The Lyon Sleeps Tonight by Elizabeth Ellen Carter

Author:Elizabeth Ellen Carter
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2020-07-11T18:30:00+00:00

OPAL SET DOWN her book and reclined against a wicker picnic basket. She watched Miles Rutherford stand behind and put his arms around Lady Amber Honeyfield, ostensibly to help hold the telescope to afford her a better view of the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral and the Houses of Parliament.

Opal knew much better. She wished her friend the best of luck in his quest to win back his fiancée. The direction of Opal’s attention was noted by Oliver who raised a bottle of beer in her direction. She leaned forward to pick up a strawberry from the bowl before her before nodding in acknowledgement. It was wonderful to see Miles and Amber rebuild their relationship after such extraordinary events – the bride left at the altar, the groom discovered months later with “amnesia”, a ruthless criminal gang…

Still, that wasn’t the only romance in the air. Oliver had turned his eyes to Veronica, a pretty blonde woman who sat across from him with a sketchbook on her knee, capturing the view of London from their vantage point.

Veronica was naturally shy and far too easily dismissed as a wallflower because of it. But once you had gained her trust, she proved to be a witty and insightful friend. Opal hoped Oliver valued it, too.

The rest of their party had decided they’d had enough lounging in the sun. They were enjoying a walk through the woods and would meet them at The Spanish Inn.

Veronica turned over a page in her sketchbook and started a new sketch in earnest.

“What’s caught your attention, Verry?” Oliver asked.

“The man on the horse over there. You can’t see him clearly. He’s in silhouette on the ridge,” she said. “It’s just so striking. I have to capture the view before he disappears.”

“Well, you might impose on him to pose properly,” Oliver observed, “he seems to be coming this way.”

Opal might have ignored the interloper except there was something about the way the rider carried himself. Something familiar.

She picked up her book and used it to shade her eyes. The horse she did not recognize, but the rider…

The rider and mount stopped a dozen yards away.

Peter?

She straightened up.

“Peter?” she called out.

Veronica looked back at her with a frown. “Peter who?”

“You know, Verry, Peter,” said Oliver. “The Peter we’ve all heard about for years and years. See, I told you it wasn’t a figment of my imagination – we did meet him last night.”

The young woman’s face lit up. “Oooh! That Peter. I’m sorry I doubted you, Ollie. You must invite him over here now, Opal.”

It seemed Peter didn’t need any such instruction. He dismounted and approached their party.

“Forgive me for dropping in on your picnic unannounced,” he said. “My business concluded earlier than expected, and Opal mentioned you would be here.”

Oliver got to his feet and shook Peter by the hand.

“Do by all means join us. Amber? Miles? Come and meet Opal’s friend, Peter.”

Before Opal could begin to rise, Peter came forward and offered her his hands. She took them, his strong fingers closing over hers.

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