Ah, yes! My sincere apologies, David. I'm concentrating on completing Book One in the series Keeper Of Secrets.

Here is the correct episode for this story:

New Year's Eve enveloped Trevelver Castle in a magical atmosphere, the ancient gears of the Clock Tower humming softly as they counted down the seconds to midnight. Lord Trevelver and Lady Penelope led Eli and Giles up the winding stone staircase, their path illuminated by the warm glow of red and gold lanterns, each housing a flickering candle.

"Mind your step", Lord Trevelver called back, his voice echoing against the cold, hard walls. "These old stairs can be tricky in the dark."

As they emerged onto the balcony, Elayne gasped. "Oh, it's breathtaking!" she exclaimed, taking in the snow-kissed landscape sparkling under the moonlight, the Castle lights twinkling like stars scattered across a velvet sky.

Lady Penelope smiled, her eyes twinkling. "It never gets old, does it, Charles?"

Her husband nodded, then gestured to a silver champagne bucket nestled in the corner of the balcony, four crystal flutes arranged neatly on a matching silver tray beside it. Nestled among the ice was a bottle of 1952 Dom Pérignon, a distinguished vintage that had mellowed to perfection over the past ten years, its effervescence mellowing into a sublime bouquet of almond, pear, and hints of citrus. "Now, let me show you a little trick I learned back in '45", he said, the mischievous glint in his blue eyes as he produced a cavalry sword from behind his back.

"Good heavens, Charles!" Lady Penelope exclaimed, though her tone was more amused than alarmed.

"Don't worry, my dear", Lord Charles chuckled. "A Cossack officer taught me this. It's perfectly safe... mostly."

With practised ease, he removed the foil and carefully untwisted the wire cage from the bottle, keeping his thumb firmly on the cork to prevent any premature popping. He then tilted the bottle to a 30-degree angle, pointing it away from his guests and over the balcony edge.

"Watch closely", he instructed, his voice tinged with excitement. "This technique is called sabrage, a dramatic way of opening champagne that dates back to the Napoleonic era."

Lord Trevelver ran his fingers along the bottle, finding the seam where the two halves were fused together. "This is the key", he explained, "the weakest part of the bottle".

Holding the base securely with one hand, he placed the blunt edge of the sword flat against the bottle, resting it precisely on the seam. "The bottle must be properly chilled", he added. "Around forty-five to forty-eight Fahrenheit, that is seven to nine degrees Celsius, is ideal. It reduces the risk of shattering and helps create a clean break."

With a flourish, he slid the sword smoothly along the seam toward the bottle's neck. In one swift, confident motion, he struck the lip, cleanly removing the top of the bottle with a satisfying 'pop'. The collar, still containing the cork, separated cleanly from the neck as champagne fizzed out.

Lord Charles quickly poured the bubbly liquid into the waiting glasses, taking care to pour gently to avoid any potential glass fragments.

"Bravo, sir!" Giles applauded, clearly impressed by the spectacle.

"Thank you, dear boy", Lord Trevelver beamed, raising his glass. "Remember, while it's a marvellous party trick, it's best left to those with experience. We wouldn't want to waste good champagne or risk any injuries, would we?"

Lady Trevelver, who had been watching the entire demonstration with a mixture of fondness and exasperation, finally spoke up. "I must say, Charles, your penchant for the dramatic never ceases to amaze me. Though I do wish you'd warn me before bringing out the cavalry sword at our gatherings. One of these days, you might give someone a heart attack with your antics."

Quote from: Chris in Prague on August 18, 2024, 06:26:03 PMAh, yes! My sincere apologies, David.

Not a problem Sir. Just call it a little 'hiccup'. (Probably all that champagne  ).

Quote from: dannyboy on August 18, 2024, 06:43:43 PM

Quote from: Chris in Prague on August 18, 2024, 06:26:03 PMAh, yes! My sincere apologies, David.

Not a problem Sir. Just call it a little 'hiccup'. (Probably all that champagne  ).

Thanks for your patience and understanding, David. This is the first part of the final scene.

As the clock struck midnight, the Castle erupted in joyous cheers and laughter. Lord Charles's booming voice could be heard over the din, "Happy New Year, everyone!"

The group clinked their glasses together, the successful sabrage adding an extra layer of excitement to their evening.

As the New Year bells began to chime, Lord Charles raised his glass high. "To new beginnings and forever afters!" he proclaimed, his voice ringing with warmth and optimism.

