by L Rollins
LEILA SLIPPED OUT of her wedding dress. But instead of putting on the lacy nightgown most brides wore on their wedding night, she changed into a simple black shirtsleeve and breeches.
Samuel came up from behind, also dressed in black, and wrapped his arms around her waist. “I don’t think your family will ever accept me,” he said without remorse before kissing her on the neck.
Stepping back, he eyed his bedchamber. “I’m fairly sure your father wishes he could run me through.”
Leila checked that her hair was secured back well enough to keep from being a nuisance as they rode across country. Wind blew fiercely outside, making the window knock. It was going to be a chilly ride.
“It’s just as well,” she said, placing one last pin. “They aren’t likely to speak much of us at dinner parties and the like. Which means they’re less likely to accidentally blow our cover.”
Her family still had no idea what she did, or even that she had a career. It was best that way. For them all.
Samuel rested against the vanity and leaned over, putting his face between hers and the mirror she was looking in.
“You are acting very brave, mon coeur.”
“At the risk of sounding boastful, I admit that I am quite fluent in French. But I don’t know what mon coeur means.”
“My heart.” He kissed her nose. “And don’t change the subject. I don’t believe that your family’s coldness isn’t affecting you.”
Leila sighed, allowing herself to acknowledge the sore ache in her heart for the first time. “I had hoped they would be more understanding.” Blast, she was about to cry. On her wedding night. She glanced up at the ceiling and blinked several times.
Samuel pulled her close. “It’s all right dearest; cry all you need.”
She shook her head and pulled back. “We don’t have time. We need to be out of here and well on our way before sunrise.”
“So long as we have time for this.” He leaned forward and gave her a quick kiss. “And this.” He kissed her again, less quick this time. “And this one.” He kissed her deeply, drawing her closer to him.
Leila laughed and pushed away. “Oh no, we don’t have time for that one.”
Together they moved over to the window and Leila opened it. The wind howled and bit against her nose and cheeks. Maybe she should have told him they did have time.
“Ready to be a spy?” she asked, tossing the rope they’d tied to his bedpost out the open window.
“See, I thought you promised no more window lurking.”
She straddled the windowsill, took hold of the rope tightly, and then, with feet against the outer wall, began her descent. “Sorry, dear. I thought it through, and this is the best way to leave unnoticed.”
She reached the forest floor and backed away from the rope. Samuel climbed down quickly.
“When everyone awakes in the morning and looks for us, they will find the letter,” Leila continued. “No one will begrudge a newlywed couple a few days, or months, without contact.”
A twig snapped behind them. “Is that what this is?” someone said. “A couple of love birds off for a tryst?”
Leila and Samuel turned. Amelia stood with hands on hips.
“Of course. What else would we be about?” Samuel wrapped his arm around Leila’s waist and began nibbling at her ear. “This what you were sneaking around hoping to see?”
“Oh, stop that.” Amelia nearly gagged.
Leila wanted to laugh. “What are you doing out here? It’s after midnight.”
“I caught wind that you two might already have an assignment.” Her tone sounded sad.
Samuel moved away from Leila and held his arms out. “Don’t worry about me, petite soeur. Leila has promised to protect me.”
Amelia smacked his arm, then stepped into his embrace. “I wish you could stay,” she whispered.
Why, the young woman looked near to tears. Leila moved toward the siblings and placed a hand on Amelia’s arm. “Samuel’s right. We’ll be just fine. And we’ll come back and visit you just as soon as we can.”
She let out a guffaw. “You mean as soon as London lets you.”
Samuel sighed dramatically. “It is a hard life, working as a soon-to-be internationally acclaimed spy.”
Amelia pulled back and wiped at her cheek with a hand. “If you do have time to visit, don’t come looking in Conques.”
“What?” Samuel and Leila said as one.
Amelia chuckled softly—probably at their mutual stunned expressions. “You two are made for each other.” Then she shook her head. “I’ve decided to leave Conques.”
“But, Amelia, you love it here.” Samuel sounded positively shocked.
“The ground is too saturated with mercury to grow anything that can be safely eaten. Every other farmer has conceded the need to leave. It costs too much to always be packing in food, so everyone else is leaving as well. The factory is remaining closed.” Amelia shrugged. “It’s time to move on.”
“Where will you go?” Samuel asked.
“America.” Amelia said with firm certainty.
Leila knew Amelia to be a hard worker and smart with money. But she would be stepping into a very different world across the ocean. “That will be a big change.”
“I know,” Amelia said. “But I’m ready for it.”
Samuel hugged his sister again. “Be safe. I promise to come find you someday soon.”
“Please do,” she whispered. Then, with a sad smile, Amelia moved back into the small house.
Leila looked over at Samuel; his expression was a mixture of worry and longing.
She wrapped her arms around him. “She’ll be okay.”
“I feel terrible leaving her, again, right when her life is upending itself . . . again.”
Leila leaned against his chest. “It seems we are both leaving behind family, in more ways than one.”
He kissed the top of her head, and his joviality was back. “Oh, but you and I are family now, Madame Rowley. You are mine and I’m not giving you back.”
She quirked her lips to the side and gave him a saucy smile. “Then I hope you know how to hold me tight, because we’re about to embark on the wildest adventure imaginable.”
He kissed her deeply. “Lead on, Leila. Lead on.”
The End
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When it comes to defending her family,
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Other Books By
L. G. Rollins
Steam and Shadow Series
Clockwork Image
Waltz of the Crows
Buried In Blue
Masked By Moonlight (available at LGRollins.com)
Zaad Stone Series
Shadows of Angels
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Writing Waltz of the Crows has been an exciting roller coaster ride. There have been many people beside me as I’ve gone through the ups and downs.
A special thank you goes to my various writing groups, especially to Callie Stoker. You all ar
e wonderful—I’ve learned so much from each of you.
Thank you to those who have helped make this manuscript a beautiful book. My cover artist, Les and my line editor, Jen Proctor.
The award of Most Support Given, as always, goes to my loving husband with close-second awards going to each of my kids. Thanks for being patient when I say, “One minute, I need to finish this scene”. I know I say it a lot.
Most of all, thank you to my Father in Heaven; He gives me breath each day and answers to my struggles.
Thank you to you all.
For L. G. Rollins, conversations regarding Schrodinger’s cat, the effects of scientific advancements on politics, and whether Infinity is better categorized as a number or an idea are all quite commonplace. To be short, she is an unapologetic nerd. Mix in her love of whimsy and the unusual, and you get Steam and Shadow, a steampunk series of science, sweet romance, and unexpected adventures.
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