Cosimo: A Blend of Romance and Sci-Fi Intrigue
One of the problems with writing Erotic Science Fiction is the fact that many potential readers assume the focus is on the erotic elements rather than the underlying science fiction and general plot. To try and overcome this perception, I’m sharing some excerpts from various stories to share some of the “non-erotic” elements. This excerpt is from Cosimo, A Families of the Empire Story and covers the introduction of a new love interest as the high social season of the empire gets underway.
Cosimo, a Families of the Empire Story is my most problematic title. While it has explicit content, it also has what I feel is a strongly character driven plot. The characters of the story live within a culture in the far future. Part of the culture includes voluntary and involuntary indenture. Couple this with some of the explicit scenes and situations, and the story falls into what some consider troublesome topics such as slavery and trafficking.
“You look as bored as I feel,” a warm, soft voice said next to me. I glanced, appreciating her sharp profile in the dim light of the balcony, and smiled.
“I’m just taking a break from being a social butterfly,” I said. “This is my sixth gala in ten days, and I feel like I’ve talked my throat raw.”
“But you’ve only shaken my hand and said what a pleasure it was to meet me,” she teased.
“That was eight days ago. I was trying to choose my follow-up line, but knew I’d be tongue-tied if I approached.”
She laughed. It was a throaty chuckle more than a solid guffaw, but it suited her. “You are charming despite being so shy,” she teased back. “Since I approached you, I guess you don’t have to be tongue-tied now.”
“Miss Dennison, it’s a pleasure to see you again. I’d ask if you are enjoying yourself, but I suspect you are bored with the high season here tonight.”
“Why Cosimo, how could you even hint at such a thing? Beatrice’s mother simply cannot throw a boring gala. That is not allowed. As one of the leading families in the Empire, I’m certain it is the height of entertainment. It must be your simple mind that can’t fathom such lofty performances.” She motioned to the pantomime troupe monopolizing the dance floor below us.
They looked like mimes playing charades with stiffly choreographed movements within their own group. I knew enough ‘modern’ performance art to know that it was the height of fashion, but I could not take the performance seriously. The individuals in the troupe were fit and fluid, moving easily within their play, but the whole lacked any emotional connection for me. I said as much.
“Gods, yes,” Samantha Dennison agreed. “I’d rather see the ballet or even a good cabaret scene than this excrement,” she opined.
I nodded.
She gave me a sideways look. “That was a perfect opening for you to invite me to see one or the other next week,” she said.
I turned to face her. She was a small woman, but perfectly proportioned and attractive. Her head came to just above my shoulder, but her posture and carriage made her seem to be my match. Her self-confidence belied her size. She had dark hair with lighter highlights styled into a delightful cascade of loose curls gathered over one shoulder. Her high cheekbones and rounded nose were a perfect canvas for her full red lips and warm light eyes. She was very attractive, witty, and smart. Of course, she was an aristocrat and all that entailed, which would make my grandmother happy. Her family interests were mostly in the south of the continent, with vast agricultural holdings. Her eldest brother was being groomed to be a senator while her older sisters were being married to other aristocratic and high guilder lines. I wondered if she had chosen me or been launched my direction, given the nature of the social season here in Cardino.
“If only the ballet was performing here next week, I’d be honored to ask to escort you. Alas,” I said dramatically, “there is no performance scheduled.”
Her eyes crinkled as she smiled. “I’ve heard there is to be a dancing exhibition at the club next week. Perhaps that would suit us better than a long ballet.”
I laughed. “My apologies, madame, but I work at that club and can think of better places to spend my off time, no matter how nice the atmosphere or company might be.”
She frowned. I was sorry to hurt her feelings so rushed ahead. “However, I happen to know of a private performance that troupe will have before their scheduled show, if you would care to watch with myself and my grandmother.”
She smiled. “I think I would enjoy that,” she said. “When and where is this private performance?”
“It’s in a private residence, near the club. We can have an early dinner or late lunch afterwards if that suits you.”
She nodded. “My aunt will be wanting to accompany me,” she said as she glanced down to the main floor and spotted her chaperone who had been escorting her to all the balls this season. “Will that be a problem?”
I shook my head. “Not at all. I’ll send you a card to confirm the details.”
She smiled and raised her hand for me to hold and raise to my lips for the briefest of kisses.
“I look forward to seeing you again, Cosimo.”
I felt a shiver in my spine as she locked eyes with me, holding my gaze for a moment, and then turned away.
The social season that made Cardino the place for aristocrats and high-guilders to see and be seen each year ran for six ten-days spanning the last week of spring and the first half of summer. It had been running for about half of its allotted time, and I was more than ready for it to be over. I could play the role my grandmother desired, but I was hardly enamored with it. The season had started with several formal grand balls, then segued into a series of dinners hosted by the upper crust of imperial and local society. Of course, young people being what we were, the club had been doing a tremendous after-dinner business with its wide variety of entertainments. Since ‘the Grande dame’ insisted I attend a minimum of four social engagements each ten-day, I had reduced my classes at the collegium and worked several double shifts managing at the club. Seeing debutantes pretending to be of the highest class at dinner followed by a drunken display hours later at the club had made me more than a little jaded.
I was happy that I could not recall seeing Samantha Dennison in such a state. Of the hundreds of eligible women, I had been maneuvered into spending time with, she was the first that had approached me so subtly, and she had done it herself rather than go through her aunt or my grandmother. Samantha would be one to watch, I decided.
My thoughts were interrupted by applause as the troupe finished their routine. I joined in, glad the debacle was over. I could now make my way back downstairs, thank our hostess and host, and make good my departure. Grandmother had insisted I stay until the entertainment had finished. I had met my obligation to her, and soon completed my false thanks for the wonderful show to meet my social obligation as well. I was turning toward the front hall when a stranger bumped into me.
I felt fingers deftly dance on my lapel and looked at the man closely even as he mumbled an apology and turned away, hurrying before me toward the door. I straightened my jacket, ensuring the small envelope he had deposited was well down inside my pocket, and then followed him at a more sedate pace.
I seemed to have gained another obligation for the evening.
This excerpt highlights some of the non-explicit writing in the book as the plot shifts more to mystery and intrigue. Subscribers can read an additional “spicy” excerpt from the book and everyone can enjoy the discussion of that excerpt as well.
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