Unveiling Love: A Regency Romance (A London Regency Romantic Suspense Tale Book 2)

by Vanessa Riley

  No answer. Not even a whimper.

  As the road changed from dirt to paved to cobble, Barrington slumped in his seat and counted the blessings he'd almost lost, the one's still at stake like his wife's respect. What would he tell Amora? And what was he to do with a wanted man, one half-dead in his senses?

  Sneak Peak: Episode III

  Episode II of Unveiling Love

  Length: 8 Chapters (30,000 words)

  Summary: The Truth and Shades of Gray

  Barrington Norton has always made the right decisions but desperation, lies, and unexpected truths make things go terribly wrong. Can London's top mulatto barrister save Amora, himself, and their loved ones from ruin?

  Amora Norton has come to terms with her abduction and forgiven her Egyptian mother of betrayal, but hasn't the strength to do the same for Barrington or God. Can finding a lost friend and discovering an unexpected blessing be enough to make her whole?

  Yet, all their efforts to solve the crime of the century may be for naught. A divided couple is the perfect prey for a criminal wanting sins wiped away.

  Pre-order/order the next Episode which releases March 2016. Join my newsletter to stay informed and if you liked this please leave a review.

  Here's your sneak peak at the next episode.

  Chapter One: Trouble and Truth

  The cup of warm tea mother made from the peppermint leaves sat on Amora's bed table. If she sipped it, the potion would make her eyes heavy and her lids droop, but sleep was not what she wanted. Every nerve was on edge. Barrington hadn't come home.

  A groan welled inside. Why was she worrying about him? The man was levelheaded, detail oriented, and decisive. That's why he couldn't understand weakness or desperation.

  She blew out a breath. He'd been so sweet tonight, so gallant, even a bit hurt at her not giving in to a kiss. Oh how she wanted too. The feel of him, with arms holding her tight, was as addictive as opium.

  The draw to him would remain no matter how much she wished it to lessen, she knew that now. If not for the irksome Cynthia, she might have surrendered to the heat in his eyes. A last kiss would no doubt lead to another, then to needing him. Then to crushing disappointment on both sides.

  She craned her ear to the window glass. Nothing, not even a lone horse.

  Where was he? Had he found Sarah? Was he in trouble?

  She tugged her thick woolen robe tighter about her waist and started pacing again. Every noise made her teeth chatter. Her muscles coiled tighter. Oh, Barrington.

  Opening her window, she heard nothing, saw nothing except blackness and swirling fog. Maybe if she went down to the parlor, she could peak from behind the curtains for a better view of the street. She plodded to her door but couldn't grip the crystal knob. What would she say to Barrington when he came inside? What if he were hurt, or never returned at all? What if the monster killed him like he promised to? Barrington hurt, dying in a pit.

  She blinked her eyes hard as nausea flooded her stomach. Dropping to her knees, she lowered her face into a wastebasket. The duck dinner and maybe breakfast flowed out. When the heaving stopped, she crawled to her vanity and washed her mouth with rose water. The mirror reflected an ashy complexion and lines beneath her eyes. What was she doing to herself?

  The monster had disappeared and Barrington could take care of himself. Her husband was strong and courageous. He didn't need her wearing herself to a thread fretting, or worse, losing control of her reason.

  Tip, tap, she clapped her nails along the glass top of the vanity, and listened to the repetition ring out in the stillness. The dreadful rhythm of being alone.

  Where was he?

  Why couldn't she turn off the caring or the fear?

  Would this feeling go away or at least lessen when she returned to Tomàs Manor?

  She pushed at her spilling chignon and rinsed her mouth again. How could she turn off this part of her heart before it made her that nervous creature again? It wasn't fair to make Barrington or mother suffer if she became so needy.

  A creak and heavy footfalls sounded below, but no carriage noises. The front door hadn't opened. Barrington?

  Juggling a heavy Dresden rhinoceros and candlestick, she rushed her threshold, turned the knob and slipped to the stairs. The lower level remained dark. Breathless, she pushed forward. Her bare feet slapped against the treads.

  Light edged Barrington's study. He must be home. How did she miss his carriage? She pivoted to return to her chamber but then swiveled back. She had to see his face. That would let her know all was well, then her spirit would ease.

  Pulse pounding, she trudged down the hall, humming away her angst. Amazing Grace. How sweet. She timed her steps and breathing to the rhythm. Tonight, just walking in the dim light of Mayfair unnerved her, sending a shiver to her limbs.

  She pressed on his door and opened it.

  Her gaze locked onto Barrington. He paced within, and kept moving as if he hadn't noticed her.

  Her heartbeat slowed a little. The man didn't seem injured, but his tailcoat held stains. Heavy breathing fled his nostrils. Something was amiss. She cleared her throat.

  One look from his silvery eyes, glazed and bloodshot, confirmed everything. The situation was dire. That suffering heart of hers raced anew. "What is afoot?"

