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A Dangerous Hero; Release Day for Noble Assassin!

Just in time for Valentine's Day!  A New Historical Romance Release from Lily Silver:

Hello everyone. I'm excited this weekend. It's Release Day for Noble Assassin, Book Four of my Reluctant Heroes Series!  As a Valentine's Treat, take a peek at an Excerpt below from the First Scene;




The Governess meets the Assassin!  Excerpt from Noble Assassin, Copyright Lily Silver 2016

The Island of Ravencrest, West Indies, 1808“Will you help me?” The lovely blonde woman sat before him at his desk, her blue eyes pleading and fearful. Ambrose was not a heartless man, but he was as yet unimpressed by her tale of woe. The glow of a candle flickered and danced before him, although it was only mid- afternoon. The storm outside made it necessary to light the candles to see. The tropical rainstorm brought an additional sense of gloom to the atmosphere as Miss Wallingford sketched out her story in the most obscure terms possible. The light of the flame was entrancing, a warm yellow golden glow that bathed his mind in calm. It was a trick he learned in the East Indies, to focus on the simplest thing to clear his mind of all the clutter that shadowed an issue and brought a thousand questions and concerns. The warmth of the flame could comfort. The heat could maim or kill. So it was with any object. It could be used for good or evil. The intent was purely in the one wielding the object in his hand. His childhood tutors trained him to see even everyday objects that appeared harmless as potential weapons at his disposal. “Mr. Duchamp, will you help me?” The whisper soft voice of his unexpected guest brought Ambrose back from his quiet contemplation of the flame. Miss Wallingford was quite fetching by candlelight. Her buttery blonde curls framed a face that could launch a thousand ships, if the legend of Helen of Troy were to be given life. She was an English woman with an English nose, a resolute English chin and prim, tight English lips. Pink lips, to be precise. Lips that needed kissing, but had likely never had the pleasure. Miss Wallingford was the governess at Ravencrest Plantation. He steepled his hands before him and studied the lovely woman who had come to the island plantation just eighteen months ago.  He studied her with ruthless silence, ignoring her plea. Why would such a lovely, intelligent woman require the lethal assistance of a man such as himself?  “I will think on it.” Her smooth English brow was pinched. She appeared offended by his reluctance to entangle himself in her private affairs. “I have no one else who can help me, sir. No one else to turn to.” “You might speak with his lordship,” Ambrose suggested.  Sharing her dilemma with their employer was an unpleasant option, but an option, nevertheless. “Count Rochembeau is a fair man. He has a soft spot for those trapped in unfortunate circumstances. He might offer a better solution than I could. A more civilized and honorable solution.” “His lordship would dismiss me and send me back to England.” Miss Wallingford sat up straight in the chair. “And they would find me easily if I were returned to English shores.” Ambrose sighed. He studied the candle again, seeking the serenity of the silent flame. He knew what happened when a target was located by a professional assassin. There could be a time of waiting to make the kill. If the assassin were smart, he would strike quickly and leave the area before someone noticed him and his cover were blown. Pretty Miss Wallingford was putting him in a very difficult situation by asking for his help with her would-be pursuers. Suppose she was involved in political intrigue?  His employer would not be pleased if Ambrose brought trouble to the serene island refuge where both he and the count had come to escape the horrors of France years ago. Count Rochembeau had finally found peace after his ordeal in the Bastille. The count found refuge in the arms of his beautiful wife and the bland domestic life they shared with their five children. He picked up an apple from the bowl on his desk and began peeling it with his favorite dagger. After twirling away the skin with ease, he sliced it into quarters and picked up a piece with the tip of his blade. He bit into the tasty fruit. He’d skipped lunch and he was famished. He picked up another piece with the tip of his blade, about to shove it into his mouth. She was watching him with fascinated horror. So, she’d heard the stories about him and his fondness for sharp instruments from the sailor’s wives. Tres bien. A fierce reputation was not a flaw but a weapon of the mind. A weapon he’d honed to full advantage.  “Pardon, mademoiselle,” he said in a flat tone devoid of true regret. “I have forgotten my manners. Would you care for a piece?” He extended his arm across the desk, holding the dagger out to her with a chunk of fruit impaled on the end. Her eyes told the tale. She was appalled by his casual savagery. End of Excerpt, Copyright Lily Silver, 2016
If you want a simmering, suspenseful historical romance with an unlikely hero set in the warm Caribbean, here is the link for the book on Amazon.com. Noble Assassin on Amazon.com

The beautiful side of Paradise; Setting of Noble Assassin

Paradise, yes, that's the word we conjure when we think of the Caribbean.

My newest novel is set in the Caribbean, near St. Kitts. It takes place in 1808, and so, it is set in the backdrop of The West Indies.

You've met the characters, Ambrose Duchammp and Juliet Wallingford in previous posts, and toured the landscape to view the creatures on the islands, specifically the more imposing creatures.  

Today I present another side, the more alluring side of the Caribbean, the romantic side, if you will.

Juliet is from England so to her, the island is a wonderful place unlike anything she's ever known.



Butterflies of every color and tropical blooms.


Hibiscus flower after a tropical shower
The landscape is dotted with exotic tropical flowers, such as hibiscus and bouginvilla creeping up the garden wall or along hedges. Bouginvilla can be white, pink, coral, red, or purple. Juliet sees it infringing everywhere.  When she goes to the port city to shop, Ambrose gifts her with pink orchids. Does he know it's her favorite color?   Who can resist the magic and beauty of the Caribbean landscape.
It's the perfect place to fall in love.  


Imagine the bright colored parrots flying about, landing on trees, greeting you with their sharp caws.




And imagine living in a land that is forever warm after spending your life in a damp, cooler climate such as England. The heat and humidity take some getting used to, but it's worth the discomfort. Every day, you can walk the beach if you wish, enjoy the sunshine and collect sea shells.  Imagine taking a carriage ride at night with your sweetheart, and making love on the beach, beneath a canopy of stars.


So, if you are looking to get away from winter this February, slip into the romance of the Caribbean with a historical romance set near St. Kitts.  Noble Assassin will be released this weekend.

Tomorrow, on release day, I'm posting an excerpt from the first scene of the book.  
Happy Valentine's Day!

