Excerpt from Book 1 (unnamed) of the Secrets of the Shroud series, the continuing adventures of the Avalon Society.

 

“If you would be so kind, Miss Frost and explain why you are hiding in my carriage. If you could elaborate even further, perhaps you will tell me why you are pointing a pistol at me. When we waltzed last evening before your engagement to Lord Dinbeigh was announced at Mrs. Faversham’s Annual Autumn Gala, I did not get the impression that you meant my person any, ah, harm.” He was certain their closeness during the waltz had affected her in the same manner it did him.

Francis Nightshade studied the pale beauty seated across from him. Although clumsy and irritating, he had never thought her unbalanced or insane. She was dressed in a fine fitting, albeit it wrinkled, travelling gown of plum-colored velvet, her black hat sat a bit askew, her pale silvery hair was mussed and trailing down on one side. Her full lips were set in a grim line and her trembling hands held a large pistol, which she aimed at his chest. While her appearance would support claims of a crazed individual, he knew she was not a victim of lunacy. Miss Violet Frost was desperate. He could see fear reflected in the depth of her indigo eyes along with what he suspected was a glimmer of hope.    

“Of course, Mr. Nightshade. I am in your carriage because I am fleeing my uncle and marriage to old Lord Dinbeigh. I had no idea that there was an engagement; certainly not that it would be announced last evening. No one consulted me. I had no idea what my uncle and Dinbeigh planned. You see, I do not wish to marry the man. Or any man, really.”

“I can understand why a young and lovely woman, like you, Miss Frost, would resist marrying an old, cold-hearted codger like Dinbeigh, but it does not explain why you are in my carriage, or why you are holding me at gunpoint. You must realize I will be accused of kidnapping you. There are those who will suspect we go to Scotland to marry.” As it happened, going to Scotland to marry would be a perfect alibi as to why he was in Scotland. Hmm. It was an idea definitely worth considering.

Violet Frost rolled her eyes. “Oh, dear. I hadn’t thought of that.” She let go a heavy sigh. The pistol lowered slightly, aiming at his midsection. She removed one hand from the handle and brushed a pale strand of hair from her eyes.

“That does change things, and possibly for the better, for me. Once you escort me to Scotland, I will take my leave of you and disappear. I am certain my Uncle and Dinbeigh will think I did marry you. There is a chance they will not pursue me because of that. If they think I am married, there is nothing either one can do, is there? Excellent.” The dimple in her right cheek showed when she smiled.

“You were not planning to force me to the altar?” Nightshade asked. He truly did not think she was. Yet, he enjoyed the irritation she so openly displayed when he asked his questions that he did so, on purpose. He scarcely remembered the last time he had enjoyed a waltz as much as he did last evening holding the prickly Miss Frost in his arms. He had been at his best, needling her at every opportunity.

“Marry you?” Violet asked in surprise. “Good heavens, no!”

“I was certain that was what you were about, hmm. I assure you it would take a pistol pointed at me to get me to the altar, or the anvil.”

“I’ll have you know, sir, you could make a worse choice in a wife than me. I assure you, I do not wish to marry you or any man. Men only want to control a woman. After living with my father, then my uncle and just what I’ve heard of Dinbeigh, I have no wish to be controlled, by anyone, ever again. Let me explain myself more clearly, Mr. Nightshade.” She moved the large pistol to her other hand, keeping it pointed at him. She had no wish to shoot Francis Nightshade. She wanted to make certain he had no intention of throwing her out of the carriage or returning her to her uncle first.

“Please, by all means, explain,” he remarked in a dry, sarcastic tone.

“As I mentioned earlier, I was as surprised as everyone else about my engagement. I learned while returning home from the ball last evening that Dinbeigh paid my uncle a large sum in order to wed me. I was sold like a piece of horseflesh. I am certain you have heard, no doubt all of London knows, there is no love lost between Old Frosty and me.”

“I pay no attention to gossip and idle chatter, Miss Frost. I do not see what any of this has to do with me.” That was a lie, he had to admit. He made a point to discover whatever he could about Miss Violet Frost since she literally ran into him that day three weeks ago. He didn’t know why, only that she irritated him so much, he wanted to know more. He could explain the physical attraction. The woman was stunning, with her pale skin, silvery hair and large eyes the color of the night sky. She was slender and dainty, delicately boned. If not for her delectable curves (and shrewish tongue), she would appear quite fragile.

“Quit interrupting me. If you please, sir, I am trying to explain myself to you.” Violet arched a pale, irritated brow at him.

“Of course, after one question. Your hand is trembling, there is truly no need to hold me at gunpoint, firstly because it is far too heavy a weapon for you and secondly, I believe you know me well enough to know I will not harm you. My question to you is this; do you even know how to shoot a pistol?”

“No, I have never fired a pistol in my life. I believe it is simply a matter of pulling the trigger, sir.”

