New Story

Hi Everyone,

I have been wondering what to post about next. I thought about boring you with a round up of my eventful life last week but decided to leave that until another day. Lol. I have been messing around with a new story and thought I would share it's beginnings with you.

It hasn't even got a title and I am still wondering if it is going to be a historical romance or the start of a series of books about two amateur sleuths investigating murder and crime in late nineteenth century London. I am liking the sound of the last idea but I would love to know how you think it should go. How would you like to see the story develop? Please leave a comment.

Here it is. Happy Reading!

Sara


London, 1891

Lady Cordelia Tempest sat demurely in front of her cousin and guardian Lord Henry waiting for him to speak. Six years her elder, he was dressed to go to the theatre wearing his top hat, the butler waiting patiently in the hall with his cloak. He hardly ever called her into his presence so she could only suspect he had some bad news to deliver or he was to issue her with a reprimand. She had examined her conduct of the preceding days and morning and could find nothing at fault.

She looked up at him standing in front of her leaning back on his cane. It was a lazy stance but her handsome cousin only served to make it elegant. He looked down at her from his tall height with hooded green eyes as though whatever she was about to say he wouldn't believe it. The very idea made her cross and the guilt of the emotion showed on her pretty porcelain features as the beginnings of a blush.

Lady Tempest was annoyed at her cousin Julian for putting her in this embarrassing position. Didn't he know she was nineteen and not a child anymore? Cordelia straightened her back and made sure her large sapphire blue eyes shone with just a little more defiance than was usual in her demeanour.

'Cousin, I believe I have been neglecting my duty of care,' he began in his eloquent carefree voice. 'I have been informed that you have. . .' he paused, a brow creasing his young dark features. 'Been seen in the company of the American, Abel Reeves. Despite his wealth the man takes delight in being nothing short of a swindler and criminal for sport. Young wealthy heiresses like yourself are also something of a sport for him,' he said arching one eyebrow as he put on his gloves. 'I am surprised that you would associate with a dangerous man like Abel Reeves. I really thought you were too sensible a child for such behaviour.'

'Please, Julian, I am not a child anymore and I have not been associating with Abel Reeves. He has merely spoken to me on a couple of occasions. He wanted to take a walk with me in the park and take me to dinner. Of course I refused but he is a persistent man.'

Cordelia moved uneasily in her seat. She couldn't tell Maria anything. That was the last time she would confide in her maid. She must have run straight to the old battle axe herself, Mrs Potts, Lord Henry's housekeeper. The woman did not like her and disapproved of the freedom she was allowed in Lord Henry's house. It would have been too tempting to ignore the opportunity to give Julian a reason to be disappointed in her.

'Lord Henry, the carriage is waiting,' the butler interrupted holding Julian's evening cloak out to him.

Julian frowned again and nodded.

'I have to go Cordelia, ladies do not like to be kept waiting. We will talk of this more in the morning. I trust what you have told me but it might be prudent if I had a word with the man. I will not have him harassing you.'

Cordelia stood as her cousin prepared to leave feeling frantic with concern.

'Please, cousin I can deal with the matter. I do not need anyone to speak on my behalf.'

'Nonsense. You are but a child and must be cared for.'

'I am not a child anymore. Mr Reeves will not take kindly to your interference.'

Julian gave a laugh.

'No I don't suppose he will but I am relishing the prospect of it.'

She caught Julian's arm.

'He may do you violence, cousin. Please let me deal with the matter alone.'

'I will do no such thing.' He gave her a grin and a wink. 'Do not worry about me, cousin. I am more than capable of looking after myself. I am well known for holding my own in a fight. But, hush,' he said putting a finger to his lips in mock humour. 'Do not tell Mrs Potts that I told you that. She disapproves of my decadent lifestyle as it is. You know how fearsome she is. Let us not give her another reason to glare at us with that ugly frown.'

Cordelia gave a weak smile, dismayed that he still thought of her as the small blonde blue- eyed eight year old that came to live with him and his father after the death of her widowed mother. To Julian she was still the small child with whom he played and comforted when she pined for her mother.
Her confident cousin might believe he could deter Abel Reeves from paying her scandalous attention but he was wrong. The man had become more persistent than of late, sending her gifts and displaying annoyance if he found her in the company of other men who were merely part of her social set.

He would not like being told he had to stay away from her and the gentleman had a way of persuading other men to leave her alone with a subtle threats. Julian would undoubtedly be hurt if not by Abel himself then one of his friends who appeared to do all of his bidding without question. It would not do. She would have to think of something.