Jane Eyre in the West Indies: Meet Juliet, Heroine in Noble Assassin

Juliet, Governess and Dreamer
It takes guts to pack up your few belongings and flee to a strange land. It takes a lot of courage to sail across the ocean in 1807 and take a job as a governess in order to hide from a man stalking you. Juliet Wallingford does not consider herself a heroine. In her own mind, she's not a brave soul. She's a bastard child of a nobleman who has not even met her father. When her mother died, she was taken to a school for girls, and spent her childhood there as a ward to a mysterious benefactor. Once she reached an age of adulthood, her father stopped paying for her lodgings. She had the choice of going out on her own to support herself, or staying at the school as a teacher to earn her keep. She chose the latter, with very bland results. A boring day job in an institution where she lived and ate as well as taught, a place where she has about as much chance of meeting a potential husband as meeting the Emperor of France. 
She answers an ad for a governess and goes to a remote estate on the Yorkshire moors. A little like Jane Eyre, but with disastrous results. There is no Mr. Rochester waiting for her there, only a wicked man who preys upon her innocence, and has done so with former governesses coming to his home to fill the position. 
hibiscus flowers from West IndiesAfter fending off his attack, Juliet plucks up her courage and flees to the Indies. She finds her new position most favorable as the family is loving and kind, to their children and to their staff. She's content. Sort of.  She's also dreamed of having her own home, her own children to fuss over and a husband to share her life with.  She had a slight crush on the sea captain who brought her to the Indies, as he was attentive and kind to her, asking her to join him for dinner in his cabin each night with his senior officers, and generally giving her an idea of what a true gentleman behaves like. She daydreams about marrying the captain, of joining him on his adventures at sea. It's a sweet dream for a lonely governess with no family or home of her own.  Not your typical Mr. RochesterOur Jane Eyre doesn't know that Mr. Rochester is waiting for her in the Indies: Mr. Duchamp is blissfully unaware that his life is empty and lonely without her.  He's an intimidating, dangerous man, rumored to be a killer. He'll teach her the art of self protection, instruct her in how to use a dagger, tease her, make sport of her, and offer a pretend courtship to protect her reputation while engaged in said lessons--something she finds insulting and humiliating but must play along out of fear her employers will let her go if they know the truth, that she's a fugitive from English shores. Her penchant for dreaming of that knight in shining armor sweeping her away arises again, and she can't help but wonder what it would be like to be Mr. Duchamp's Bride. The only problem is, he's not in love with her, he's just pretending, she believes. 
Juliet is tortured by the future, when the pretense is finished and she's left alone again, embarrassed to have not truly captured Mr. Duchamp's attentions. He's a hard man, with his heart locked away in a steel box.  How could she ever hope to inspire a true affection in him? She might be surprised to learn she's not the drab little mouse she believes herself to be. Not in Mr. Duchamp's mind. But . . . that's not the whole story. It's her story, her perceptions in the matter.  Juliet is forced to trust him as her enemy closes in. Will her heart survive intact?   Available for Sale Feb. 12th, 2015

Monkeys, Sharks and Snakes, Oh My! Creatures of Noble Assassin

Copyright: violin / 123RF Stock Photo

Noble Assassin is set in the Caribbean, so naturally, we think of sunsets, bright flowers, sandy beaches and benign surroundings.

The story is set on an imaginary island near St. Kitts. So, yes, there are sandy beaches, and tropical flowers, brilliant sunsets, and . . . snakes.



Copyright: byrdyak / 123RF Stock Photo

The hero of our story, Ambrose, has a cottage on the edge of the sea. Behind the cottage is jungle brush and a large, long lagoon.  He has pets in his backyard paradise.  There is a group of Vertvet Monkeys, or Green Monkeys as they are often called. Ambrose, our bad guy hero, has trained one among them to come when he calls. Titus Andronicus  (Shakespeare, a dark story full of nasty murders) is the name our noble assassin has given his pet. Titus will sit on his shoulder and let him feed him by hand. Meet Titus


Copyright: mattiaath / 123RF Stock Photo



The tropical landscape is beautiful of course, with vibrant blooms and green jungle foliage. There are parrots, and butterflies, lizards, and snakes. Tarantula's also live here, but don't make too much of a showing in our story.  The nine year old twin boys in the story like to play with small lizards. Well, boys will be boys, after all.

Copyright: magphoto / 123RF Stock Photo
Ambrose also has pets in his backyard lagoon. Two tiger sharks swam in one day, infant sharks that slipped through the coral barrier. Ambrose kept feeding them, and made a barrier so they could not escape. The lagoon is fed fresh ocean water with the tides. He's named his two pet sharks, now nearly fully grown, Louis and Maria, after the French King and his queen who were executed by guillotine during the French Revolution. He's showing his sentimental side in the choice of names.



Copyright: kiankhoon / 123RF Stock Photo

These darlings are more than pets, they also provide backyard surveillance so that he's not attacked in the night by enemies trying to land in the lagoon. And land they do! Crunch, Crunch.

His monkey tribe also serves as an alarm system, as they screech warning whenever intruders enter their backyard habitat.  Ambrose is adept at using the tools at hand as weapons or defense mechanisms, you see.


Copyright: nirut123rf / 123RF Stock Photo
Other creatures on the island that make an appearance in the book are jungle snakes.  Yes, snakes play an integral part of the rescue event at the end of the story. Couldn't resist as my Gothic side kicks in. Dark Hero, the first book in the series is a Gothic Romance set in the Caribbean. Noble Assassin also has Gothic elements, such as a brooding hero, a woman in danger, an isolated estate and a sometimes forbidding atmosphere.


Most of the snakes on the island of St. Kitts and the mirror island of Ravencrest are not poisonous. However, with any rule there is always an exception. But, consider this; if you were confronted with a room with writhing snakes on the floor, would you want to take your chances by walking thru them?

Make no mistake, Noble Assassin is a historical ROMANCE. But it has some suspenseful elements, and a paranormal twist, as most of my romances do. You can pick up a copy this week, just in time for Valentine's Day.  Escape to the Caribbean this winter and enjoy a romantic adventure with Ambrose and Juliet.

Meet Ambrose; Assassin turned Hero

He likes sharp and pointy things!Writing an assassin as a hero took some work. Ambrose Duchamp cameoed in my first published novel, Dark Hero, as a support character. He frightened the heroine back then, and most of the crew of the hero's ship. He was known as a ruthless sort, the one guy you didn't want to piss off. He spent his time on deck playing with his dagger, showing off his skills to make his mark. This time, he's the hero in the romance. Meet Ambrose Duchamp, former royal assassin, retired pirate, all around bad boy when it comes to crossed swords.  He likes sharp and pointy things, and is remembered from Dark Hero as the man with the sharp dagger at the ready. 
Ambrose escaped France at the start of the Revolution in 1798. After some wild and quite violent adventures in the East Indies as a pirate, he's contentedly spending his days in paradise, given the job of overseeing Ravencrest plantation as the steward for his long time friend. He likes the quiet life, and living on an obscure island plantation in the West Indies. He has a dark past and a heart crushing secret that makes him loathe himself. He's mystified when his housekeeper, Mrs. Fitz, says she worries about him. He hates himself so can't fathom that others would care for him. He believes he does not deserve to be loved. When his friend warns him that Aphrodite will find him regardless of where he hides, and will bring his true love across his path, he scoffs at the idea. 

Juliet, a romantic dreamer

And then, fate knocks on his door in the form of a pretty but shy governess named Juliet. She's the opposite of him, soft, kind, tenderhearted, and naive. She's in danger. She has left England to hide in the Indies. She's asking him to to take an interest in her problems, without telling him the true reason for her flight from England. Should he help her? Why? What has she done that is so horrible that a nobleman would send men on a six week journey to the Indies to find her?  She's hiding something very dark and disturbing and refuses to give him the particulars. She just wants him to protect her without giving him a good reason why she's being stalked by a vile man.

Ambrose is the man to handle a dangerous mission. Dark is his middle name. We're talking about a man who was trained from childhood on a thousand ways to kill and then steal away in the night. A man who keeps sharks in his back yard lagoon as a security measure. Miss Juliet has sought out his valuable services and his honor will not allow him to walk away from a woman in jeopardy. But will his heart survive?  
Available Feb. 12th 2016

A tribute to Alan Rickman: AKA Colonel Brandon, the unsung hero in Jane Austen's Classic

Alan Rickman as Colonel Brandon in 1995 Sense & Sensibility
When I heard that Alan Rickman died a few weeks ago, my response was to watch Sense and Sensibility, the 1995 version where he plays a Regency Hero with finesse.

Sometimes a hero is unsung, unnoticed by the crowd. Sometimes, he slips away at the end of a book, overshadowed by another man with more flash and appeal.

This seems to be the case with Colonel Brandon, the gallant hero in Sense and Sensibility. He's there, in the background, waiting to rescue a lady.  That lady is young, full of silly ideas about love, and about what makes a romantic hero.

