“You don’t understand.” Elizabeth’s fingers linked with Rachel’s. “You don’t know what he’s like. If he suspects something...”
The rest of Elizabeth’s words were cut off when a shot rang out sending a flock of ducks exploding into the night sky. It also sent Geoffrey crumbling to his knees.
Rachel’s head whipped round toward the shore in time to see the man standing there, a pistol in each hand. “Arthur.” His name escaped her on a gasp as another report sounded. Rachel felt the jolt of the ball slamming into her cousin through their linked hands. Then Liz fell forward, the weight of her body sending Rachel plummeting off the pier into the lake.
Panic seized Rachel the instant she hit the frigid water. The lake embraced her as surely as if it had tentacle-like arms, dragging her down. She fought, struggling in its grip until her limbs grew weak. Screams for help thundered in her ears but succeeded only in filling her mouth with the foul taste of death.
She tried to think. It was the heavy gown that caused her to sink, the silver lace and metal hoops. If she could only rid herself of her clothing. But it had taken three maids nearly an hour to dress her and no amount of wriggling could undo their accomplishment.
She was dying. Her chest burned, the pain near unbearable. Then suddenly it was gone. So was the frigid water and the awful fear. All that remained was a slightly dizzying spin, spiraling her upward. And calm. Blessed calm.
“You’ve done it now. You are an idiot.”
“But how was I to know she’d go after her cousin? It wasn’t at all like her.”
“Haven’t you learned anything since you’ve been here? Mortals are full of surprises.”
“Especially this one.”
How annoying they were, Rachel thought as she tried to ignore the argument. They threatened to ruin an otherwise wonderful experience. The dark that surrounded her was soft and soothing. And up ahead a white light shone so blindingly pure and warm that it should have hurt her eyes. Except that she had no eyes, or body either.
She simply existed.
Never before had she felt so accepted, so cared for. Love surrounded her, flowed through her as she drifted about. Content, though anxious to move toward the light. At peace except—
“What are we to do?”
“Would you cease your whining? And what do you mean we?”
“Surely you plan to help me.”
“I shall remind you again. It was your mistake.”
“But I’m merely an apprentice. You were to guide me. And I only glanced away for a moment.”
“Stop it!” She’d had enough of their bickering. Of them disturbing her. But Rachel hadn’t meant to yell at them. Actually she hadn’t yelled. It was as if she communicated with them on some plane other than the spoken word. Whatever it was, they both seemed stunned by her scolding. At least they were silent for a moment. That is until the whiner started again.
“See, I told you she was trouble.”
“You didn’t say trouble, merely unpredictable, and that I will readily concede.” He sighed “The question is what is to be done.”
“Done about what?” Rachel decided she must help them solve their dilemma if she was to have any peace.
“About you, of course.”
“Yes,” the whiner agreed in an accusing tone. “It wasn’t your time to die.”
“Die? But I’m not d—” Rachel couldn’t complete her denial. For as difficult as it was to accept... she didn’t feel dead... in her heart she knew it was true. But where were the things she’d been led to expect? The host of heavenly angels? Or, God forbid, the fiery brimstone? And Rachel had another question. “What happened to Liz?”
“She’s gone on, as has her soulmate Geoffrey.”
Rachel knew instinctively the spirit meant gone on toward the light. The radiant light that shimmered just out of reach. “Then send me on,” Rachel insisted. “I’m ready to go.”
“If only it were that simple.”
For the first time Rachel felt an inkling of fear. “You can’t mean I’m destined for... for hell?” At that moment her soul seemed awash with memories of her life. To Rachel’s discomfort, some shone less than sterling in the pure light of the afterworld. There was the time she lied to her mother about how she scraped her knee. And then there was gossip. She was quite fond of court intrigue and never hesitated to pass any crumb of information along to Liz. And she wasn’t very pious. Or charitable. Just last week she passed by an alms seeker pretending not to see the wretched man. And then there was—
“Oh, do stop your reminiscing. I don’t care to review all your misdeeds. Besides, you’re not destined to eternal damnation.”
Thank God, Rachel thought with a sigh of relief.
“Precisely. But never mind that now. Didn’t you hear what Ebenezer said? It wasn’t your time to die.”
Ebenezer? The spirits had names? Rachel pushed that thought aside. The answer to the problem seemed simple enough. It wasn’t her time to die, so.... “Send me back to life.”
“It isn’t that easy.”
Ebenezer agreed. “You’ve passed over.”
“But it was a mistake. You said so yourself. Your mistake.” Her temper... another of her faults if she were honest... was upon her.
“I’m only an apprentice.”
Rachel was preparing her next argument, after all, none of this was her fault, when the other spirit interrupted.
“There is something we might do.” He paused just long enough to garner Rachel and Ebenezer’s attention. “Perhaps if she earned her way back.”
“Of course.” Ebenezer sounded relieved. But then the whiny edge returned to his thoughts. “Do you think He will agree to it?”