She raised the heavy weapon a little higher to point at his chest again.

When he saw how her hands trembled and he remembered her propensity for calamity and mishaps, he commanded, “Put the damn thing down, Violet!”

“No. I never gave you permission to call me by my Christian name, Mr. Nightshade. Furthermore, I do not want you to stop the carriage and put me out. We are not far enough from London yet. I know you won’t hurt me or abuse me, but I am not convinced you won’t send me back to my uncle. I was trying to explain. Will you please let me continue?”

Nightshade nodded. “I am all ears, Miss Frost.” Her aim lowered to his midsection again as she began speaking.

“After I was surprised by the announcement of my engagement to Dinbeigh last evening, I knew I had to get away quickly. I remembered you said you were leaving for Scotland this morning. I will not marry Dinbeigh, and I will not allow my uncle to force another of his cronies on me as a husband. I could not get away on my own, safely, in any case. My uncle gives me only a trifling allowance, though my father’s will instructed I receive much more. Without funds, I could not get far. I decided to come to Scotland with you. I will find a post as governess or some such thing upon my arrival. I shall repay you for every cost of this journey when I am able to do so. I never thought about forcing you into marriage, why would I? You made it perfectly clear last evening that you are not the marrying sort. I am not the marrying sort. In addition, what little I already know of your character, I have concluded that you like to be in control of every situation, and I’ve already expressed my sentiments on that particular subject.”

Again, the pistol bobbed in her trembling hand. He swore he saw her finger tighten on the trigger as she tried to tighten her loosening grip on the weapon.

“Give me the damn gun, Violet! I have no plans to set you from my carriage. I would not leave a lady by the side of the road unattended, nor would I leave you to your own devices. With your propensity for accidents and clumsiness, I don’t see how you could possibly make it ten miles without disaster ensuing. I do not want to see any young woman marry Dinbeigh. Therefore, I offer my assistance to escort you to your destination.” He started to smile at her then realized she was glaring at him. And frowning. An angry frown. She was so prickly. Hot one minute and looking at him like she wanted to…well he didn’t really know what she wanted when she looked at him in that dewy-eyed way. He was left to fantasize. Within seconds, she could turn angry and bitter, glaring at him as if he had two heads. Like she was doing at this precise moment.

“I can change my mind and shoot you now,” she huffed. “You have no manners, Mr. Nightshade. Propensity for accidents and clumsiness. Really,” she sniffed in displeasure. “A gentleman doesn’t say such things to a lady.”

“A lady doesn’t sneak into a gentleman’s carriage, when he’s traveling to Scotland.”

Her displeasure at his comment brought a victorious smile to his lips.

He continued, “In the three weeks that I have known you, you have run into me, tripped me, nearly knocked me over, and you very nearly took out my eye with your parasol. The fact that you are clumsy and prone to accidents can’t be denied. If you do not approve of my manners, Violet, I can take you back to London and leave you to marry Dinbeigh. It would be my preference, actually. I am known for many things, but I don’t want to add kidnapper and the debauching of an innocent to my numerous and highly acclaimed, sinful accolades.”

“You are not going to debauch me. I have a pistol. Pointed at you.”

The pistol end lowered from aiming at his midsection to a place that caused Nightshade further alarm. She wasn’t even paying attention to where the weapon was pointed. She continued with her tirade.

“Besides, I much prefer to suffer your company for a short trip to Scotland as opposed to marriage to Dinbeigh for a lifetime.”

“I could take your pistol with very little effort. I could debauch you, even persuade you that you wish to be debauched,” Nightshade posed with a devilish grin. He was trying to frighten her. When the vision of Miss Violet Frost writhing beneath him came to him, it sent heat coursing through his body. To say he was bewildered by the powerful effect this little moon-kissed, sharp-tongued beauty had on him was an understatement. He didn’t like it. At all.

Violet now had both hands on the pistol. “Wait just one minute. I am pointing a pistol at you, Mr. Nightshade. I believe I am in charge here!” Violet’s dark blue eyes flashed with anger then grew wide as the carriage hit a bump and the pistol slipped and bobbled, nearly falling from her hands.

“Enough!” Nightshade growled. He leaned forward and easily took the large, heavy pistol from her. He shoved it beneath his seat. “If you aren’t concerned about killing me with that blasted thing, please know you could just as easily shoot yourself. You don’t need a pistol, Violet. I’m not taking you back to London. I’m not putting you out of the carriage. I’m not letting you out of my bloody sight. When we reach Scotland, we will be married. That will solve all of our problems.”

“What? It will certainly not solve my problem, Mr. Nightshade. I believe you have forgotten that I do not wish to marry. If I am forced to marry you, then that still presents a problem for me.”

“Princess, you have only two choices. Marry Dinbeigh, or marry me. I will honor whichever decision you make. You are not the only one whose reputation is in danger at this moment. Did you ever consider what your actions would do to my reputation?”