I'm talking about Marianne Dashwood, of course. She's fancied herself in love with Mr. Willoughby. But Mr. Willoughby, a young, handsome and dashing man, is a terrible rake. She is obsessed with him, and disdains the noble hero waiting in the wings, our beloved Colonel Brandon.


As you might guess, our noble hero endures. He is taken with Marianne: her youth, her exuberance, her energy, as it reminds the Colonel of a lost love from his past.

As Marianne allows danger to court her, and takes risks based on her emotions, he watches her, and admires her while her older sister, Eleanor chides her for her actions. Eleanor, if you are familiar with the story, is the sensible sister, stoic and realistic, where Marianne is sensitive to her passions and does not apologize for her actions. She sees Eleanor as a prude.

Colonel Brandon first meets Marianne Dashwood at a friend's house. He walks into the room (in the movie) when Marianne is playing the piano and singing, and he is entranced.

Colonel Brandon's noble behavior is contrasted by that of Mr. Willoughby. Willoughby leads Marianne on, giving her the impression that he plans to marry her. Even her family is fooled by his 'devotion'.  Eventually, the need for money overshadows his feelings for poor, penniless Marianne. He becomes engaged to a woman who can support him.

Marianne is crushed. Her heart is broken. My favorite scene in the whole movie is the one where Colonel Brandon goes out searching for her, and brings her in from the storm, bearing her in his arms. He still cares for her, even after she's been rude to him and pushed him off. His love for her endures.  And this wonderful man is portrayed by Alan Rickman in the 1995 movie, with Kate Winslet playing the lovely and impetuous seventeen year old Marianne.

Okay, if your heart doesn't increase at the thought of Colonel Brandon and his quiet devotion, wait, there is more!


After Marianne is snubbed and hurt by Mr. Willoughby, Brandon agrees to take the sisters home from London. They stop at a friend's mansion to spend a day or so before continuing the journey (where the famous scene of his rescue takes place). Marianne learns she can see Willoughby's manor house from the estate she's staying on, and goes for a walk. She doesn't return for hours, and a storm sets in. Brandon goes off to find her and carries her home.  After her despondent wandering in the cold rain, Marianne takes ill. She's in serious danger, and our hero, Colonel Brandon, is beside himself with emotion.  He wants to do something to help. He needs to do something.

So he goes to Eleanor, gripping the doorknob behind him as he begs her in a serious mien
"Give me a vocation (task) or I shall run mad!"  Can you imagine Allen Rickman's deep British voice saying that?  Gives one shivers, it does.
Colonel Brandon begging for a task while Marianne is ill. 
Eleanor sends him to her mother, feeling that Marianne will rest better during her fit of fever if her mother is present. The Colonel speeds to their home on his noble steed, and brings mama to the house by dawn the next day. Fortunately for him, after a hellish night where the doctor is uncertain the girl will live, Marianne pulls through and the fever abates. Her mother comes rushing to her side, and our dear Colonel lurks at the door, peeping in at his beloved Marianne.

Finally...... Finally! Marianne notices him, and the efforts he has made on her behalf. 

And it gets even better. Once she is home but still recovering from the dangerous fever that nearly took her life, Brandon sits by her side and reads to her. Such devotion. And now that Marianne has grown up a little after her misadventures with Willoughby, she appreciates the attentions of an honest and honorable suitor, despite their age difference.

Brandon (Rickman) is an enchantingly noble hero! To sum up the rest of the story, he leaves her for a short time to go to London. And buys her a Broadwood piano small enough to fit her mother's small parlor.   Needless to say, this handsome, mature, and noble hero gets his happily ever after in the end.

Yes, I know when the 1995 Sense and Sensibility was released, everyone was swooning over Hugh Grant as Mr. Edward Ferrars and Greg Wiese as Mr. Willoughby.  If you look at the cover of the video or movie poster, you see Hugh Grant, Kate Winslet and Emma Thompson. Alan Rickman isn't even given a place on the cover, even though his character's noble actions play an important part of the plot of the story. It's a shame!

Granted, Hugh is hot, but, his character for the part is weak, and walks about rather confused by circumstances and is ordered about too much by his mother and elder sister. Hot but sort of a wimp, sorry to say. Edward takes no action to rectify his situation, he lets others do things for him.  Rickman's character, on the other hand, Colonel Brandon, is strong man, a wealthy gentleman and a former officer of the Army. His actions--yes--actions to care for and protect those he loves are those of a true hero.  

I salute Colonel Brandon, created by Jane Austen, and the wonderful actor Alan Rickman who first brought him to life for me in a movie.

It's clear that Rickman's most popular and most remembered role is Professor Snape in Harry Potter, and he did an amazing job in those movies. However, in my heart, I will always remember this talented, smooth, handsome British actor as Colonel Brandon, the unsung hero in Jane Austen's novel

A Tale of Three Suitors: Far from the Maddening Crowd

To start the New Year's New blog Posts, I wanted to give a Timeless Lovers's salute to a movie, and an old classic book I just discovered. This past weekend I watched an incredible romance movie, one that is also a 'costume drama' that delighted both myself and my spouse. It was in theaters May of 2014, and is now out in DVD.

We didn't feel the story was too long or too slow. We didn't want it to end. In comparison, we watched the recent incarnation of Madame Bovary, and were so bored we turned it off nearly at the halfway point, so that just goes to show that every remake of a classic movie doesn't succeed.

Far from the Maddening Crowd is a novel written by Thomas Hardy and published in 1874. The story is set in Victorian England, a contemporary novel at the time it was written. It takes place in the lovely English countryside of Dorset.

Our heroine, Miss Bathsheba Everdene (yes, Bathsheba!) lives with her aunt and works the farm.
She is a headstrong, independent woman who really isn't searching for a husband. She is made an offer of marriage by a neighboring farmer, a young, virile and handsome Gabriel Oak. Funny thing about the last name, as he ends up being as solid and reliable as an oak tree in the course the story.

She turns him down, because, well, she doesn't love him.
And she doesn't wish to be a farmer's wife.

Mr Gabriel Oak, a handsome and reliable manGabriel Oak's fortunes turn bleak in one night. He's been training a sheepdog named George who is not as well behaved as a dog should be that has the singular responsibility of herding and guarding sheep. As Gabriel awakens in the night after hearing a noise, he finds the sheep pen open and the sheep are gone. His older dog, retired, leads him up to the cliffs where he discovers the younger dog has herded his entire flock off the cliffs.

He's ruined, and must leave the farm he's been renting and hoping to buy after the sheep shearing.

Meanwhile, after turning Mr. Oak's proposal down before his personal disaster,  plucky Bathsheba gets news of an inheritance. Her uncle has left her his farm in his will. She's thrilled, and packs right away to go claim her inheritance.

When she arrives at the farm, she is presented with a terrible situation. A fire nearly destroyed the barn, as a cart piled with hay near the edifice caught fire. A stranger happened upon the farm looking for shelter and work sometime in the prior night, and rallied to help the farm hands laboring to extinguish the fire. This bold stranger heroically climbs the roof of the barn to stamp out the flames on several of the shingles. Guess who this brave man turns out to be . . . Gabriel Oak.

Homeless and penniless, he's been wandering the countryside looking for work. In the movie version, Bathsheba arrives the morning after the fire and meets her rejected suitor. Since he helped save her barn, she hires him on as the master of the sheep.

But now, she's his boss, so there is tension between them.

Mr. Boltwood, an older, mature suitor who is kindAlong comes the second suitor, a neighboring landowner, Mr. Boltwood (played wonderfully by Michael Sheen). He is a mature man, a shy, introverted, but he is much more cultured and prosperous than our heroine. At first meeting, he snubs his nose at Bathsheba as he discovers her working on her land. She's shooting birds that are eating a harvest, so she appears somewhat bold for a woman as she greets him holding a loaded rifle.  Mr. Boltwood is one of those 'gentlemen farmers' you see. He doesn't actually work on his farm, he has hirelings for that. He's a man of leisure.

