidbit. "Will she bring lots of land and money to the marriage?" she asked.
    The snort from Mrs. Hamston was completely unexpected. "I don't know what the Danvers are telling the nobility, but the truth is there's something off about them. Servants talk, yet no one talks about them. Another oddity is their clothing. Based on what I've seen of the ladies' fashions, they are all last year's or older. Their shoes are well-worn and their unmentionables have been repaired many times. It would seem they barely have two pence to rub together and what little they have the Viscount spends carelessly."
    There was something about the entire situation that just felt off. If the Viscount really was Derek, then who were Lady and Miss Danvers and why did Archer bind himself to them?

    The women had retired for the evening while Thaddeus and Archer adjourned to his solar for an after dinner drink. Thaddeus watched his friend and wondered why he would continue his farce of an engagement to Katherine when he had such an obvious attraction to Quinn? He was curious but he knew his friend well enough to know that if Archer wasn't ready to talk about it then he wouldn't. So instead he decided to find out just how strong Archer's feelings really were for Quinn.
    "I know I said I thought of Quinn as a sister but I'm thinking about asking her to court me," he lied. "She is quite the handsomest woman of my acquaintance."
    At those words, Archer abruptly stood and began prowling around the room. Thaddeus feigned ignorance and continued on.
    "She has such a fire in her soul. I do believe a man would never grow tired of her company. I know you are not altogether fond of her but I am quite captivated."
    Archer stopped pacing and turned to Thaddeus. "Fond of her? My God since the moment Quinn entered my house I have wanted her. I can't think of anything but her. It's driving me insane. I want to cry off my engagement with Katherine and take Quinn to my bed and keep her there until this overwhelming hunger for her is sated."
    "Then why don't you?" Thaddeus said in response to Archer's outburst.
    Archer turned to the fire and Thaddeus knew his next words weren't offered lightly. "I've made a promise and am duty bound to honor it. But if there was anyone who could make me forget my duty, it's her."
    He turned and leveled a resigned gaze on his friend. "I think I would do just about anything for Quinn."
    The following morning Quinn and Nickie headed into the village. She felt it important that Nickie interact with other children his age and since there were none at the castle, they would seek them out in the village. She didn't run that morning, hadn't been doing it as religiously since Archer had stopped coming after their kiss. She craved a bit of exercise and decided to kill two birds with one stone with a horseback ride into town. When they arrived at the stables, Quinn was surprised by the age of the stable master.
    "Morning, Miss. Master Nicholas," he called cheerfully.
    "Hello. Please call me Quinn and you are?"
    "Tommy," the stable master