by Jill Jones
She’d let go of her fear that Duncan would want more children and watched him become Pauley’s father in every way. It was no small task, nurturing this boy, changing him from the ragged waif he was when they found him three and a half centuries ago into the bright, capable lad he was today. Taylor attributed much of his progress to the fact he knew he could trust Duncan to be there for him. A teenage boy needed the strength and wisdom of just such a father.
Taylor had also discovered that as she let go of the obsessive drive that once fueled her ambitious career, she found time to see the beauty in life. She’d cleared the garden, and it flourished now with bright summer blossoms. She’d undertaken the renovation of their “castle”, as Duncan called the big old house, and it fairly oozed with authenticity. She had consulted with an expert in historical restorations who had made suggestions as to how they could return the mansion to its original splendor, keeping of course, their modern conveniences. Her favorite touch was the antique tapestries that now hung on the exposed rock walls of the front rooms of the house. They reminded her of the ones Mrs. Ogilvy had used to warm the walls at Dunnottar Castle.
No sign had been found, however, of the Scottish Rose. They had visited the Honours of Scotland in their royal display in Edinburgh Castle, and Taylor had laughed quietly when Duncan pointed out the two places where he’d bent the sword. The guidebook told the story of how these emblems had been rescued by brave, patriotic Scots from certain destruction at the hands of Cromwell’s army.
“Mum! Look!” Pauley’s excited cry startled her and she sat up abruptly.
“What is it, son?”
He pointed toward the shore. There, looming darkly against the cliffs was the Ladysgate. Duncan slowed the boat, slipping it into idle. “I guess that answers our question about him remembering,” he said, coming to sit next to Taylor.
She shivered. “It’s an ominous thing, isn’t it?”
Duncan had brought her sweater, and he draped it protectively across her shoulders. “Let’s just say, I won’t venture any closer than this.”
Pauley picked up a pair of binoculars and climbed to the roof of the pilot house. “What is it, Daddy? What is that rock?”
“It’s called the Ladysgate, son. Do you remember it?”
“I don’t know. I think so. Did we once go there?”
Did we once go there? What a haunting question, Taylor thought. She strained her eyes, trying to see through the giant portal. Today, there was no fog, no swirling mist, no treacherous ocean conditions, and all she saw was the calm blue water lapping through the gate. But in her mind’s eye, she caught a glimpse of smoke rising from a crofter’s lodge, of riders racing to spread the warning of impending invasion. She saw a castle, resplendent with the treasures of a bygone day, and the king’s standard, snapping in the brisk air, defying the enemy to trespass. Taylor could almost smell the smoke from the villagers’ cooking fires, hear the voices of the soldiers in the barracks. And she felt the warmth of her husband lying next to her in a primitive bed, and his love that changed everything.
“Yes, son,” she whispered, her throat tight. “We did go there once.”
More from Jill Jones
Circle of the Lily
Claire St. John lives in solitude near the grounds of the sprawling Hartford hall, an ancestral estate on the English countryside. Her life remains serene until she discovers a mysterious ring that belonged to the lady of Hartford Hall before her scandalous, unexplained disappearance a century earlier.
When Michael Townsend arrives in town and rents Claire’s guest home, she instantly senses the darkness that surrounds him. Claire knows she should stay away from him, but the passion that ignites between them blazes too powerfully to be resisted.
As Claire aids Michael in a dangerous quest, she soon finds herself caught in a web of magic, psychic battles, secret societies, and star-crossed love.
Emily's Secret
American professor Dr. Alex Hightower has always been fascinated by Emily Brontë and her brief and tragic life. But the question that haunts him is the one of her death. What were the secrets Brontë took with her to the grave?
The answers begin in the village of Haworth, where Brontë lived and died. Alex journeys there in hope of proving his theory that Emily did not die a natural death, but rather committed suicide after a passionate and secret love affair.
Soon Alex finds himself trying to decipher the mystery of an old letter, an ancient family curse, and a beautiful and mysterious woman who may hold the key to Emily Brontë’s secret. A unique and absorbing tale, Emily’s Secret pieces together the puzzle of an untimely death.
My Lady Caroline
Alison Cunningham endures her parents' tragic death with as much grace as she can muster, but her grief is overwhelming, and she’s soon trying to seek them out through the powers of séance. Instead of speaking to her beloved family, she makes contact with the ghost of Lady Caroline Lamb. The once beautiful but high strung Caroline has some unfinished business, and Alison may be the only one who can help her.
Caroline’s scandalous 1812 affair with legendary charmer Lord Byron ended in bitter betrayal and vengeful madness. But even from beyond the grave, Caroline is determined to set the record straight. Convincing the wealthy but naïve Alison to purchase the Dewhurst Manor where Lord Byron’s memoirs—and his declaration of love to Caroline—are hidden, she hopes to see Byron’s true feelings revealed.
When Alison arrives at the old house to begin her search, she finds an arrogant British antique dealer there instead, also seeking the potentially incendiary memoirs. Suspicion and anger flare between the seekers—but so too does a passionate desire as electric as that of Caroline and her once adoring poet.
A Scent of Magic
Simone LeFevre wants only two things: the first is to obtain a spot amongst the world’s most elite perfumers. The next is to exact revenge on the man who destroyed her family, her heritage, and her heart. When she discovers a mysterious elixir dating back to the 19th century, she knows it’s the key to getting close to her greatest love—and her most bitter enemy.
Nick Rutledge is determined to restore his crumbled family empire; a myopic yearning that had once led him to lie, to steal, and to betray Simone, the only woman he has ever loved. It is only in his dreams that he finds himself in Simone’s arms again, dreams stirred by the essence of “My Desire,” a mysterious new perfume.
As two lovers turned bitter fierce enemies trespass into unknown regions of longing, the past and present will meet in a place of immeasurable danger and unrelenting passion.
Connect with Diversion Books
Connect with us for information on new titles and authors from Diversion Books, free excerpts, special promotions, contests, and more:
@DiversionBooks
www.Facebook.com/DiversionBooks
Diversion Books eNewsletter