She blushed profusely and at least had the good grace to look remorseful.

“Aha, of course, you did not. This is all about you. I have a very important job to do in Scotland, and I do not wish to bring any more attention to myself than necessary while there. I don’t think I have to remind you of my already less than stellar reputation. I would prefer to keep my name from the gossips’ tongues. Once we marry, you can send a message to your uncle and to Lord Dinbeigh that you are now Mrs. Francis Nightshade. Neither one of them shall have any reason to pursue you, nor any recourse to force you to do anything. If you are married, neither your uncle nor Dinbeigh have any say in what you do or do not do. It is the only way you can escape the fate that currently awaits you.”

It would be freedom, with the exception of one thing. She would be married to Francis Nightshade. He would have a say in what she did. Although, he was a very handsome man, with quite a fine figure, Mr. Nightshade was a little surly and taciturn. And controlling. She did remember the way he looked at her last evening when they waltzed. His eyes were so dark and intense it was as if he was looking into her soul. She remembered how warm his hand felt as it rested upon her back and the rush of energy she felt when his thigh brushed hers. She shivered at the delicious memory.

“Can it be a marriage in name only?”

“No.”

“No?”

“No! The marriage must be consummated or it can be annulled.”

“Oh dear, what an absolute mess this has become. I actually thought you could just escort me to Scotland and let me go on about my business.” Violet frowned. “Will this be a real marriage? I thought you were against marrying.”

“I was. You are correct, Violet. I never planned to marry. Yet, I am in this predicament, thanks to you, and the only resolution that I see to benefit each of us and save both our reputations is if we marry before we reach Edinburgh. Any marriage is real and binding, even one performed in Scotland. As I said, it is of the utmost importance that as little attention as possible is drawn to me while we are in Edinburgh and wherever my journey may take us from there. I am tending to a matter of great import. We shall marry as soon as we cross the border. That will be in about four days depending on the weather.” He had decided a honeymooning couple would prove to be a great cover for the real reason he was going to Scotland.

He found it suddenly too warm in the carriage. He told himself that marrying this pale, little princess would not alter his life that much. After all, it wasn’t love that brought them to the altar. He was on a mission. She was on the run. Aside from doing the gentlemanly thing, for she was in his carriage and her reputation was already ruined for that reason, this was truly a business arrangement for them. This would be a good, solid cover for him while in Scotland. True she would still be his wife after this mission was finished, and they would remain married, but other than cohabiting, and hopefully, sharing a bed on occasion, they would both be free to do as they chose in their lives. He believed the fact that theirs was not a love match meant they could get along amicably. They could make their union work to benefit them both. She would be free from the constraints of her uncle and men who would use her as a pawn, have a generous allowance, and other than performing the duties of wife and mistress of his homes, there was naught else he required from her.

“Francis, I do not like that we have to wed. You shall not try to control me, will you?”

“Do not call me Francis. No one calls me, Francis.”

“Are we not to be wed? Doesn’t a married woman have the right to call her husband by the familiar? You insist on calling me Violet, I shall call you Francis.”

“No. One. Calls. Me. Francis,” he said through gritted teeth, “not even you, Princess.”

“Then what should I call you?”

A devilish gleam came to his eyes. If he did not know that suggesting the words Lord and Master would send her jumping out the carriage door, he would have suggested them just to see her reaction.

“You may call me Mr. Nightshade.”

“Even after we have married? How pompous you are.” She crossed her arms and glared at him.

He sighed. “Violet, I do not like to be called Francis. Those who I am close to call me Shade or Nightshade, it is that simple. You may call me one of those if you’d rather.”

“Very well, then. You may call me Miss Frost now, and once we marry, I shall allow you to call me Mrs. Nightshade. Unless of course you change your mind about marriage and let me go free upon our arrival in Scotland.”

“No, Miss Frost, in order to save both our reputations, we must marry.”

Nightshade realized that marrying Violet Frost might be a trifle more complicated than he initially thought. If the fact that they were arguing over what to call one another was any indication, he was in deep trouble. He sighed heavily. He could only hope that he had not been wrong about the passion inside her. For he was now sincerely hoping that once they married, he could at least keep her quiet in the evenings by diverting her attention with more sensual pleasures. His fantasies only included a silent Violet Frost who might utter a moan of pleasure now and again when she was beneath or astride him, not an angry, glaring beauty harping on him about every little detail!  

I hope you enjoyed the excerpt from unnamed Book 1, Secrets of the Shroud series. This book will be released in late 2014 or early 2015. Book 1 of the Rake of St. Nectan's will be released before this one, and after the final book of the Lords of Avalon series, Lords of Atonement. You can contact me on FB www.com/K.R.Richards.author or on the web at: http://mayitellyouastory.com or on twitter @kimmirichards.