As time goes on, he's taken with our heroine. Carey Mulligan plays Bathsheba and does a superb performance in the leading role. (She was also in The Great Gatsby as Daisy). Bathsheba is bold, unconventional and independent for a woman far ahead of her times. The scene with her shooting birds with a rifle, coupled with her refusal of Mr. Oak's offer and a clip of her riding hard across the countryside astride a horse tell us she is not your typical Victorian beauty.

Like the first suitor, he proposes to Bathsheba. His proposal is different, in that he keeps saying he wants to provide for her and protect her all her days. In other words, he wants to put her in a box or on a high pedestal. He even suggests she might still run her own farm, as sort of a hobby. He offers her a huge manor house, fully staffed, money, fancy clothing, jewels . . . . it's like a dream come true.

Except Bathsheba is not a woman to be bought by the promise of pretty things and a life of ease. Suitor number one, Mr. Oaks, wanted her to be his wife and help him run his farm. Mr. Boltwood wants her to be his cherished doll to pretty up his mansion. She wants neither option. She would rather be tamed by a man, implying that these two are no match for her bold temperament. Well, she does have a point with Mr. Boltwood. He appears to be quite the Milquetoast fellow. Dithering and blundering about.

Sergeant Frank Troy, a bit riskier, but dashing all the same
Be careful what you wish for, Bathsheba!  Enter suitor number three, Frank Troy. He's a soldier who is at present not working. He comes in, all bold and dangerous, dashing in his regimental uniform and brandishing his sword. He appears to be everything she hoped for. She marries him impulsively, and soon learns her mistake. Our dashing hero is a drunk and a gambler. Their marriage is based solely on passion, and great sex. As the passion wanes, things sour. He starts berating her, threatening her, and her two prior suitors are both appalled and worried about her. Abuse is hinted at in the movie.

There are numerous plot twists I won't go into. Sergeant Troy has secrets, one being a woman he truly loves who carries his child. Bathsheba sees them together at the fair, and questions her husband about the woman. She is told by the cruel man that that woman is the woman he truly loves, and that she (Bathsheba) means nothing to him. The woman dies, and he goes off into a funk. We see him strip off his clothing and swim out to sea. He drowns.

Bathsheba is sad but also relieved to be free of him at last. Mr. Boltwood resumes his courtship, and now she is considering his hand in marriage. A good pushover in a man might be refreshing after what she's come through with her choice of a spouse. Things are complicated quickly. Mr. Oak is now interested her hand again. (He loves her and never really stopped pining for her throughout the storyline, but he works for her, so he is beneath her socially).  So she has the choice of Boltwood or Oak. But then Sergeant Troy turns up alive, and angry. He tries to force her to go with him, tearing her away from Mr. Boltwood's magnificent Christmas Eve house party. Troy strikes her and grabs her arm, dragging her away. And Mr. Boltwood surprises everyone . . . . turning from a mouse into a fierce lion as he sees the woman he loves being mistreated by her returned from the dead husband.

I won't reveal the ending, and spoil your enjoyment of the movie. But I will tell you that our heroine, Bathsheba, faces an emotional choice this time, and it will surprise you.

Note: I have not read the book. It is classic English literature, but somehow I missed that one. I plan to read it. The book is much longer than the movie. The directors said that if they tried to follow every thread in the book, that it would be a six hour miniseries, not a two hour movie. I enjoyed this new discovery more than I can express. This movie will go on my desert island keeper shelf, one to watch and fall in love with again and again.

In the movie, the love story with three suitors after the same woman, each one equally appealing in their own way, is incredibly romantic. The landscape where the film was shot is gorgeous, in Dorset where the story was originally set when Hardy wrote it. So, the mix of a good, suspenseful romance, the charm of country love in Victorian England, and the lovely costumes and setting make this a bewitching combination.





I highly recommend this film to those who love such period pieces as Jane Austen. You will be mesmerized by this lush romantic film.

Enjoy a sneak peek with the trailer below:
Far From the Maddening Crowd Movie Trailer

Update on Books that Celebrate Paris Fundraiser

Update on our Paris Fundraiser after the November Terrorist Attacks. Today was the deadline for our book sales to be counted and the donations made from proceeds of the sales of our Paris themed books.  If you are curious, bleow is the link to the main landing page of our Fundraiser and the list of authors participating. I'd http://www.avamiles.com/books-that-celebrate-paris/I am pleased to say that I donated $50 to the French Red Cross this afternoon from sales of Some Enchanted Dream. Thank you to all who participated in this fundraiser by buying my book or one of the seven other author's featured books. It was a huge success and we each made our donations separately to th FRC.   My featured book in th fundrasier




Best wishes for a Happy and Safe New Year! Lily Silver

A Peek into 2016: Excerpt from Noble Assassin

Hello everyone. I hope your Christmas was merry and your dreams were somewhat fulfilled. I received some wonderful gifts from my family, mainly my spouse who knows me well. And here is a gift to you, a sneak peek at my latest work that will be published in early February, Noble Assassin, Reluctant Heroes Book FourIt's the story of a former assassin, Ambrose Duchamp, and a lonely governess, Juliet Wallingford.  Both have left their homes in Europe and reside at Ravencrest Plantation in the West Indies. Both feel love has passed them by. Juliet is hiding from someone in England, but we'll not worry about that in this excerpt. As they enjoy dinner with their benefactors, the Count and Countess du Rochembeau, the suggestion of Aphrodite finding them is just too difficult for either of them to believe. And yet, as the count and countess share their love story and the unique circumstance of their meeting--against all odds, hope is kindled anew. 
Huge Thank You to Graphic Artist Kim Killion for this cover

This Excerpt is the complete Chapter Four of Noble Assassin, copyright Lily Silver.         Juliet wiped her moist hands on her skirt beneath the tablecloth so no one could observe her anxious movements. She swallowed hard, and reached for the goblet of water before her. The slight shake of her wrist might give her away, if one were measuring her closely.       And he was doing just that. Dark brown, nearly black eyes followed her movements as she lifted the goblet to her lips. His lips were pursed pensively as if he'd never observed an Englishwoman sipping a goblet of water before.      The count had been speaking softly to his wife. Lady Elizabeth answered with a lilting, almost sensual voice.      It seemed they were teasing each other over some private joke known only to them.     Mr. Duchamp was seated directly across from Juliet. It was unnerving. He wasn't speaking much. He was just watching her like a hawk staring down a mouse.     Oh dear, that would never do. She wasn't a mouse and she would not let that image pollute her thoughts and make her feel weak and vulnerable.      I am a sleek feline, a proud tigress, not a shivering rabbit. I am a cat, not a mouse.     And yet, she was sitting next to the most beautiful woman she had beheld in recent times.     Juliet swallowed again, fearing her throat had taken on the attributes of a desert. Compared to the vibrant Lady Elizabeth Beaumont with her brilliant red hair and exotic sea green eyes, Juliet might as well be a drab little grey mouse.     She had dressed carefully for this first dinner with her benefactors. She chose a pale shell pink muslin gown with gold and beige cording along the sleeves, the neckline, and flounces of gold lace on the edge of the hem. It was her best gown, purchased here with funds from the countess when the woman realized she had clothing suitable for England's climate and not the tropics. It was such light material Juliet felt as if she were floating on a cloud when she first tried it on. It complimented her blond complexion, she believed. She'd even put a matching band of gold cording around her hair. She felt pretty it in while gazing at her reflection in her room.     Now she realized the bland pastel pink must make her look even more washed out as she sat beside the beautiful countess. Her ladyship was wearing a dazzling gown of deep emerald silk, a perfect color to highlight her vibrant hair, unusual eyes and alabaster complexion.              The count took up the head seat at the table. The odd arrangement struck her anew, as she'd not dined with the family for some months. Lady Elizabeth was seated next to her spouse, on his left instead of the opposite end of the table, as was the expected place for the mistress of the mansion.          Juliet glanced at the couple. They did seem devoted to one another. They spoke with a lightness and openness to each other that seemed startlingly odd at first, and then refreshing once you overcame the shock. Most of the nobles were stiff and aloof, being more concerned with keeping up appearances even with their spouses. The countess was not like other women of her class. She had natural warmth and did not try to stifle it for the sake of English etiquette.          
    It was obvious to any observer that the count adored his younger wife. He smiled when he looked at her--and the man almost never smiled that she could recall. That tender smile and those adoring blue eyes would make any woman ready to swoon. The count had reached his middle years, being just shy of forty. His hair had streaks of silver running through it. It did not diminish his attractiveness, but rather enhanced it. He sat poised on the edge of his seat and was giving his wife a sweet look as he listened to her talk about something their little girl said today.      Juliet pulled her gaze from the pair and met the gaze of the man opposite her. 

