The Heart of Darkness

by Odelia Floris

  ‘Now, now, Richard…’ she sighed, and was about to caress his neck but stopped, fearful of hurting him.

  He pulled the opening of his partially undone doublet and shirt wider, then took her hand firmly in his and placed it onto his right shoulder. ‘See, it does not hurt. Your touch is not painful to me.’

  She relaxed her hand a little and tentatively explored the long, deep scar running across the front of his shoulder.

  A few moments later her concentration was broken when she caught his eye. The knowing glint there was undeniable.

  ‘What?’ she laughingly demanded.

  ‘You are very good. That is most pleasant.’

  Matching his darkly knowing smile with one of her own, she maneuvered his head off her lap, stretched out beside him and moved her hand back into his shirt, a little lower this time. ‘Indeed…’

  He let out a sigh of pleasure and settled himself comfortably against her. ‘I met Lord Cunningham in Hartfield last week. After sourly congratulating me on my upcoming nuptials, he went on to say that he felt it was only fair to warn me his niece was a most headstrong and at times downright wild girl. ‘Do not spare the rod,’ said he, ‘or you will bring trouble onto your head and dishonour onto your house!’’

  A distasteful sniff almost worthy of Lady Cunningham greeted this news. ‘Really. And what did you say?’

  ‘I replied that my betrothed gave me a regular hiding at chess, but was yet to overpower my person, my bodily strength being much greater than her own.’

  ‘Hmmm…is that so? This morning my white queen took your black rook, and this afternoon…’ She slipped a leg over him and moved upright to sit astride him. ‘I capture the castle.’

  The glittering velvet-black eyes danced with fond laughter. ‘Yes, I think you have indeed captured the castle.’ He looked at the gold ring encircling the third finger of his right hand. ‘The cunning little fox has well and truly defeated its menacing dark lord, who surrenders unconditionally.’

  ‘So, now that I am master of the castle, I shall expect—nay, demand—that its vanquished lord pays me the homage my exalted status is due,’ said Rowena, with a princess-worthy air.

  ‘Most noble conqueror and revered mistress, your victory is complete. Where once dark, twisted shapes flitted in the shadows of my cold halls, cries echoed from my subterranean dungeons and nameless fears cowered in my black chambers, now they are filled only with your light, with the sunbeams that dance about you, with the music of your laugh and with the scent of roses that ever surrounds you.’

  She smiled archly. ‘This pleases the lady of the castle. Such words will get you far, underling!’

  And looking up at his wife’s smiling face surrounded by the halo of primroses, apple blossoms and mayflowers that made up her garland, Sir Richard felt happier on that sunny spring afternoon than he had ever felt before.

  While he watched with deliciously drowsy joy, she slowly, teasingly undid the rest of the buttons and laces on his doublet and shirt.

  ‘Is the conquering heroine pleased by her spoils?’

  She ran her hands down the warm, hard contours of his naked torso. ‘Yes, oh yes. The castle’s new owner is most pleased by its fine stonework.’

  ‘What magic spell were you born of, what elfin charm or angel’s wish, my dearest little pixie?’ he sighed, placing his hand over the hand she rested on his breast.

  ‘I was dreamed into being in the cosmic bosom, I fell to earth with the raindrops and the falling stars, I rested in earth’s embrace, I grew up towards the sun with the sprouting seed and up towards the moon with the flowing sap, then I fell over you in the shadows and together we strove once more for the light…’

  He smiled a drowsily bemused smile. ‘Is that another of your mystic sibylline utterances which no mere mortal can unravel?’

  Her laughing green eyes positively danced with mirth. ‘Yes, O goose-brained one.’

  ‘Just shut up and kiss me.’

  She laughed her merry, lilting laugh and leaned forward.

  ‘God I love you…’ he breathed.

  ‘I—love—you—too,’ she murmured back, between kisses.

  Lying blissfully on the warm hillside in the spring sunshine, Sir Richard breathed in the intoxicating scent of nectar and crushed grass, and the violet-sweet scent of Rowena’s hair, which brushed against his face as she leaned over him. Beneath him was the firm earth of the place that now was as dear a homeland to him as ever any native soil wherein rested the bones of countless forebears was to a man. And pressing down from above was the soft yet determined weight of the woman he loved. He felt as if held between the embrace of the earth and the heavens. And the smiling face of his dearest, most beloved spouse was its life-and-light bestowing sun.

  He abandoned himself to her exquisitely caressing touch and let the lingering kisses she pressed to his sighing skin set him adrift in a sea of bliss. ‘Your love is to my heart what the sweetest, tenderest, most longed-for rain is to the parched dry earth…’ he murmured. ‘Like rain from heaven…’

  The End

  Thank you for reading!

