Destined To Last

Destined To Last (2010) Alissa Johnson (The Providence Series #4)

Set in England in 1815

He glanced at her. “Is it necessary for you to practice?”

“In a general sense you mean?” she guessed, then continued when he nodded. “Of course. How could I improve otherwise?”

“I hadn’t thought it possible for you to improve.” She felt her cheeks warm. “I thank you for the compliment, but one can always improve. And one should always strive to, in my opinion. I’d hate to think I was no more skilled today than I was five years ago. I’d hate to think I was the same person I was five years ago.” She thought about that. “How disheartening it would be to know the person I am now is exactly the same as the person I was then, and exactly the same person I’ll be twenty years from now.”

“You want to be someone else?” Hunter asked.

“No, I just want to be better.”

“Would it be less disappointing if I showed you how to pick a few of those locks?” Hunter asked.

Kate felt her eyes go round. She’d wanted to acquire that skill ever since she’d discovered Sophie, the Duchess of Rockeforte, possessed it. Unfortunately, Evie and Mirabelle had been more interested in receiving instructions in Sophie’s other unusual talent, knife throwing, which was something Kate felt she had no business attempting.

“It is Lady Thurston.”

“Oh, yes, of course.” Miss Willory scrambled to keep a book from dropping. “I don’t know why I can’t seem to remember.”

“Because you are a selfish, spoiled, and monumentally spiteful individual, Mary Jane Willory, that is why.” She ignored Miss Willory’s gasp to continue on in a frigid tone. “And since you appear incapable of observing even the most basic forms of etiquette when in the company of myself and those in my husband’s employ, you will no longer be welcome at Haldon Hall for any reason. Do I make myself clear?”

“I was a liar, a cheat, and a thief.” He spit the words out quickly, afraid he would lose the courage.

“I see,” she said slowly. “What did you do?”

“I lied, I cheated, and I stole,” he replied in a tone that was both dry and cautious.

Characters: Lady Kate Cole, Mr. Andrew Hunter, Mrs. Evie McAlistair, Mr. James McAlistair, Alex Durmant Duke of Rockeforte, Sophie Duchess of Rockeforte, Lady Mirabelle Cole, Whittaker Cole Earl of Thurston, dowager Lady Thurston, Mr. William Fletcher, Mrs. Mary Summers, Lizzy, Puck, Mr. Laury, Lord Martin, Miss Mary Jane Willory, Miss Rebecca Heins, Mrs. Keenes and Mrs. Lubeck, Mrs. Ifill, Mrs. Warrings, Mr. Potsbottom

Publisher: Stonesong Digital

Rating: 7.5/10

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