The Art of Deception
or Pride and Extreme Prejudice
Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors. This week I continue another book, that will eventually come out via booktrope. It’s a spy story set in late Georgian England, the year before Trafalgar. Last week, Alice’s Uncle Grey found her tutor, a Madame Rene. Madame Rene made it very clear that Lord Grey is a slippery character, and not to be trusted. I skip where Madame Rene and the local vicar Mr Willis confront Alice, her mother, and Lord Grey with their concerns. As a matter of insurance, since a season in London is something that cannot be lightly refused, Alice’s bosom friend Sally Willis is to accompany them. Alice also agrees to write at least weekly with letters that must be posted from London. The day before they depart, Lord Grey has a present for Sally. Lord Grey takes a package from his saddlebag and Alice asks him about it.
“For Miss Willis, you greedy girl; some Turkish Delights from London.”
“What a good present, she adores them.”
“And you?”
“No, too sweet for me; I can barely stand them.”
“So I remember.”
Alice puzzled out her uncle’s face.
“What’s that about, Niece?”
“Nothing, it’s just odd that you’d choose a present that Sally loves and I loathe.”
“Well, I try to meet the tastes of my recipients; all the more for her.”
Sally was overjoyed to receive the candy; she immediately had a piece, and then offered it to both Lord Grey and
Alice; Alice politely refused, while Lord Grey took one particular piece, from a corner of the box.
Please see the other talented writers in Weekend Writing Warriors.
Lord Grey’s offer to Alice isn’t quite what it seems. Don’t take candy from strange men.
I’ve also released a sweet regency romance, Miss DeVere This is a fun read, and unlike “The curious profession of dr craven
” seems to not carry a curse.
Frankenkitty is available.
What happens when teenagers get to play with Dr Frankenstien’s lab notebooks, a few odd chemicals and a great big whopping coil? Mayhem, and possibly an invitation to the Transylvanian Neuroscience Summer School.
Get Free Stuff and try out my landing page. There are three free complete short stories (including an ARC for Frankenkitty) available after you’ve gone through the hoops.
Oh, dear! I bet it has something in it to make Sally sleep!!!
Slippery Lord Grey, indeed.
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Hmm, seems like there’s a mystery here. It was definitely no accident he used Turkish Delights and picked that particular one in the corner.
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Something tells me Lord Grey knows exactly what he’s doing. The only questions are firstly what the sweets will do to poor Sally, and secondly why?
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All so very intriguing, mysterious and unusual, which makes me want to read more right away! Excellent excerpt…
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I’d love someone who knows more about books and writing than I do to take a look at the story (it’s in the can awaiting an edit.) I’d be glad to reciprocate.
Lord Grey needs to drive off with Alice on her own. So yes the candy is laced with something to take Sally out of circulation. (Don’t pity her, she meets the love of her life because of it). Anyone know what Jalap resin and Calomel do? – Dr. Benjamin Rush prescribed large pills of it as his “thunderclaps” for Lewis and Clark. It cleaned them out, and archeologists tracked their campsites by the mercury that they left behind.
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Uh oh. I don NOT like the way he picked out one particular piece of candy. I can’t help but think of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, in which Edgar’s love of Turkish Delight caused him trouble by sucking him into the witch’s control.
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