Such dark eyes, deep pools of mystery. He was staring at her openly again. Or had he been staring all along? As she returned his unrelenting look, the side of his mouth twitched up in a sinister smirk. A queer tingling in her chest made her place a hand there momentarily. She had never 'tingled' before over a man's deliberate look. And yet, if truth be told, there were not that many such looks to react to in her life.      "The humidity is increasing," Mr. Duchamp said in that intoxicating French accent as he watched her hand retreat from her bosom and drop to her lap. "It is always more pronounced after the cooling rains have ceased."    Juliet felt the color rise in her cheeks. Did he think it proper to draw attention to her discomfort? The cad. She glared at him, not grateful in the least for his comment. A gentleman should never remark on a lady's condition in polite company.    But then, he wasn't a gentleman, was he?    "You speak the truth," Lady Elizabeth agreed, startling Juliet momentarily as she feared she'd spoken her thoughts aloud. The countess signaled to the footman in the corner to start the large fan above their table moving with the paddle.     A rush of breeze cooled Juliet's face. She sighed slightly, relieved to feel the gentle caress of moving air. Her skin had a moist sheen. She resisted the urge to dab at her neck and face with her napkin.     Perhaps cad was a strong word after all. She shot a quick glance in Duchamp's direction. He lifted his water glass to her in a silent salute, and then took a sip with those full, sensual lips. Juliet watched the movement of his Adam's apple as he swallowed, mesmerized by the masculine action.     Oh, dear. This would never do. She must not allow her sensibilities to be clouded by a pair of strong, tan hands or an intriguing pair of deep, dark eyes. She could not allow herself the luxury of an entanglement. She could not lose her situation here. She had no place to go if they turned her out.     The third course had been removed. A light course of dessert cakes and fruits were being served.     “I have the most wonderful news. You'll never guess it!” The countess's light voice buoyed the atmosphere in the room as the men focused their attentions upon her.     Juliet felt her lips curve into a smile. Yes, the news of Chloe and the captain. That should take the attention off her and her heated skin that must be shimmering in the candlelight. Her complexion would also be mottled due to the heat. Her hair had been upswept into a neat coil on her head, but it felt limp and clammy. The humidity rising, as Duchamp had said. Her anxiety on this first evening dining as her ladyship's favored guest was making her perspire more than usual. And having the man across the table bring attention to her discomfort only unnerved her more. Jack & Chloe's Story“Our dear Chloe has had quite the adventure in Spain,” Lady Elizabeth sang out in a pleasing voice. The men eyed her carefully. “I received a letter today from London.” She clapped her ungloved alabaster hands together with glee at the last.    Juliet was grateful the countess's relaxed dress code for dinner, as gloves in this sultry climate would be sheer torture. Light muslins and sheer cotton was de rigor in the tropics for most women. How her ladyship could endure the silk she was wearing tonight was a puzzle.
    “I had a letter from Jack, my sweet,” the count said. “I haven't opened it as yet, do go on.”     Juliet was puzzled by the count's behavior. He was being solicitous and attentive to his wife, more so than seemed proper. He took her hand and gazed at her with tenderness. It was sweet. It was also a painful reminder of her own status in the world; utterly alone with no family and few friends.    Lady Elizabeth paused dramatically and gazed around the table at her audience. She gave Juliet a generous smile and then turned to regard her spouse once more. "They arrived in Spain only to find that her uncle was not at his home in Cadiz. Jack advised her to stay in Cadiz and wait for her Uncle Miguel to return. And she refused to do so. Chloe was determined to go into the interior to meet him at his almond plantation.”    “That was foolish,” Mr. Duchamp sighed and took a sip of his wine. “Dangerous. I hope he made her stay in Cadiz, my lady.” He was talking, taking an interest in the conversation, which was not his usual behavior at table, or so the footmen said in the servant’s hall. Duchamp was a quiet man, and a dangerous man. He made most people uncomfortable. The countess did not seem to be intimidated at all by Mr. Duchamp and his dark aura of menace.   Lady Elizabeth gave a little huff of indignation. “I beg to differ, Mr. Duchamp. Chloe is a grown woman, capable of making prudent, intelligent decisions. She does not need a man to tell her what to do. Miss Wollstonecraft says—“   “Lizzie, my sweet,” the count interrupted his wife, "can we skip the lessons from Miss Wollstonecraft this once and move on with Chloe's adventures?” His voice was strained, having an edge of impatience to it, yet he smiled at his darling with true affection.     Juliet felt a little thrill. Lady Elizabeth was a bluestocking, and she was quite the staunch supporter of the late authoress who had written a treatise advocating equal rights for women. She suppressed a giggle as she didn't wish to offend the count or his lady with her amusement.     “I suppose, just this once,” Lady Elizabeth's voice had become hard as she replied to her spouse. “But if I were to go into a battlefield, would you physically prevent me from doing so because I am a woman?"     The count did not respond. He appeared to be choosing his words wisely. This must be the start of one of those stimulating debates Chloe always spoke about with fondness. Juliet's heartbeat increased. She held her breath, waiting to hear his reply. She hoped this would not turn into a nasty argument. For all her sweetness, Lady Elizabeth was reputed to have a temper and his lordship--well, no one crossed words with him and came out the victor. She shot quick glance at Duchamp. He was gazing down at his fingers as they outlined the stem of his water goblet. He, too, looked uncomfortable. His eyes lifted, and caught hers. He grinned.

    Juliet’s insides did a queer little twist in response. Oh dear. Why does this man affect me so?     "My lady, if I may be so bold," Duchamp began. "It is not a matter of what a woman is permitted to do, but rather, if I may, what a man would do to protect his beloved."         
   "Yes," the count agreed with an unnatural exuberance. "Thank you, Ambrose, you've helped me clarify my thoughts. Lizzie, dearest, if you were about to walk into a battlefield, I would run after you, pounce upon you and push you to the ground in the hope that the cannons firing would take my head off instead of yours. That's love, my darling, it isn't prejudice."    Juliet felt her eyes widen as she gazed his lordship with awe. He diffused the situation, turned his response into an act of love and sacrifice and managed not to offend his lady in doing so.    “And,” Duchamp's lush French voice added in the silence, “if the situation were reversed, I am confident you would do the very same to protect his lordship. Now, please tell me how our Mrs. O'Donovan fared in Spain. Did she find her father's family?”    Lady Elizabeth was silent for a full minute, perhaps two.     “Were they accosted by soldiers? I have read that the French are pressing Spain hard due to a question of their continued allegience,” his lordship prodded.     “And you told me earlier, my lady, that they were forced to flee Spain.” Juliet tried to aid the men in soothing her ladyship's ruffled feathers so they might hear the rest of the story. Much as she might enjoy a debate on the subject of women’s rights, tonight she just wanted to get through this tense first dinner without offending either the lord or lady of the manor. Goya's painting depicting French troops in Spain, 1808  “Yes, they searched the southwestern portion of Spain for her Uncle Miguel. They traveled through a forest, were set upon by Spanish highwaymen and they lost one guard to a stray bullet. Jack hurried them through that dangerous place and set them up at a monastery for the night. Chloe found it most uncomfortable as the monks treated her and her maid as if they were harlots accompanying the men on their journey.”