  He stopped, yanked off his cravat and plodded toward her. Without a word, he took the Dresden and candle from her fingers and stuck them on a close shelf. Snatching her off her feet, he held her.

  Startled, her arms went around him too.

  He smelled of dirt and sweat. What had he been doing? "Pray, tell me."

  "I…" His heart thudded like gunshots. His muscles quaked and tensed within her grasp. "I've ruined us."

  She held him tighter, fingering the tension in his shoulders. "That can't be. Not Barrington Norton."

  He pulled away and clutched the bookcase. His mouth opened wide, then he grimaced. "I'm not perfect. Never claimed to be."

  Always in control, he never looked like this before. Bewildered, almost scattered.

  She came to him, drawn by pure need. Except it was him who lacked, him who was in want of strength. "I didn't mean it as censure."

  As she soaked in the tumult swimming in his eyes, it was her who had enough to give. "Trust me, Barr. Trust in me."

  Extras

  Author's Note

  Dear Friend,

  I enjoyed writing Unveiled Love because diverse Regency London needs its story told, and I am a sucker for a wonderful husband and wife romance. They need love after the vows, too.

  These stories will showcase a world of intrigue and romance, a setting everyone can hopefully find a character to identify with in the battle of love, which renews and gives life.

  Stay in touch. Sign up at www.vanessariley.com for my newsletter. You'll be the first to know about upcoming releases, and maybe even win a sneak peek.

  Thank so much for giving this book a read.

  Vanessa Riley

  Many of my readers are new to Regencies, so I always add notes and a glossary to make items readily available. If you know of a term that should be added to enhance my readers' knowledge, send them to me at: vanessa@christianregency.com. I will acknowledge you in my next book.

  Here are my notes:

  Mulatto Barristers

  I couldn't find definitive proof of one, but that does not mean it was impossible. Connections and success bent rules. Such was the case for William Garrow (1760-1840). He was not born a gentleman and didn't go to the best schools. Yet, his success in the courts rewrote how trials would be performed. He introduced the premise, "presumed innocent until proven guilty," and rose to become Solicitor General for England and Wales.

  Free blacks in 1800's English Society

  By Regency times, historians, Kirstin Olsen and Gretchen Holbrook Gerzina, estimate that Black London (the black neighborhood of London) had over 10,000 residents. While England led the world in granting rights to the enslaved and ending legal slavery thirty
years before the American Civil War, it still had many citizens who were against change. Here is another image from an anti-abolitionist.

  The New Union Club being a representation of what took place at a celebrated dinner given by a celebrated society – includes in picture abolitionists, Billy Waters, Zachariah Macauley, William Wilberforce. – published 19 July 1819. Source: Wiki Commons

  Notable People Mentioned in this Episode

  George Bridgetower (George Augustus Polgreen Bridgetower) was born in Poland on October 11, 1778. The mulatto described as Afro-European was the son of John Frederick Bridgetower, a West Indie's black man and a white German maid. He became a virtuoso violinist whose talents were recognized by the Prince Regent. The prince took an interest in his education and directed Bridgetower's musical studies. Bridgetower performed in many concerts in London theatres like, Covent Garden, Drury Lane and the Haymarket Theatre. In the spring of 1789, Bridgetower performed at the Abbaye de Panthemont in Paris. Thomas Jefferson attended this event. Bridgewater died February 1860.

  Harriet Westbrook was the first wife of Percy Shelley. She was abandoned by Lord Shelley when he fell in love with Mary Wollstonecraft. On 10 December 1816, Harriet's body was found. She was pregnant when she was drowned in the the Serpentine in Hyde Park, London.

  King George III, the king who lost the American colonies, suffered from bouts of mental illness. His son ruled in his stead as the Prince Regent (George Augustus Frederick). King George III died January 27, 1820. Mourning for a King had three parts: deep mourning (eight weeks), mourning (two weeks), and half-mourning (two weeks). During these times, clothing and accessories had to be correlated to the type of mourning.

  Inter-racial marriages occurred.

  The children known as mulattos lived lives on the scale of their education and wealth. Examine this painting. Portrait of a Mulatto by FABRE, François-Xavier. It is from 1809-1810. Portraits were indicative to status and wealth. My screenshot of the image the art once displayed at Arenski Fine Art, LTD London. More information can be found at http://maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/images-of-regency-era-free-people-of-colour/.

  This painting of an interracial couple and child, Pintura de Castas, from Spaniard and Mulatto, Morisca (1763). Where love exists barriers fade.

  Slavery in England

  The emancipation of slaves in England preceded America by thirty years and freedom was won by legal court cases not bullets.

