From The Ashes (Ministry of Curiosities Book 6) Read online

  "Let's hope Lady Harcourt decides to stay home," Lady Vickers said, lifting her gaze to meet mine. "Apparently she has been invited." It was a warning, and one I appreciated. I gave her a nod of thanks.

  Not that I was concerned about her hold over Lincoln. She had none. Yet her unpleasant waspishness could prove trying and I wanted to avoid her, if possible.

  I touched Lincoln's knee beneath the table and he rested his hand over mine. We'd spent the morning hanging ornaments, paper flowers, and little bags of nuts on the tree in the entrance hall with Alice and Lady Vickers, while Seth, Gus and Doyle helped Cook with the meal preparations. The men had already wound ivy and mistletoe up the staircase rail and along the fireplace mantels, giving Lichfield a festive feel. Enjoying dinner altogether, with Lincoln at my side, was more than I'd hoped for mere days before. A year ago…well, I'd hardly allowed myself to hope that I'd ever experience a joyous Christmas again. It had seemed an impossibility.

  As if he knew the direction of my thoughts, Lincoln squeezed my hand. "I'm sorry I didn't have a gift prepared for you," he said, picking up his glass. "But a rather abrasive nurse wouldn't allow me to leave the house. I didn't dare counter her."

  "That abrasive nurse doesn't need another gift, thank you." My smile faded. I indicated the others, sitting around the table, talking quietly to one another. "This is all I want. Besides, I didn't get you anything either. I've been busy with a recalcitrant patient who doesn't like to rest."

  He placed his arm across the back of my chair and leaned closer. His lips brushed my ear, his fingers skimmed my shoulder. It was as much an announcement to the others as it was an intimate move. "You gave me everything, Charlie. Everything."

  THE END

  Coming Soon:

  The 7th Ministry of Curiosities Novel

  by C.J. Archer

  As Charlie and Lincoln’s lives settle into a harmonious pattern, a new threat arises that could have far reaching effects for the royal family and Lincoln’s parents.

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  A Message From The Author

  I hope you enjoyed reading FROM THE ASHES as much as I enjoyed writing it. As an independent author, getting the word out about my book is vital to its success, so if you liked this book please consider telling your friends and writing a review at the store where you purchased it. If you would like to be contacted when I release a new book, subscribe to my newsletter at http://cjarcher.com/contact-cj/newsletter/. You will only be contacted when I have a new book out.

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  I wrote a short story featuring Lincoln Fitzroy that is set before THE LAST NECROMANCER. Titled STRANGE HORIZONS, it reveals how he learned where to look for Charlie during a visit to Paris. While the story can be read as a standalone, it contains spoilers from The 1st Freak House Trilogy, so I advise you to read that series first. The best part is, the short story is FREE, but only to my newsletter subscribers. So subscribe now via my website if you haven't already.

  Also by C.J. Archer

  SERIES WITH 2 OR MORE BOOKS

  Glass and Steele

  The Emily Chambers Spirit Medium Trilogy

  The 1st Freak House Trilogy

  The 2nd Freak House Trilogy

  The 3rd Freak House Trilogy

  The Ministry of Curiosities Series

  The Assassins Guild Series

  Lord Hawkesbury's Players Series

  The Witchblade Chronicles

  SINGLE TITLES NOT IN A SERIES

  Courting His Countess

  Surrender

  Redemption

  The Mercenary's Price

  About the Author

  C.J. Archer has loved history and books for as long as she can remember and feels fortunate that she found a way to combine the two. She has at various times worked as a librarian, IT support person and technical writer but in her heart has always been a fiction writer. Her first historical fantasy series, THE EMILY CHAMBERS SPIRIT MEDIUM TRILOGY, has sold over 45,000 copies and garnered rave reviews. C.J. lives in Melbourne with her husband, two children and a mischievous black & white cat named Coco.

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