  Dear Reader,

  I hope you enjoyed reading The Heart of Darkness. It is a story I greatly enjoyed writing. I have spent many happy hours laughing and crying along with its characters (honestly, anyone sitting in the room with me while I wrote would have thought me quite mad!).

  And now I would like to ask you a favour. If you enjoyed The Heart of Darkness, please review it on Amazon. Here is the direct Amazon.com link: http://amzn.to/1MPo9jL

  And here is the Amazon UK link: http://amzn.to/1D2gUEF

  Nothing makes an author’s day quite like reading a good review does. So please go onto Amazon and pen a review. Remember, your voice is important; reader reviews on Amazon do a lot for a book’s success. Go on, make my day!

  If you found errors with this book’s formatting or came across a typo or other error, please email me at odeliafloris@gmail.com with details of the problem. I work hard to make my books as good as I can. I want to know about any problems so I can fix them.

  I love to hear from my readers. We authors do it all for you, the reader, so we always like to receive your feedback – the good, the bad, the ugly. You can drop me a line at odeliafloris@gmail.com visit me on the web at www.odeliafloris.com, find me on Facebook or on Google +.

  After having put Sir Richard through so much, I was hesitant about planning a sequel, as the poor man had already had so many problems that it seemed cruel to bring him back for another bout. But by the time I had finished The Heart of Darkness, I knew there had to be a sequel. In The Cockcrow Curse, you will see a lot more of Pepin, Everild and Anne, and meet Goatan the creepy tax-fraud investigator, Gliglois the beautiful but shifty squire, the exasperating ‘Fox of Forest-Hall’, find out who the mysterious Glymewood-dwellers are, and much more… The Cockcrow Curse is currently under production. To be notified when it is available, please join my email mailing list: (you will not be spammed, I promise!) http://www.odeliafloris.com/#!subscribe/c1z6m

  If you enjoyed this book, I am sure you will enjoy some (or perhaps all!) of my other novels. You will find information on them below, with links to buy.

  Thank you so much for reading The Heart of Darknessand for spending time with me. I hope we get together again soon.

  With gratitude,

  Odelia Floris

  MY OTHER BOOKS

  I enjoy writing a range of genres and settings. I know many readers happily stick to a few favourite genres, but I hope you are willing to be adventurous too. All of my books are available on Amazon, in both Kindle and paperback editions. And currently, all of them are available to read via Kindle Unlimited. Happy reading!

  Beguile Me Not

  ‘It is woven expertly. We experience late 19th century New Zealand through magical imagery – the use of metaphor is amazing. This book is crafted beautifully and intelligently.’

  ‘Described with the adoring touch of a poet,’ was how
one reviewer described the New Zealand setting of this Victorian literary romance. ‘I was enthralled by the telling of this story’, said another. This full-length novel is atmospheric, filled with image-rich language, and peopled with uniquely delineated characters. Come and find shattering, life-changing love at the ends of the earth.

  BUY IT ON AMAZON

  BUY IT ON AMAZON UK

  VIEW THE BOOK TRAILER

  In Want of a Wife: A Sweet Regency Romance Novella

  Take a journey back in time, and accompany two country young sisters as they negotiate their first London Season of husband-hunting. Vivacious, impulsive Arielle could not be more different than her shy, timid, cautious younger sister Rosa. But this wallflower soon finds herself attracting attention from a very unexpected quarter, and facing a decision which will change her life forever… A clean Regency read that is traditional, but with a fresh twist.

  BUY IT ON AMAZON

  BUY IT ON AMAZON UK

  Inspiration and Wisdom from the Pen of Ralph Waldo Emerson: Over 600 Quotes

  A collection of the great 19th century American thinker’s best and most popular quotes. His insightful, wisdom-filled words are as relevant now as when they were written over 150 years ago. If you are looking for profound yet simple maxims to live by, this book will be an invaluable friend and guide.

  BUY IT ON AMAZON

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  The Little Demon Who Couldn’t

  A wickedly funny Victorian urban fantasy novel. This is a children’s chapter book. But don’t let that fool you into thinking it is not for you. I love some children’s books just as much as I love adult fiction. Why should we miss out while kids have all the fun? This witty, quirky, spooky, devilish little tale is not just for children, it is for everyone!

  BUY IT ON AMAZON

  BUY IT ON AMAZON UK

  Beguile Me Not Sample

  Anna had only just made her entrance when a frilly-capped head poked around the corner of the door. ‘Sorry to bother you, Miss Anna, but what do you want me to do with that evening gown lying on the washhouse floor?’

  Anna turned calmly to Molly. ‘I want you to burn it.’

  The maid’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. ‘Burn it?’

  ‘Yes, burn it,’ Anna repeated stonily.

  Looking a little disturbed, Molly bobbed. ‘Right you are, Miss Anna!’

  When the housemaid’s light, hurrying footsteps had receded in the direction of the laundry, Anna turned her attention to the scene before her.