  Somerset v Stewart (1772) is a famous case, which established the precedence for the rights of slaves in England. The English Court of King's Bench, led by Lord Mansfield, decided that slavery was unsupported by the common law of England and Wales. His ruling:

  "The state of slavery is of such a nature that it is incapable of being introduced on any reasons, moral or political, but only by positive law, which preserves its force long after the reasons, occasions, and time itself from whence it was created, is erased from memory. It is so odious, that nothing can be suffered to support it, but positive law. Whatever inconveniences, therefore, may follow from the decision, I cannot say this case is allowed or approved by the law of England; and therefore the black must be discharged."

  E. Neville William, The Eighteenth-Century Constitution: 1688-1815, pp: 387-388.

  The Slavery Abolition Act 1833 was an act of Parliament, which abolished slavery throughout the British Empire. A fund of $20 Million Pound Sterling was set up to compensate slave owners. Many of the highest society families were compensated for losing their slaves.

  This act did exempt the territories in the possession of the East India Company, the Island of Ceylon, and the Island of Saint Helena. In 1843, the exceptions were eliminated.

  Glossary

  The Regency – The Regency is a period of history from 1811-1825 (sometimes expanded to 1795-1837) in England. It takes its name from the Prince Regent who ruled in his father's stead when the king suffered mental illness. The Regency is known for manners, architecture, and elegance. Jane Austen wrote her famous novel, Pride and Prejudice (1813), about characters living during the Regency.

  England is a country in Europe. London is the capital city of England.

  Image of England from a copper engraved map created by William Darton in 1810.

  Port Elizabeth was a town founded in 1820 at the tip of South Africa. The British settlement was an attempt to strengthen England's hold on the Cape Colony and to be a buffer from the Xhosa.

  Xhosa - A proud warrior people driven to defend their land and cattle-herding way of life from settlers expanding the boundaries of the Cape Colony.

  Image of South Africa from a copper engraved map created by John Dower in 1835.

  Abigail – A lady's maid.

  Soiree – An evening party.

  Bacon-brained – A term meaning foolish or stupid.

  Black – A description of a black person or an African.

  Black Harriot – A famous prostitute stolen from Africa, then brought to England by a Jamaican planter who died, leaving her without means. She turned to harlotry to earn a living. Many members of the House of Lords became her clients. She is described as tall, genteel, and alluring, with a degree of politeness.

  Blackamoor – A dark-skinned person.

  Bombazine – Fabric of twilled or corded cloth made of silk and wool or cotton and wool. Usually the material was dyed black and used to create mourning clothes.

  Breeched – The custom of a young boy no longer wearing pinafores and now donning breeches. This occurs about age six.

  Breeches – Short, close-fitting pants for men, which fastened just below the knees and were worn with stockings.

  Caning – A beating typically on the buttocks for naughty behavior.

  Compromise – To compromise a reputation is to ruin or cast aspersions on someone's character by catching them with the wrong people, being alone with someone who wasn't a relative at night, or being caught doing something wrong. During the Regency, gentlemen were often forced to marry women they had compromised.

  Dray – Wagon.

  Footpads – Thieves or muggers in the streets of London.

  Greatcoat – A big outdoor overcoat for men.

  Mews – A row of stables in London for keeping horses.

  Pelisse - An outdoor coat for women that is worn over a dress.

  Quizzing Glass – An optical device, similar to a monocle, typically worn on a chain. The wearer might use the quizzing glass to look down upon people.

  Reticule – A cloth purse made like a bag that had a drawstring closure.

  Season – One of the largest social periods for high society in London. During this time, a lady attended a variety of balls and soirees to meet potential mates.

  Sideboard – A low piece of furniture the height of a writing desk, which housed spirits.

  Ton – Pronounced tone, the ton was a high class in society during the Regency era.

  Sneak Peak: Unmasked Heart

  Shy, nearsighted caregiver, Gaia Telfair always wondered why her father treated her a little differently than her siblings, but she never guessed she couldn't claim his love because of a family secret, her illicit birth. With everything she knows to be true evaporating before her spectacles, can the mulatto passing for white survive being exposed and shunned by the powerful duke who has taken an interest in her?

  Ex-warrior, William St. Landon, the Duke of Cheshire, will do anything to protect his mute daughter from his late wife's scandals. With a blackmailer at large, hiding in a small village near the cliffs of Devonshire seems the best option, particularly since he can gain help from the talented Miss Telfair, who has the ability to help children learn to speak. If only he could do a better job at shielding his heart from the young lady, whose honest hazel eyes see through his jests as her tender lips challenge his desire to remain a single man.

  Unmasked Heart is the first Challenge of the Soul Regency novel.

  Excerpt from Unmasked Heart: The Wrong Kiss

  Seren adjusted the delicat
e gauzy silk flowers lining the edges of Gaia's cape. "Wait here until your Elliot arrives. Don't leave this room; I'll come back to find you."

  Part of Gaia didn't want to release Seren's hand. Half-seeing things made the room frightening. Her pulse raced. "What if someone else arrives?"