   “Who did they lose?” Duchamp asked. “Not Jinx or Lt. Morgan?”    “No, thank goodness,” Her ladyship was quick to soothe him. “It was a Spaniard they hired to ride atop the coach as an armed guard. Chloe was greatly troubled that they were not able to bury the man properly, but had to flee immediately to save their own lives.”      Juliet hadn't met either men Duchamp mentioned, but assumed they were members of Captain Rawlings crew. “Mrs. O'Donovan must have been horrified by such an experience.”    “Yes.” Lady Elizabeth signaled for the footmen to remove their plates and begin serving a special dessert she'd had prepared to celebrate news of Chloe’s nuptials; English Trifle. The cake slices were mixed with local fruits--pineapple, mango, guava--and clotted cream. Once the footmen began placing their portions before them, their hostess continued her tale.    Lady Elizabeth spoke of other incidents bedeviling the couple in Spain, giving a detailed report from her letter. The couple had to hide in a deep ravine in the woods to escape capture by French soldiers, and Chloe ended up losing her trunks of fine clothing. Lady Elizabeth ended her tale with the announcement. “And as to my wonderful news, our dear Chloe and the captain have wed! We must celebrate their nuptials.”    The men were silent. Both faces registered surprise.    “Jack, married?” the count scoffed, and looked at Duchamp. “Never thought he'd let down his guard regarding his prized bachelorhood.” His gaze shot to the butler behind him. “Bring champagne. We must celebrate Jack’s capture by the fairer sex.”    The butler nodded and left the room quickly.   “Why would you say that?” Lady Elizabeth asked with annoyance. “He would have married Chloe years ago, if Gareth hadn't asked her first.”    The count rolled his eyes. “Jack has been in mourning for his fiancée for twenty years. He'd never look at another woman, mark me, I'm in his confidence, my sweet.”    “Oh?” Lady Elizabeth's voice rose with mock surprise and a hint of superiority. “So Jack didn't come to you in private during the first annual Christmas Eve Ball ten years back and ask your advice on wooing Miss Ramirez and gaining her hand in marriage?”    That was something Juliet never knew about, despite her friendship with Chloe. Of course she wouldn't, as Chloe Ramirez had married the count's uncle and no lady would talk openly of another courtship prior to her marriage.     “No . . ?” The count's eyes grew wide as he gazed at his wife. “I suspect you are implying  he did so with you. You never shared that with me, my sweet.” The count's mother's story     The sensation of triumph radiated from her ladyship briefly.  She gave a light laugh. “Oh, my lord, it was such a busy holiday that year I clearly forgot about the incident until this moment.” 
   She turned to Juliet to explain further. “We were newlyweds, you see. My grandfather, the earl, was here scowling at us all, and rumored to be at death's door. My brothers were severely injured from a brutal attack days earlier by an escaped indenture. The count’s mother arrived late on Christmas Eve and she was furious with him for not writing her the news we had wed three months earlier. Chloe and Gareth were married in secret at dawn on Christmas Day and then we had the count’s mother's wedding a two weeks later. And I had learned just days before Christmas that I was expecting the twins, and so sometimes I reflect on that holiday as a time of supreme confusion." Elizabeth's first Christmas  “Our first Christmas as man and wife was quite memorable.” His lordship seemed amused by the horrific list his wife had just given him as her reasons for forgetting to tell him of his friend's interest in Miss Ramirez, as Chloe was known then by all.   “Miss Ramirez was an intoxicating young woman.” Duchamp had a wistful smile that softened his sharp features considerably. “I might have courted her myself, back then.”   “You?” the count's voice rose with disbelief. “I swear, the men I consider my trusted friends keep their secrets well. I am the last to learn of these stray passions and private desires.”    “You spend too much time with your horses, my lord,” Lady Elizabeth chided playfully. “You miss the subtle nuances between humans when they are attracted to one another.”     The men chuckled, and Juliet allowed herself the indulgence of a light laugh as well.     “I fear you may have a point, my sweet. And yet, none can claim to have the skills you possess in discerning these secrets of the heart.” His lordship took his wife's hand impulsively, another indication of their relaxed attitudes regarding etiquette and showing affection in polite company.    “If I may be so bold, my lady,” Juliet inquired carefully, “why did the captain come to you for aid in courting Mrs. O'Donovan--before she was Mrs. O'Donovan, I mean?”     The countess turned to Juliet, her eyes bright with reminiscence. Obviously, she was enjoying this dinner conversation, and it had nothing to do with Juliet's presence at table. Her ladyship had the full attention of the men and she was being praised and indulged by her spouse. Chloe's Christmas Story   “It was two hours past dawn on Christmas morning, my dear Miss Wallingford,” the countess's voice floated amid the sparkling crystal goblets and the warm candlelight. “We had just returned from Chloe's secret wedding to Gareth. Only my lord and I were attendance. I was in the library preparing myself to be hostess to a family holiday for the first time in my married life. A knock came to my door, and the butler informed me that Captain Rawlings sought a private audience with me.”     “Where was I?” his lordship asked, offence in his voice.    Lady Elizabeth gave a slight shrug and glanced at him thoughtfully. “The stables, I suspect, managing your horses or managing young Mr. O'Reilly, your new stable master.”    Duchamp gave a low chuckle. He was amused by the countess's jest.   The butler returned with the champagne. He opened it and began pouring glasses for them. Juliet gazed at the light liquid set before her. She never had a reason to taste the expensive beverage as teachers at her school did not have reason to celebrate, nor had her past employer been one to share such luxuries with the members of his staff.    “And the captain confessed his desire to win Chloe’s hand and asked if I might speak well of him to her so she might favor his suit. I had the unfortunate task of telling the poor man Chloe had been wed but two hours earlier."    “What wretched timing. I wish I had known of this." The count's voice was ladened with sadness. All signs of joy were gone from his features. “I cannot imagine sitting at the table with the woman you are secretly in love with and her spouse, month after month, year after year, pretending you don't care. It had to have been hell for him.”     “He hid it well,” Duchamp added. “We had our differences, but I would not wish such a cruel fate upon the fellow. I always wondered why he never took a wife.”     “I thought he was married to sea, as he so often said," the count added. "And considering his tragic history with his fiancée dying years ago, I thought him still in mourning for his lost love."     “But he has found his happiness!” Lady Elizabeth's voice revived its prior joy. “As has our dear Chloe. Both had tragic pasts, and they have found true love."    “To true love. To Captain and Mrs. Rawlings!” The count lifted his glass and the three of them did likewise. “May they be blessed with every happiness and a brighter future.”     Juliet took a sip of the sparkling beverage. She was amazed by the lightness of champagne, as wine was usually much heavier on her palate. "Oh,” she giggled, and resisted the urge to wipe her nose as the bubbles tickled it without mercy.    “To Jack and Chloe,” Mr. Duchamp made a second toast. “A weather-hardened seaman wins the heart of an alluring young widow. Proof that all men may find a safe harbor for their hearts, no matter their age or disposition."    “To Jack and Chloe!” They all drank a toast to the happy couple.    “And to the strange proclivities of Aphrodite,” the count continued. “She stalks all men and makes them trip over their true love when they least expect it.”     Again, they raised glasses to the count's toast. This time, Juliet could not resist brushing her nose with her napkin after taking a sip of the bubbly liquid. She was relieved to find the countess doing the same beside her.    “And who will be next in our circle to find love?” the count's deep voice became soft and slightly sensual. At least, that was how Juliet perceived it after three sips of champagne following two goblets of wine at dinner. “Ambrose, is there anything you wish to tell me?”    All eyes moved to the steward. He did not appear amused by his lordship's jest, but irritated.  Juliet felt a pang of concern. What dark secrets were hidden in his past life in France?   “Aphrodite crossed me off her list of favorites long ago, my lord.”   “You are too hard on yourself, Ambrose,” the count replied.  “What happened in France does not need to define you for a lifetime. Love will find you if you'll allow her to lead you to your true heart's companion. You've spent enough years lurking in the shadows and sulking like a ghoul.”    The man actually grimaced at his lordship's words. And then he looked directly at the count with his chin held up and his eyes defiant. “And where were you, my lord, when Aphrodite dropped from the sky and dragged you to your true love's door?”    “The stables,” the count replied hastily with a chuckle, “minding my own affairs.”    “With Michael,” the countess added in the same moment. The couple looked to each other and laughed together. “We’d fallen on hard times Miss Wallingford. My brother worked at the stables to support us after his father lost everything, including our home, to gambling.”      “If Fletcher hadn’t lost everything and brought you with him to hide in the country, I might not have found you, my darling lass.” The count clutched her hand and lifted it to his lips, shocking Juliet with his bold display of affection. She was shocked by his forwardness, but not offended.      The couple gazed at each other with deep affection. Her ladyship's girlish laugh brought a lighter note to the room after Mr. Duchamp's dark comment about not being worthy of Aphrodite's magic. Donovan & Lizzie's Story    “Donovan was visiting Lord Hamilton's stable in the hope of purchasing one of his mares as breeding stock.” Lady Elizabeth had the good grace to explain further.     “--and Lizzie's younger brother invited me to their home for dinner.”     “--it was my birthday. Michael brought Donovan to me as a present.”     “I had no idea I was her gift,” the count quickly said.     “Oh, it wasn't like that”" Lady Elizabeth corrected. “Michael knew I enjoyed witty conversation so he brought home a clever new friend to liven my birthday dinner. I was enchanted when my lord said hello to me in that delightful Irish brogue he used back then. He was pretending to be an Irish commoner, you see, said he worked for a French count. I didn't know until the wedding that he was that same French lord. Donovan liked his disguises in those days, didn't you dearest.”     “Yes, and even incognito, I was struck down by cupid the moment I saw Lizzie's sweet face.” The count pointed at Ambrose. “You see, I was tending my affairs, in the stable in England, and the goddess found me. Have a care, Ambrose, once the goddess of love has you in her sights, it won't matter where you are hiding, she'll find you at drag you into your true love's path.” 