"To new beginnings", the others echoed, their glasses clinking harmoniously with the tolling of the bells.

In the soft glow of the lanterns, Giles turned to Eli, his expression a mixture of nervousness and love. "Eli, my darling", he began, his voice trembling slightly with emotion. He reached into his pocket and produced a small velvet box, its deep blue hue a stark contrast to the reflected lamp light surrounding them.

As he opened the box, Eli's breath caught in her throat. Nestled within was a ring of extraordinary beauty. The platinum setting gleamed softly, its intricate filigree work catching the light in delicate patterns. At its centre, a round-cut diamond of exceptional clarity sparkled brilliantly, securely held by elegant prongs.

"Giles, it's... it's absolutely stunning", Eli breathed, her bright blue eyes wide with wonder.

"Not as stunning as you", Giles replied softly, his gaze never leaving her face. He gently took the ring from its velvet nest, the lantern light dancing across its facets. "This engagement ring is more than just a beautiful piece of jewellery. It's a symbol of my love and commitment to you."

As he slipped the ring onto Eli's slender finger, he continued, his voice growing stronger with each word. "The central diamond represents the purity and strength of our love. The smaller diamonds on either side symbolise our past and our future, coming together in this perfect moment."

Eli's fingers trembled as she admired the ring. The slim band, crafted from eighteen-karat white gold, felt cool against her skin. Its subtle milgrain edge added a touch of vintage charm that perfectly complemented the overall design.

"Eli", Giles said, his voice filled with emotion, "you've captured my heart in a way I never thought possible. Will you do me the honour of sharing your life with me? Will you marry me?"

Tears glistened in Eli's eyes as she nodded, momentarily unable to speak. Finally, she whispered, "Yes, Giles. A thousand times, yes."

The world around them faded into a soft blur as they stood together, foreheads touching. Eli's fingers caressed the ring, feeling the weight of their love and the promise of a lifetime together. The lantern light caught on its facets, sending prismatic reflections dancing across their faces.

"I love you, Giles", she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

"And I love you, my dearest Eli", he replied, sealing their promise with a long, tender kiss.

As they parted, Giles took her hand in his, running his thumb over the ring. "There's an engraving inside", he said softly. "It says 'Christmas 1962' – the day our forever began."

And now, the final scene. Thank you to all my 22+ readers (you know who you are), but especially to David.

Lady Penelope, her eyes twinkling with delight, observed Giles and Eli across the balcony. She turned to her husband, her voice barely above a whisper, "Charles, my dear, I do believe we've just witnessed the start of something truly special. Theirs was a most difficult road to travel. My admiration for Giles' patience..."

Lord Trevelver, his arm comfortably draped around his wife's waist, followed her gaze. A warm smile played on his lips as he watched the two standing close, their hands touching on the balustrade. "Indeed, my dear", he murmured. "Giles has shown remarkable fortitude. And Eli... well, it seems she's finally found her own way."

Lady Penelope nodded, a soft sigh escaping her lips. "It's been quite the journey for both of them. But look at them now, Charles. The way they look at each other... it's as if the rest of the world has faded away."

Lord Trevelver chuckled softly, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Quite right, my love. It's heartening to see, isn't it?" He paused, then added with a mischievous glint in his eye, "Now, shall we have another toast to new beginnings? I believe I can manage one more bottle with this sword."

Lady Penelope shook her head in fond exasperation, a smile tugging at her lips. "Oh, Charles. You and that sword. But yes, I think a toast is in order. This holiday season has been quite the romantic whirlwind, hasn't it, despite the severe weather?"

"Or, perhaps, because of it?" Lord Trevelver responded with a knowing smile. "Huddling together for... warmth?"

As her husband reached for a new bottle of Dom Pérignon '52, Lady Penelope's gaze swept across the Castle Courtyard, taking in the other couples who had found love during this magical time at Trevelver Castle while Huw lit more of the celebratory fireworks. Her eyes sparkled with the joy of a successful matchmaker, ready to recount the blossoming romances she had subtly assisted.

Lady Penelope sipped the last of her champagne delicately, her eyes bright as she looked up at her husband. "My dear, shall we review the couples we've seen come together here?"

Lord Trevelver's eyes crinkled with amusement as he swirled the golden liquid in his glass. "Certainly, my love. Where should we start this delightful review?"

