Tuesday, June 22, 2010
The Importance of Being Seductive (The Importance of Being Earnest)
It takes a wallflower to learn the art of seduction…
Quiet and shy, Lady Anna Sherwood was a wallflower to all of
And an earl about to make a mistake…
All that begins to change the day Anna learns from her brother that the earl is about to propose to the devious, flirtatious Miss Gabriella Monroe. Knowing that Gabriella is only after the
For both to find happily ever after.
The Night Before Christmas
Curled up in bed beside her five-year-old niece, Sophie Warren read aloud from a recently published children’s book. “The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads…”
She paused when she heard a loud rap on her door. “Come in.”
Clara, their housekeeper, opened the door slightly. “Miss Sophia, there is a gentleman waiting for you in the library.”
“At this hour?” Sophie asked, incredulously. “Who would call on me this late?”
“He refuses to identify himself, but he wishes to speak with you. He says to tell you that he will not leave until he sees you,” Clara replied, her dark brown eyes twinkling, possibly from the reflection of the hearth.
Glancing down at Kelsie, Sophie said softly, “I’ll be back soon, sweetling. Will you be all right?”
Kelsie nodded, her large hazel eyes already closing with sleepiness. “Clara can finish reading to me. Will Mama and Papa be home tonight?”
“Not tonight. Maybe tomorrow, okay?” Sophie whispered, kissing Kelsie on the forehead. “Sweet dreams.”
Climbing out of bed, she handed Clara the book. The elderly woman settled down in a comfortable chair next to the bed and began to read the poem from the beginning. With a sigh, Sophie picked up the candle sitting on the table. She left the room, making her way down the stairs to the library where her mysterious midnight caller was supposedly waiting. Sophie wondered for a moment whether she ought to be worried. But then she shook her head to dismiss such ridiculous notions. Jacobs, their butler, was just down the hall from the library. He would hear if something were wrong. Nothing got past him, not even a mouse.
The door to the library was slightly ajar. Without hesitation, Sophie pushed the door open and stepped inside.
“Sophie.”
Her eyes widened at the sound of his voice. Sophie watched as he stood from the leather chair in front of the fireplace. She took a couple of steps forward in disbelief. “Damien? But… How can that be? They told me that you were dead…”
He shook his head. “A mistake.”
Tears welled up in her eyes. “Then where have you been all these months?! Why did you not send word home to let me or your family know that you were alive?!”
Damien closed the distance between them and pulled her into his arms. “I wanted to let you know myself. I did not realize that they had mistakenly informed you that I was dead until about a month ago. By then, it would have taken the same amount of time for a letter to reach you as it would if I returned home. I thought it better that I came home to show you that I was safe.”
Sophie buried her face in his chest and whispered, “I’m just glad you are safely home now.”
“Merry Christmas, Sophie,” he said softly and kissed her on the forehead.
Halloween Night
Walking along the beach, Anna shivered as an icy breeze brushed against her. She pulled her shawl tightly over her shoulders and folded her arms over her chest to keep warm. After several feet, Anna stopped and sat down on the sand. Drawing her knees to her chest, she wrapped her arms around her legs and rested her chin on her knees. Anna gazed out at the ocean, watching as mist drifted to shore. She glanced at her watch. Only a few minutes until Halloween was over.
With a sigh, Anna looked around. It wasn’t far from here that she lost everything she cared about a year ago. Her boyfriend Alex brought her here, a detour from the costume party they were planning to attend. He got down on one knee in the water and proposed under the moonlight on Halloween. What was supposed to be the most romantic night of her life turned into a nightmare.
Moments after Alex proposed, a strong wave came out of nowhere and swept them both out into the ocean. Anna had been lucky. Bystanders rescued her. But they never found Alex. She never got to say goodbye. A part of her hoped that he was still out there and that one day he’ll come back. But she knew better…
“Anna…”
Her eyes widened and she spun around, staring at a pale translucent Alex. Tears trickled down her cheeks. He kissed her on the lips, cold and barely there. Then he disappeared…
“Goodbye, Alex…”
Friday, December 19, 2008
A Christmas Wish
By Andrea Giang
Staring out the window at the snow-covered streets below, Lady Alyssa Hunt rested her hands on the icy cold glass. Every night for the past six months, she sat by the window wrapped in a warm blanket, gazing out at the streets, waiting. But there was still no sign of Jared. And Alyssa was running out of time…
“He’s not coming back, Alyssa,” her older brother, the Marquis of Wickham, said from behind her. “He’s making a fool of you.”
She turned around, her dark eyes flashing in anger. “There’s still two nights until Christmas Eve. Jared will come back.”
“You think a common thief will keep his word? He’s not like us. His promises mean nothing. He’s only toying with you. Why can’t you see that?”
“I have waited three years for him, Alex,” Alyssa said softly. “What makes you think I will give up now?”
“The entire ton is waiting to see you fall. I never should have agreed to give him a chance to prove his worth. It will only hurt you in the end.”
“Alex, he will come back. There is still time.”
“And if he doesn’t? What then?”
“He will come back,” Alyssa whispered. “He will.”
Her brother sighed then walked out of the room, leaving her alone with her thoughts. Gazing out the window, Alyssa bit her lower lip.
Star light, star bright, the first star I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish I might, have just one wish, I wish tonight. I wish Jared is safe, wherever he is.
Standing up, Alyssa blew out her candle and went upstairs to bed.
~*~*~ Christmas Eve ~*~*~
Taking a sip from her glass, Alyssa pretended she didn’t notice everyone watching her. She could feel their eyes following her as she crossed the ballroom to where her best friend, Hannah stood. “Ignore them. They have nothing better to do with their time.”
“I know,” Alyssa said softly. “I have felt their scrutiny the past three years. I think I am immune to it by now.”
“It’s because the majority of the ton cannot understand how you can give up everything you have ever known for someone they see as nothing more than a street urchin.”
“They want to gloat if they are right.”
“Which you can do when you prove them wrong,” Hannah said with a smile.
Her brother approached them quickly and said quietly, “Alyssa, the Earl of Auburn wishes to speak to you.”
“The Earl of
“You will want to meet him. He is waiting for you on the balcony.”
“But –”
Hannah pushed her towards the balcony. “Go.”
Her eyes widened at the smile both her brother and her friend gave her. Without further hesitation, Alyssa made her way to balcony. “Lissie.”
Stepping out of the shadows, Jared held his hand out. Running to him, Alyssa reached up and kissed him. “Welcome home.”
