Kitty nodded slowly, mesmerized by his eyes, her gaze anxiously scanning his face for something, but she knew not what. "I do not think you mad at all, sir, for I, too, am beset by emotions familiar, and yet quite unfamiliar to me. Still, I know in my heart that what you say is true, and I will gladly marry you."

He raised her hand to his mouth and kissed it lingeringly, the warmth of his lips filling her with a delicious heat. It was all so strangely right, she thought, losing herself in the depths of his wonderfully smoky gaze. For a sweet brief moment she saw this place as it had once been; the fireplaces blazing in the Great Hall below, colorful silken banners hanging from the rafters, the servants hurrying to and fro. Then as suddenly her vision cleared and he was smiling at her.

"Shall we join the others, my darling?" he asked her, and without waiting for an answer, he led her down the flight of wet stone steps from the ruined tower to join the others.

As they went, Kitty suddenly realized that she had been waiting all her eighteen years-no!-she had been waiting centuries for this tall, dark-haired stranger who was not really a stranger at all. They had been fated since time began to be together in this time and place. Yes! They would be married, although she knew that her aunt, in particular, would be most shocked. But she and Tom, Kitty knew, would have a marvel-ously happy life together. An instinct she had never even known she had assured her of that. For an instant she wondered if it were possible to expire of pure, sheer happiness. She had never believed such joy possible.

As they reached the bottom of the staircase she heard a bird cry above them, and looking up she saw a large, black raven soaring in the bright blue sky. Remember! Kitty heard the word as clearly as if someone had whispered it into her ear. Remember! Yes, she would indeed remember. How was it possible to ever forget this wonderful moment in time that had brought them together-reunited them, she was certain- once again; but deep within the very core of her being she knew that this time it would be Forever.

Authors Note

Reincarnation. A most controversial subject, yet many people and cultures believe in it. I have read it was even taught in the early Christian church. A practice quickly discontinued when it was realized that the early converts, simple people for the most part, were taking the attitude that they might be less than good in their current lives because they could always repent in the next incarnation.

That, of course, is not the purpose of reincarnation. It is believed we reincarnate in order to perfect our human souls, that we may in time aspire to a higher level of existence. If you accept the Christ it seems quite obvious, for who among us can believe we might attain in a single lifetime that which God incarnate, in the persona of Jesus of Nazareth, attained in his single lifetime? I leave it to the reader to decide. Faith is a deeply personal matter, which is as it should be.

The simple premise of A Moment in Time hinges on those single moments in time when we make decisions, some important, some not so, which affect us for our entire lives. Its ending is admittedly a very different one for a Historical Romance novel, but I like to think it offers the reader the reassurance of better things to come. I hope you have enjoyed this book as much as I have enjoyed writing it.

Next year Ballantine Books and I will bring you the sixth and final book in the O'Malley Saga. It is the tale of Yasaman Kama Begum, the lost daughter of Velvet de Marisco. It will, I promise, be a great deal of fun when Yasaman, rechristened Jasmine, arrives in England, and havoc ensues among the members of her loving, if somewhat surprised, family there. You'll meet several old friends, but don't assume anything, dear readers, because you know how very much I enjoy surprising you!


In the meantime I hope you will write to tell me how you enjoyed A Moment in Time. Until next year I remain your most faithful author,


Bertrice Small

P.O. Box 765

Southold. NY 11971

Bertrice Small

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