"How about Sophie and Riccardo?" Lady Penelope suggested, her brow furrowing slightly. "I think all of us, finally, helped them see reason about their... well..."

"Ill-fated romance?" Lord Trevelver offered, raising an eyebrow.

"Exactly", Lady Penelope nodded, her expression clearing. "I'm glad they've realised they're better off apart. It really is for the best."

Lord Trevelver's face grew serious as he agreed. "Indeed. They've been dispatched back to London on separate return flights of the relief supplies helicopters. A clean break, as it were." His expression softened as he continued, "But what of our very own Sylvia and Jeremy? There's something to celebrate!"

Lady Penelope's face lit up. "Indeed. Ten years together, and they're still going strong. It's quite heartening, isn't it? The way they look at each other, even now..."

"It is", Lord Trevelver concurred, his voice warm. "And then, there's Jenny Davies and Angela Evans."

Lady Penelope smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Yes, they're doing wonderfully, Charles. They seem very happy together." She leaned in conspiratorially, lowering her voice, "But, to turn to our very own Christmas couples, brought together here, have you noticed Amanda Morgan and Andy Tolverne?"

"Ah, yes", Lord Trevelver chuckled, his eyebrows rising. "It would be difficult not to! They're quite the lovebirds, aren't they?"

"They certainly are", Lady Penelope said, a hint of a blush colouring her cheeks. "They can hardly keep their hands off each other. Seeing such passion is endearing, though Amanda can be a tad too... exuberant in company."

Lord Trevelver cleared his throat, a mix of amusement and mild embarrassment on his face. "What about our other female guests from the Karadow and their new loves?" he inquired, deftly changing the subject.

Lady Penelope's eyes sparkled with delight as she gazed down at the courtyard below. "Suzi, Monique, and Belinda seem to have hit it off splendidly with Giles' comrades-in-arms - Jim Tremayne, Phil Courtenay, and Tom Carew. They all look very cosy together. Did you see them, below, each couple, heads bent close, whispering and laughing, sharing passionate New Year greetings?"

"Ah, yes", Lord Trevelver nodded, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. "Overall, I think we can safely say that it's been rather a successful matchmaking season, my dear?"

Lady Trevelver's voice softened, her expression growing thoughtful. "Indeed, though the 'Karadow' pairing off... Still, the Sisters continue to share such a strong bond. It's remarkable, really."

Lord Trevelver looked at his wife fondly, reaching out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "My dear Penny, this Christmas and New Year will certainly be one to remember."

"Indeed, it will", Lady Penelope agreed, her eyes shining as she raised her glass. "To love, in all its wonderful forms."

"To love", Lord Trevelver echoed, his voice rich with emotion as he clinked his glass against hers. They stood in comfortable silence, arms entwined, as they watched the joyous celebrations in the Castle Courtyard below.

And so, the Christmas and New Year at Trevelver Castle was a time of love, revelations, and promises—an unforgettable holiday that would be cherished for years to come, marking the beginning of new journeys filled with hope, love, and perhaps a few more unconventional champagne openings.

THE END

For those of you who have been following "An Eventful Christmas at Trevelver Castle", I am posting, as a 'taster', a draft of Chapter One of "Keeper Of Secrets" for feedback, on the forum, in Keeper of Secrets: Chapter 1: The Arrival.

I won't be posting the whole book. Book One in the series is just about finished, and Book Two is underway. Both incorporate not only the same characters as have been featured on the forum but also some of the stories. There is a railway element running through the books, (as in this chapter), but some scenes from the books are for Mature Audiences only and could not be posted in a family forum.

Quote from: Chris in Prague on August 20, 2024, 07:15:00 AMAnd now, the final scene.

Thank you for an excellent story Chris, which has unfolded over the last few months, (flippin' 'eck, has it really been going since January?). Your handling of the storyline and the descriptive prose is to be applauded.  . I am off to find "Keeper Of Secrets" now. 

Quote from: dannyboy on August 20, 2024, 12:05:57 PM

Quote from: Chris in Prague on August 20, 2024, 07:15:00 AMAnd now, the final scene.

Thank you for an excellent story Chris, which has unfolded over the last few months, (flippin' 'eck, has it really been going since January?). Your handling of the storyline and the descriptive prose is to be applauded.  . I am off to find "Keeper Of Secrets" now. 

Many thanks, David. You've been a great reader. I hope you will enjoy the first chapter of "Keeper Of Secrets". I will post it in (usually long) daily episodes.