The Castle Keepers


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 Contents
 
 Cover
 Title Page
 Contents
 Dedication
 The Truth Keepers
 Chapter 1
 Chapter 2
 Chapter 3
 Chapter 4
 Chapter 5
 Chapter 6
 Chapter 7
 Chapter 8
 Chapter 9
 Chapter 10
 Chapter 11
 Chapter 12
 Chapter 13
 Epilogue
 
 
 The Memory Keepers
 Epigraph
 
 Chapter 1
 Chapter 2
 Chapter 3
 Chapter 4
 Chapter 5
 Chapter 6
 Chapter 7
 Chapter 8
 Chapter 9
 Chapter 10
 Chapter 11
 Epilogue
 
 The Dream Keepers
 Epigraph
 Chapter 1
 Chapter 2
 Chapter 3
 Chapter 4
 Chapter 5
 Chapter 6
 Chapter 7
 Chapter 8
 Chapter 9
 Chapter 10
 Chapter 11
 Chapter 12
 Chapter 13
 Chapter 14
 Chapter 15
 Chapter 16
 Chapter 17
 
 
 Authors’ Notes
 Discussion Questions
 Acknowledgments
 About the Authors
 
 Also by the Authors
 Copyright
 
 
 
 
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 Dedication
 
 
 
 
 From Aimie K. Runyan
 
 To Rachel and J’nell for bringing this project to life with me while we were all locked away. Your friendship means more than
 I can express.
 
 
 
 
 
 From J’nell Ciesielski
 To Aimie and Rachel
 
 
 
 
 From Rachel McMillan
 To my friends and coauthors Aimie and J’nell. Getting to know you during the creation of this collection was a true joy. I
 look forward to many more written adventures to come.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 The Truth Keepers
 
 
 1870
 
 
 
 
 
 Chapter 1
 
 
 ~Rule No. 1~
 
 
 All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.
 —William Shakespeare
 
 
 New York City
 February 1870
 
 Beatrice examined her reflection in the mirror, and though she didn’t risk her mother’s ire by commenting on her own appearance,
 she knew she was ready to take the stage for one of the most important performances of her life.
 
 
 Daddy wore his best tailcoat with mercifully fewer complaints than usual. For this, Beatrice offered silent thanks. She didn’t
 need her father’s grumbling and her mother’s resultant henpecking to rile her nerves. Her sweet-natured father’s grousing
 was a way of flirting with Mama, but Beatrice found it exasperating when it happened at important moments.
 
 
 Tonight they would dine at the home of Caroline Astor. Mrs. William Backhouse Astor, the single most influential person in all of New York society. And Beatrice, if she ever wanted admittance to Mrs. Astor’s good graces, would have to be flawless. Her hope was that if she played the part well enough, she just might secure a proposal from Thomas Graham. 
 
 Thomas, who actually watched plays when he went to the theater rather than attending purely so he could be seen by those who
 mattered.
 
 
 Thomas, who was the only company that felt superior to the company of her beloved journal, a pen, and a roaring fire in her
 bedroom.
 
 
 Thomas, whose piercing gaze made her stomach wobble and her breath stop in her throat with the merest glance.
 
 Thomas, who had spent a great deal of social capital to secure this all-important invitation in hopes of advancing Beatrice
 and her family in society. Beatrice hoped it was so his parents could have no objection to their forming an attachment beyond
 seeing each other at social events and in the