  On the turf tennis court in front of the veranda, the game was already in progress. The three white-frocked Miss Deans were engaged in a vigorous game of doubles. Mr Sleighman, who appeared to be having some difficulty keeping up with the furious speed of the young Dean girls, made up the numbers.

  The loud, brash chorus of dozens of lazily chirping cicadas filled the hot, still air. Just watching the enthusiastic sport played out under the beating sun made Anna feel hot and tired. She sunk into one of the cane chairs sitting on the veranda.

  After only a few minutes, footsteps approached from inside. She would know that tread anywhere. It was Ivanovsky’s. She tensed.

  A moment later, he was standing before her holding out a tray containing tall glasses of lemonade and a plate of Turkish delight. ‘Drink?’

  She smiled a faint, guarded smile and took one of the cool glasses. ‘Thank you.’

  The informality of Ivanovsky’s dress shocked her. He wore a white shirt, the sleeves rolled up almost to the elbow, a red and blue paisley silk waistcoat, completely unbuttoned, and a horrifically casual blue silk necktie knotted in a voluminous bow. At least Mr Sleighman did not turn up at parties half-dressed.

  He sat the tray down on a low table and chose the chair opposite her own.

  Anna suddenly became aware that Ivanovsky was quietly laughing. At her, it seemed. She frowned crossly. ‘What?’

  ‘Even at little outdoor gathering in the heat of summer, in remote part of remote little colony, you English tut-tut about a gentleman taking his jacket off.’ He laughed softly, shaking his head.

  Anna turned her head away sulkily. ‘Is that all Russians turn up for; to laugh at us English?’

  ‘You had a bad trip?’ The warm, low voice was now deadly serious.

  She kept her head turned. ‘What nonsense you talk. I have been nowhere.’

  ‘Not your body. But during the night your mind has, I think, traversed a great many miles in the enthralling embrace of your beloved opium angel.’

  Anna’s heart jumped with shock, but there was clearly no point trying to deny it. She took a miserable sip of lemonade and stared down at her hands. ‘Are all Russians mind readers as well as slovenly dressers?’

  ‘I had friend in St Petersburg who was opium eater. Your enslavement is written in your face.’

  Without meaning to, she looked up. ‘What…what happened to him?’

  ‘He became ever more enamoured with opium, until day came when he did nothing but lie about stupefied. Then one morning I come to his apartment and…he is cold and dead.’ Ivanovsky gazed sadly into the distance. ‘Yuri was talented poet and kind-hearted man. It was such waste…such terrible waste…’

  ‘I am sorry for your loss.’

  His eyes suddenly fixed on hers. ‘Anya, do not throw away the life that has been given to you.’

  She looked him squarely in the eye for the first time since the ball. ‘What if I hate the life that has been given to me?’

  ‘You hate the iron straightjacket of convention you insist on forcing yourself into every day.’

  She turned away angrily. ‘You know nothing of my life!’

  ‘I know everything about your life, little darling. It is written in your sad grey eyes,’ came the gentle reply.

  She coldly, calmly looked at him again. ‘This is how I have chosen to live my life. Wild behaviour and irresponsibility are not for me. I have chosen to be a dutiful and obedient daughter and good Christian rather than pursue my own selfish desires.’

  He smiled sadly. ‘Anya, you have not chosen this life. You are merely too afraid to live any other life.’

  She stiffened. ‘Are you calling me a coward?’

  ‘Yes.’ Laughing his soft, deep laugh, he held out his hand. ‘Here, you can slap me if you feel insulted.’

  For more, get Beguile Me Not now on Amazon

  (Kindle Unlimited and Amazon Prime subscribers read for free)

  www.odeliafloris.com

  Table of Contents

  .1. The Fall

  .2. The Darkness Comprehended it Not

  .3. Hell, Heaven and Uncertainty are Visited

  .4. Pride Takes a Fall

  .5. Death and the Maiden

  .6. Surprises from Demons, Angels and Unknowns

  .7. Lightning Strikes Again and a Phoenix Arises

  .8. Fear in the Forest and at the Feast

  .9. Nocturnal Nightmares See the Light of Day

  .10. The Revelation of the Night

  .11. Lest your Heart’s Blood Should Run Cold

  .12. Vengeance is Thine

  .13. Sir Richard has a Brush with Vice, Virtue and a Cooking Pot

  .14. The Spirit’s Morning Call

  .15. Desolation

  .16. Men of Iron

  .17. Entombment

  .18. The Castle of the Skull Receives a Ludicrous Challenge

  .19. Hope is Faithful

  .20. The Face of Evil

  .21. Hang Ups and Let Downs

  .22. The Heart of Ice and the Heart of Fire

  .23. Glymewood in the Red Dawn

  .24. Saint George for Justice

 

 

 
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