    Juliet could not restrain her wide smile. It was not polite to grin so freely amid the upper classes, and yet, she could not contain her pleasure in hearing the story of how the count and countess met, or their teasing of the solemn man seated across from her. She glanced at Mr. Duchamp and found him staring at her with such intensity it brought a chill to her skin and a light fluttering of dragonfly wings inside of her belly.     He was looking at her with accusation, as if she had somehow conspired with the fair Aphrodite regarding his future. ~~End of Excerpt. Noble Assassin, copyright Lily Silver, 2015. 
Noble Assassin is scheduled for release in early February. If you sign up for my mailing list, you'll receive first notice of the release and also receive a free copy of another full length historical romance. Check the subscription form on the upper right hand side of this blog for details.

Added Bonus, leave a comment below with your email address and you will receive a free copy of the first book in this series, Dark Hero, A Gothic Romance. Be sure to specify if you need an epub version or a kindle version for your e-reader. Happy Holidays to each of you.
Lily Silver 

The Magic of the Season: Chloe's Magical Christmas Cookies

Tis the season for Christmas Cookies. Have you ever wondered if cookies could be imbued with magic?  Grandma's Christmas Cookies, for example?  We all have memories of those special hand crafted treats from a loved one.  In celebration of the season, and of baking, a labor of love at Christmas time, I'm sharing an excerpt from one of my Christmas stories, A Christmas Kiss.  In this story, Chloe is trying to get the man she loves to come forward and declare his affections. She's resorted to using magic in the form of cookies. She's baked cookies, and imbued them with some very special magical properties to make the recipient of her gift fall head over heels in love with her. The only problem is, she ends up giving away several samples to other men . . . . Will they be affected by her magic? 



