How could I refuse?I took the last step and laid my hand in his. He drew me near as the band began to play a waltz. Not the ragtime music I expected, but I wasn't going to complain while he held me close for a slow dance."You look beautiful," he whispered. His gaze shone, turning the grey of his eyes to shot silver."You're very fine yourself," I said. He was exquisite in his tails, but I imagined it was bad form to call a man beautiful.We moved out on to the parquet floor. While it gleamed for the moment, it would be dull and scuffed by thousands of footsteps by dawn. Overhead, enormous chandeliers glinted, as though Seth had plucked several moons from the heavens and hung them from the ceiling. One wall contained French doors at regular intervals, leading to the patio and gardens beyond. In between each set of doors and mounted on the wall were crossed swords, from delicate fencing foils to brutish Scottish claymores. Steel caught the overhead light, and fire ran along razor e
It's surprising how quiet two hundred people can be when they don't want to miss a single syllable of the main show. Louise's heels clicked on the floor as she approached. I had to turn, instinct demanding that I never present my back to the enemy. Two things gave me immense satisfaction in the horror playing out. The first came as I took in her dress, and had the satisfaction of knowing it was last season's. And here was the scullery maid, wearing Paris, summer 1919. Ouch.The second matter to bring me a fraction of joy was her angry face adorned with the broken nose and darkened circles under her eyes, although she had layered on the powder in a futile attempt to cover the dark smudges. She could throw all the dirty names she wanted, but I could throw a punch."What is the meaning of this, Louise?" Seth asked.She pointed a finger and stabbed the air in my direction. "She is a liar and a filthy, grasping whore!"My feet wouldn't budge. I swallowed, but couldn't squeeze out any wo
Four carcasses twitched and shuddered across the wooden floor while we took a well-deserved drink. Eight in total had attacked Serenity House this evening."I think we can safely say your ball was a riot." I couldn't help myself, I had to say it. Behind me, the soldiers chortled with laughter."It did end rather spectacularly, didn't it?" Seth smiled.Frank appeared on the top step. "Seth," he called. "We think we've pinpointed the hive in the grid Ella identified."Seth handed off his sword to the butler, who had materialised at his elbow. How did he do that? He must have secret doorways that exited in thin air. "Rally your men, lieutenant, we have our target.""Yes, captain." The soldier saluted and jogged up the stairs.I took in the mess on the dance floor. "We need to identify them if we can, and the ones outside." Where did they come from, and how far had they travelled? I needed names to inscribe in my notebook, before their bodies were consigned to the bonfire. A tinge of
Waiting seemed to take an eternity. From above came the monotonous thud as the men dug through the dirt, and then hit the stone. Not long after that, a soft boom vibrated the air around us and made me jump."Small charge," Seth said. "Just enough to break through the stone. Frank has a way with dynamite."Then from below, a gunshot, followed by three more fired in rapid succession. I jumped and glanced to Seth."Shouldn't we go in? They need our help," I said.He ground his jaw, but held his ground. "I can't risk more men without knowing what's in there. We wait."I wanted to dash in after the brave young men. How could he stand here, while a few feet away his soldiers needed our help? He reached out and took my hand, holding me at his side and drawing my gaze again."This is what it means to lead, to balance two lives against many more. I don't issue the command to wait lightly, but I have faith in Jack and Jake's abilities."Time stretched, and my heartbeat struggled to fill t
"Run!"Seth gave the command as soon as we emerged, but our feet were already moving.Frank waited up top until he saw we were clear. Then he let the missile drop, jumped, and rolled down the side as though the hounds of Hell were snapping at his heels. We ran toward the trees and the shelter of a low ridge. As we passed over, Seth looped an arm around my waist and pulled me to the ground, the damp grass chill against my skin. His larger body shielded me as a whump hit my ears, at the same time that heated air blasted over the top of us."What was in that?" I asked, although with the buzzing in my ears I wasn't sure if I would be capable of hearing his reply.A minute passed before he caught his breath and answered. "Ever hear the story of Greek fire?"Vague memory cells sparked. As a child, I had the benefit of a classical education, and father had loved reading me ancient stories of lost civilisations and long dead warriors.Seth started talking as he rolled us to our sides. "I
It was a quiet trip back through the country lanes to the estate. I was lost in my thoughts, worried about father and how to deal with Step-mother. I expected to find my scant belongings scattered over the cobbles in the yard when I returned.Seth stroked the back of my hand in comforting circles. "The War Office is extremely interested in employing you, if you're looking for another occupation and could stomach working with me?"I had to smile at that. Yes, I think I could stomach working alongside the Duke of Leithfield, especially if it involved cramped quarters with him holding me close. But the idea of leaving made my mind stutter, like a vermin cut off from the queen. That would leave father at home, and my friends exposed to her toxicity. Could I chase my own career and leave them all behind? I longed deeply for freedom, but part of me couldn't do it. Not until I removed her from our lives. Somehow."Let me make it through today first, and then we can discuss it." My smile dr
I sat in the yard for a long time, staring off into the distance but not seeing anything. Lost in the maze of my own thoughts. Eventually, I found my way out of my reverie and stuck my head in the kitchen door."I'm going for a ride to clear my head."I wasn't sure if Magda heard me. She sang under her breath as she mixed something in a bowl while simultaneously instructing Alice, who was doing something arcane to a chicken. Alice looked up and waved the large knife in her hand, before grabbing the unfortunate chook by one leg.I saddled up the patient mare, put my foot in the stirrup, and once settled, we headed across the fields. My mind rioted with all that happened over the last day and night. We took out a nest, but still didn't understand the capabilities of a queen. Her whispered words gnawed at me. Need more, not enough yet.What would the vermin be capable of, with Elizabeth in charge? Would she gather the more they needed and could we stop her? A shudder ran through my bo
PART TWO: Alice, the PlayerElla. In turmoil.Seth deMage, the Duke of Leithfield, is a dreamy kisser. You don't have to take my word for it; an article in the newspaper rated the top kissers in England. Seth was ranked number three. The Prince of Wales cheated him out of the top spot, and really, I think the fact Edward is the future king coloured the woman's impression. Number two on the list was Rudolph Valentino, who shouldn't count since he is American.While I adored being in the arms of the third-best kisser in England, my mind wandered?through no fault of Seth's, lest anyone think his lips failed to hold my attention. No, the fault was entirely mine. I had a rather pressing problem on my mind. A bigger problem than his marriage proposal of a few minutes before.Worry nagged at me and flowed through my limbs, fighting against the desire building with his kiss. The two emotions fought a dirty battle in my mind and pulled me even further from where my heart wanted to be, wit