The Art of Deception 45

The Art of Deception

or Pride and Extreme Prejudice

This week continues a spy story set in late Georgian England, the year before Trafalgar.  Alice remained silent last week, even though she had her doubts about the situation. This week ties up a few ends from the the first part of the book with the reappearance of Thomas, Roderick’s trusted valet/man of work/co-conspirator.

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“Good, glad to see you agree. … Roderick, your, ah, shipment arrived last month; wise move to send it separately.”

Roderick replied, “Thought it best if they came on a ship from Philadelphia. Good thing, you should have seen Captain Lewis’ face when he searched the packet ship off New York City. Came in on one of their faster ships at full speed, topsails and gallants fluttering, and stopped us on the Lower Bay. Of course, there was nothing to find. Thomas was already on his way.”

“I extracted the goods. Well done, I must add, that codebook and copy of Mr Jefferson’s machine will be most useful, and the F.O. appreciates your copy of the secret agreement about Louisiana and the possibility of using Colonel Burr for our ends. Always best to be one step ahead of the opposition.”

Roderick asked, “Where is Thomas?”

Now that you’ve read my hackery, please see the talented writers in Weekend Writing Warriors.

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My apologies for creative punctuation.

 

The Christmas (and by the way I hope you are having a good one, or if you don’t celebrate it a happy holiday season in any case. Io Saturnalia!) traditions we celebrate today really had their start in the Victorian era. There’s the Dickens to pay for that. Seriously, modern traditions stem from a sentimental resurgence in the 1820-1830’s coupled with some German traditions brought over by Prince Albert. Charles Dickens did his bit to bring them about.

That said, Christmas was a time to gather family, feast, and celebrate that you’d made it through another year.  Sounds like the right idea to me.

 

Still working on a cover idea – hard even though I’m a dashed good photographer (if I say so myself). That and editing the manuscript to put more description/reaction into it. (not to mention a few thousand words).

Frankenkitty is available.
 What happens when teenagers get to play with Dr Frankenstein’s lab notebooks, a few odd chemicals and a great big whopping coil? Mayhem, and possibly an invitation to the Transylvanian Neuroscience Summer School.

Like poor Cecelia, ” The Curious Profession of Dr Craven” is back from the dead.

I’ve released a sweet regency romance, Miss DeVere This is a fun read.

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.