    Excerpt from A Christmas Kiss, Copyright Lily Silver, 2013:                Dressed like a princess in a fairy tale, Chloe carefully carried the plate of biscuits down the stairs. She didn’t dare leave them sitting in the kitchen for fear one of the staff would eat them. She had asked Gareth to join her near the Gazebo, so she might give him his gift.
Rupert passed her in the hall and snatched up a biscuit. “Thanks, darlin’.” He winked at her as he shoved it into his mouth.        “Shame on you!” She scolded him. “Those were not for you.” They stood facing each other in the narrow hall leading to the kitchen. “They are a gift for someone special.”        “Well, hoity-toity, ma’am.” Rupert looked her up and down as if insulted. “What are you complaining about? You’ve still got a pile of ‘em left, don’t you now?”        That wasn’t the point. She made eight lemon biscuits, true, but they were for Gareth, and none other. “I made these special. Don’t you have something to do?” She gave him a scowl. He did look very nice this evening. He was dressed in his own suit instead of his footman’s livery.        “Aye, I’ve been running hither and yon for that paunchy cook, setting up the feast in the parlor, seeing to the musicians and you’d begrudge me one little biscuit.”       “Rupert.” Mr. Ambrose Duchamp, the count’s steward, stepped up behind them. “Off with you, that’s no way to address Miss Ramirez.” He waved his hand and the head footman went striding off quickly. The dark haired Frenchman had that affect on people. It was rumored he had been the King’s assassin before joining the count’s brigade of pirates in the East Indies. He grabbed a biscuit from the plate and popped it into his mouth, without even asking first.       “Mr. Duchamp—I—I—“ Chloe sputtered, horrified by the implications of her magic making this man fall madly in love with her. “I was just on my way.”       “Eh, you wish an escort, ma petite?” He was gazing at her with too much curiosity, more than she liked.       “No, I—I’m fine, thank you.” She curtsied to the fellow, something she didn’t typically do, but she was so nervous over not one man but two stealing her enchanted biscuits, she didn’t have hold of her senses.      “Evenin’ Duchamp.” Mr. O’Leary, another of the count’s men, breezed past them. “And Miss Ramirez?” He stopped, and turned about to gaze at her. “How lovely you look, Miss. Ah, thank ye!” He snatched up a third disk, making Chloe’s heart sink further.       A Christmas Kiss is part of this Trilogy“Good day, sir—I mean, sirs!” She whirled about and hurried away, holding the plate gingerly in her palms, before they decided to make a meal of her remaining hopes. Chloe made it to the gardens without losing any more of her precious biscuits. She brushed past Sally, the maid, and ran right into Mr. O’Reilly.      “Omphf, Steady on, Miss Ramirez. Sally, wait, don’t be angry, Luv.” Mr. O’Reilly called after the maid. He had stopped in front of Chloe, however, and was eyeing the plate of golden yellow disks.              “What’s this? Lemon biscuits, my favorite.” Another one was felled by the cruel fates as he didn’t wait for her to offer him one but grabbed one and popped it into his mouth. “Thank you, Good Christmas, Miss.”       Chloe groaned and hurried down the path toward the gazebo. She thought she was safe, when Mr. Marceau stepped out from behind a statute. “Miss Ramirez, why how pretty you look tonight.”       “Oh, no you don’t!” She avoided his approach by stepping around the statue to keep it between them.       “Pardon?” The tutor followed her, ducking back and forth as if he were playing a game of hide and seek with a child. “Do not be offended, mademoiselle.” His nose was red and his eyes watery. Dios, he’d been at the wine again, he was more than a little silly at the moment.       “I’m meeting someone.” She said, holding the plate steady as she backed away from him. “I will see you later, inside.”       “A dance, sil vous plait?” He followed her retreat. He moved clumsily. “You will save a dance for me? Oui, my little rose petal?” He snatched a cookie, but in his awkward movement, his hand made her tip the plate. The remaining three biscuits dropped to the cobblestones at her feet. She crouched to pick them up and brushed them off with her fingertips.      “Yes, yes—of course. Excuse me, sir.” Marceau was drunk, and he had a lecherous look in his eyes. He didn’t need any magic biscuits or fake mistletoe. She knew what was on his mind.      Original Cover, 2013  “Is this great bag of wind bothering you?” Captain Rawlings came up the walk from the terrace with his nephew in tow.       “Captain!” Chloe gasped. Apparently every guest invited to the party decided to linger outside in the garden while they waited for the countess to open the parlor doors at eight o’clock. Every male guest--except Gareth.       “Oh, look at these!” The little boy exclaimed, reaching for one of her biscuits.        The captain’s hand came out and caught his nephew’s wrist. “Mind your manners. You’ve had enough sweets for one day, and the party hasn’t started yet.” He looked from Peter to Chloe. “Are you all right, Miss Ramirez?” He drew close and gazed at her with concern.        “Yes. I was looking for Mr. O’Donovan.” She said, backing away, lest the captain snatch a biscuit and lower her chances of getting the magic into Gareth. “Thank you. Good day, sir. I will see you later.” She made her way toward the gazebo.        “Miss Ramirez.” The captain called after her.        “Yes.” She turned about, her fingers holding the platter tight. The captain was one who always intrigued her. If not for having her affections set upon Gareth, she might have considered him a possible suitor. He was a fine man, a very fine man.        “I hope we can have a dance later.” The captain said in a softened tone that was not his usual brusque sea voice. “I should like that, very much.”        “Yes, yes. I would as well.” She stood still, feeling awkward and torn. She wanted to find Gareth, but for some reason, she felt drawn to the captain tonight. He had dressed in finery for the evening. Perhaps that was it. His hair was gleaming like burnished gold, and he had on a blue uniform jacket with brass buttons. Typically, he was very informal when he visited the count’s home.        “I shall count upon it.” He nodded to her and moved up the path with his nephew. Chloe sighed and muttered a curse. The one man she might have wished would take one of her magical biscuits did not even try to.          “My dear lady.” She whirled about, and nearly shrieked at the sight of Mr. Barnaby rounding the cobbled path. A grandfatherly sort and she had no wish for him to form an affectionate bent toward her. “I was just taking in the night air before the festivities. Care for a walk with me.”       “I’m meeting someone.” Chloe muttered, glancing about with hope that her target might appear. “Mr. O’Donovan, have you seen him?”       “No, I believe he is in the parlor, with Kieran and the others. Madame wanted family in the parlor before they opened the doors. “Are those Fritz’s lemon biscuits?”       “No.” Chloe lied. Dios! This was turning into a nightmare. “They are old baking biscuits, for the dogs.”        Mr. Barnaby smiled kindly at her. “The dogs have been locked in the stables for the evening, I’m told. Shall we go inside the house. It’s nearly eight o’clock.”       “If you would just wait one moment.” She said, and hurried to the gazebo. Gareth was not there. The party was about to start. She had three little biscuits left. What to do? She could hide them here, but an animal might eat them and her spell would be wasted. Perhaps it was wasted, she thought, feeling the first stirrings of doubt.       New cover, 2015“Miss Ramirez?” Mr. Barnaby ducked beneath the hanging curtain of leaves and came into the gazebo. He looked at her plate of biscuits and then at her, as if he knew what was truly going on. “If I can be of assistance, you’ve only to ask, my dear.”        “I made these, for Mr. O’Donovan. I can’t find him, and the party is starting. I cannot be late. What should I do? Five other men have helped themselves to my labors, and I made these for Gareth alone, not for any of them.”        “I’ll take them for you.”        “No, you don’t understand . . .” She burst out, ready to fall into tears.       “I do, my dear. I do.” He said it with a gentleness that was compelling. “Love magic is not always successful. Let us hope tonight that it is not successful. But if you wish, I will keep these safe for you and give them only to the man who is destined to become yours.”        “How did you know?” Chloe looked away to hide her rising tears.        “My dear girl.” The old apothecary pulled his handkerchief from his vest and handed it to her.     “You were quizzing us today on magical herbs to secure a suitor. Now you are rushing about like a serving maid at a party with a plate of wafers and trying to keep everyone from eating them. Never try to fool an old wizard, Miss Ramirez. You’ll only look the fool yourself.”         Chloe took his handkerchief. She set the platter on the seat so she could repair her appearance. “So, you admit to being a wizard, Mr. Barnaby?”         “Don’t tell my young apprentice. Kieran likes to think he’s the only one with intuitive powers. It pleases me to let him have his fantasies. I’m told you possess a magical heritage as well, Miss Ramirez.”          The beginning of a song echoed out through the garden. The musicians were tuning their instruments, getting ready to begin.        “Oh dear!” Chloe gasped. “We have to go. What should I do with these?”        “Why, I have a little case right here.” He pulled a small leather case from his inside vest pocket. “I promise not to eat your love biscuits, but to only keep them safe and hidden until the right man comes along.”         “But . . . Gareth promised to be here. He promised me. What does it mean?” The old man held her gaze, but didn’t speak for a moment. He took the three remaining biscuits from the plate and placed them in his little case, and then put it in his vest pocket.        “Yes, several men encountered you tonight, my dear. Each one was quite taken with you, before tasting your love potion. Suppose one of them is destined to be your true mate, the one who will complete your soul. Could it be you are overlooking the obvious in your pursuit of the obscure?”       “And what is the obvious? Not Mr. Marceau?”       “I doubt it. He is hardly the most gallant of the bunch. What does your heart tell you, my dear girl?”        Her heart was a confused mess, a roiling, churning sea of uncertainty. She sought only reassurance from her beloved, security and the promise of forever. Was that too much to ask?        “Come, Miss Ramirez. The spell will wear off and Destiny will sort itself out, all in good time.” The old gentleman offered her his arm. “Let’s go have a Christmas Dance, shall we?” Excerpt from A Christmas Kiss, Copyright Lily Silver, 2013.  

A Christmas Kiss is on sale during the holidays for .99 cents. It is a short story of about 57 pages. Buy A Christmas Kiss on Amazon
Chloe's mission seems to have failed. And yet, the Christmas Eve Ball is just about to begin. She still has time to maneuver Gareth O'Donovan under the mistletoe and steal a Christmas Kiss. And what about all those other men who stole her magical cookies? She may be in for a long, exhausting night on the dance floor.   Merry Christmas to everyone, may your own Christmas dreams come true.