“We shall see. There are precedents, of course. We must speak with Him straightaway.”
Rachel felt the force of the two spirits leaving her. “Wait!” She wasn’t sure she liked this turn of events any more than she liked the ones that brought her here. “What do you mean precedents? What must I do to earn my way back?”
Off in the distance near the light she felt the spirits pause. Then the one who seemed to be in charge answered. “It’s very simple, actually. You need only save the life of another lost soul.”
Other Books by Christine Dorsey
written under the name:
Christine Elliott
The Captain’s Conquest,
written under the name:
Christine Dorsey
The Traitor’s Embrace
Southern Nights
Bold Rebel Love
The Captain’s Captive
The Rebel’s Kiss
Sea Fires
Sea of Desire
Sea of Temptation
Sea of Christmas Miracles (novella)
My Savage Heart
My Seaswept Heart
My Heavenly Heart
Splendor
The Renegade
The Rebel
The Rogue
By the Book
Under His Spell (novella)
The Way to a Man’s Heart (novella)
A Bride’s Desire (novella)
Rave Reviews
My Savage Heart
“My Savage Heart will leave readers breathless and eagerly anticipating the remaining novels in this new trilogy. Ms. Dorsey has created another incredible hero and a wonderful love story.”
~ Romantic Times
“As always, Christine Dorsey can be counted on to give us a tale full of adventure and romance. My Savage Heart is a poignantly written, emotion-packed read that will touch your heart. Her full-bodied characters and well-written storyline will have you engrossed from the first page to the very last.”
~ Affaire de Coeur
Sea of Temptation
“In Sea of Temptation, the sensational conclusion to her outstanding Charleston Trilogy, Christine Dorsey demonstrates why she is one of the most talented authors of the genre today: strong, unforgettable characters, rousing adventures, and hi
story combine to create “keepers.”
~ Romantic Times
“Ms. Dorsey’s hero and heroine are both strong-willed individuals and their misunderstandings add some very funny situations to this action-packed historical. On the other hand, their fiery passion will send your temperature rising. An outstanding, conclusion to a fascinating series on the Blackstones.”
~ Rendezvous
Sea of Desire
“Christine Dorsey has written a tale of passion, adventure, and love that is impossible to put down. Her heroine is feisty and her hero will leave you breathless. Sea of Desire is a book you shouldn’t miss and will ,need some space on your keeper shelf. it is marvelous!”
~ Affaire de Coeur
“Blazing passion, nonstop adventure, and a “be-still-my-beating-heart” hero are just a few of the highlights of this captivating second novel in Ms. Dorsey’s Charleston Trilogy. Sea of Desire is not to be missed!”
~ Romantic Times
Sea Fires
“From the instant Miranda and Jack meet, you know this is going to be a very special relationship and that Sea Fires is going to be a very special book. If this auspicious romance is any indication, the Charleston trilogy is destined to be an excellent series from Christine Dorsey’s sparkling pen. Be sure not to miss Sea Fires!”
~ Romantic Times
“Sea Fires is well plotted, sensual, and a pure delight!”
~ Affaire de Coeur
“There is an undercurrent of dry wit and many humorous incidents that make this swashbuckling romance a most enjoyable reading adventure. Ms. Dorsey spins quite a talc.”
~ Rendezvous
Kansas Kiss
“Kansas Kiss is a tender, moving novel that touches the heart. M Dorsey’s star shines brighter than ever.”
~ Romantic Times
The Captain’s Captive
“Make room on your “keeper” shelf for The Captain’s Captive. This mesmerizing novel has it all: rousing adventure, intriguing plot, and enchanting lovers sure to please lucky readers.”
~ Romantic Times
“From first page to last, the word for this book is captivating, it has all the ingredients for an excellent read. Adventure, verbal battles, sensuous love scenes, humor and above all, it’s well written. This one is a keeper.”
~ Rendezvous
Traitor’s Embrace
“A bang-up story full of adventure, humor, wonderful characters, and an interesting time period. This is one you shouldn’t miss.”
~ Rendezvous
About the Author
Christine Dorsey lives in Richmond, Virginia with her proof that there are “happily ever afters”, her husband of forty-four years, Chip. She has three grown children, a son and daughter-in-law, and four of the most delightful grandchildren imaginable... just ask her. She also has a Springer Spaniel puppy, Stella, who keeps the household more than lively. Besides her family and friends, reading, writing and love of the sea are her passions. The author of seventeen books and four novellas with more to come, Christine loves to share the stories and characters that had Romantic Times Magazine calling her “one of the most talented authors in the genre.” You can follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Blog and her website, www.christinedorsey.com
Table of Contents
My Seaswept Heart
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Epilogue
Reader letter
Excerpt: My Heavenly Heart
Titles
Reviews
Christine Dorsey
My Seaswept Heart Page 31