Of Night and Dark Obscurity

“I never wished it nor wanted it.”

“Yet you have it all the same.”

“I’ll see you’re cared for.” Val offered.

“I’m going to visit my sister in France. I don’t think I’ll ever return to England.”

“That is your choice.”

“And you’ll marry this girl? This—Caroline?”

“Yes. In two months’ time,” Val confirmed.

“Their bodies won’t even be cold,” she said looking at him with hate.

“They’ll be cold enough.”

The slap echoed in the room and Val stared mutely at his mother.

“I was given nothing in this life but a name and some money. I made my life what it is. But you couldn’t be happy for me or support me. You nurtured this anger inside until I suspect it poisoned Rowland against me. You are much to blame here Madam.”

Arabella notched her chin up. “Enjoy your new title. Your new wealth. Your new bride. It seems you’ve gone to great lengths to earn it.”

Val sighed as he left his mother behind. He had never wanted this. He had never even suspected this outcome and now he felt cold, alone and lost. He hailed a cab and directed it to his mostly empty home. He saw the sky was a dull grey and a light fog covered the ground. When he walked into the foyer, he shrugged out of his coat.

He saw Caroline curled on the window seat smiling at him. She looked especially delicate in a deep blue gown with her hair pulled back.

Suddenly he realized that the family he left behind didn’t matter. They had chosen their paths and had paid the ultimate price with their lives. The family that mattered most to him was smiling before him.

“Val,” she smiled sweetly at him. “I’ve missed you. You’re finally home.”

He took

her in his arms and kissed her mouth. His fingers sifted through her hair and he felt a sense of calm come over him. “We both are.”

Excerpt

The Alchemy of Night

London, England

1870

Chapter 1

He watched her move to embrace another guest who had entered the room, and he admired the curve of her waist, her elegant neck and the beauty of her face. Her chestnut hair was pulled back and secured at the nape of her neck, which only accentuated it. She stepped back to allow the guests into the large drawing room while the maid took away their heavy cloaks.

She came to him then, and he smiled at her.

“Your party is a success, I believe,” he told her.

“Do you think so, Nigel? I’m so pleased,” Emme responded, turning to look at the small gathering of people as he studied her. The cobalt-blue gown looked especially fetching on her with its off-the-shoulder sleeves and her long white gloves. When she turned back to him, he found himself drowning in her blue eyes.

“What is it?” she asked.

“What do you mean?” he said, unsure of her question.

“You’re staring at me.”