The Last Keeper Read Free

another birth to add to the records before the end of the year. I hope for a girl this time, a miniature replica of my Alison, providing the troubles she is having pass. I love our sons, but a girl would complete the family nicely.
    Should this letter arrive before your dreaded occasion, please relax and try to have fun. The toes you step on will heal in time, I promise.
    I look forward to hearing of your exploits and injuries.

    Love always,
    Your Brother,
    William

    Injuries. That was a long-standing source of amusement between us. In order to avoid these dreaded things, I used to pretend that I had no skill at all when it came to dancing. The truth was I could dance the night away without so much as a thought, but I hated it. It had become a means of torture over the years. On this one occasion, I accidentally stepped on some poor fellow’s toe, breaking the thing . . . well, it had been a running joke ever since.  

    “Serenity?” Helen asked from the doorway. I hadn’t realised that I’d stopped what I was doing. How long had I been sitting here staring off into space? “Is there news?”
    “Alison is expecting again.” I smiled and handed her the letter. “William has also found his first grey hair. I am thinking of making a comment regarding his age, though he’ll no doubt come back with something worse.”
    “You are a few years older than him,” she said. “Anyway, I came to tell you it’s time to get ready.”
    Already? Time must have slipped away from me.  
    “Must I go?” I grumbled again.
    “You must keep up appearances. Come now, I picked out your green dress.” She handed me the letter. “I know how much you enjoy wearing it.”
    I rose and did what I did with everything I received from my brother: I burned it in the fireplace. He did the same with those I sent him. Short of never contacting each other, it was the easiest way to ensure safety. We’d decided once there were only two of us, that we needed to keep in touch in case anything happened. And it was nice to be reminded that I was not yet the last.  
    “Serenity?” Helen called.  
    I hadn’t realised I’d stopped, thinking again. It was something that was happening more and more often. And it wasn’t a good thing. Getting caught up in my thoughts at the wrong moment could cost someone their life, or it could come as close to costing my own as was possible.
    “Perhaps we should move,” Helen said. The words crashed through me, sending the strangest feeling of fear racing through my veins.
    “Don’t be silly. As soon as I know where the London Seat are, I’ll be fine. If Jayne doesn’t improve, then I’ll start looking. However, I feel I need to be here. You’re free to use any of my properties if you wish to leave. This isn’t exactly a safe city at the moment.”  
    I already knew what her answer would be. Helen would be wherever I was, and that included her daughter and her brother, Sam, who was no doubt retrieving the car for the evening. Sam had been with us for years, choosing to stay with his sister since the death of her husband.
    “You already know the answer, Serenity. Besides, we have a wonderful event to attend this evening.” Helen smiled widely, but it didn’t hide the concern in her eyes.  
    Getting ready for the ghastly event was a complicated affair. Hairpins and makeup. Undergarments and accessories. Literally hours of primping before everything was ready.  
    How I longed for simpler times when a dress was something you wore day to day and your best was only worn on Sundays and at weddings. One day a week was by far more agreeable, and that was only if I happened to be going to church. Though, I had to admit that my dress for the evening was beautiful.  
    The floor-length cocktail dress was one of my favourites. Its gentle lines and satin-smooth finish were both comfortable to wear and stunning to look at. The high, jewelled neckline was encrusted with emerald-coloured stones that matched the