The Secret Kiss of Darkness

by Christina Courtenay

  But how could she have stayed away?

  She glanced a final time at the gilt-edged card in her hand and swallowed down her anxiety. The message was clear and definitely entitled her to be here.

  Kayla was so pleased for Jago as this must mean his portrait had finally been hung next to Eliza’s. She just had to see him there, one last time, before she closed this chapter of her life. Then she could move on. Or at least, she hoped so.

  The door opened and a young man in smart livery bowed to her and took the invitation card she proffered. She’d never met him before and assumed he must have been hired for the occasion. It was obviously going to be a big do, perhaps even with the local mayor present or some other dignitaries. The flutter of nerves in her stomach subsided a little. She could hide in a crowd. Good.

  ‘Please follow me,’ the young man said, and led the way up the staircase. He pointed towards the long gallery. ‘The reception is in there, madam.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  Kayla heard the soft strains of classical music and was impressed. It would seem Wes had pulled out all the stops for the occasion, even going so far as to hire musicians. There would probably be caterers and formal waiters too, if the young man in the hall was anything to go by. She was glad he was going to so much trouble on Jago’s behalf. If he was still listening, the old reprobate should be pleased to be causing such a stir.

  When she entered the long gallery, however, she came to a halt. She could still hear music playing from somewhere, but there were no musicians in the room. Nor were there any waiting staff, only a couple of tables covered with white cloths and with champagne in buckets, crystal glasses and trays of canapés set out. And worst of all, there wasn’t a soul in there apart from her.

  Kayla did a three sixty degree turn. No one at all.

  Her eyes were drawn to the two huge portraits that now hung side by side on one wall. ‘Hello,’ she whispered, but felt silly talking to a painting here. Jago’s enigmatic smile was in place and she thought she saw his mouth twitch, but he didn’t reply. She hadn’t expected him to. Not in public. Although there was no public right now, which was very odd.

  ‘Where is everyone?’

  Again, no reply, and Kayla was beginning to feel uncomfortable. Surely she couldn’t be the first guest to arrive? She checked her watch. It was ten past three – she’d arrived fashionably late on purpose, in order to blend in with the crowd.

  She frowned. What the hell was going on?

  Just then someone entered from a side door and walked towards her. ‘Kayla. You came.’

  The familiar voice set Kayla’s heart thumping so hard she could barely reply. Wes. She’d missed him. Oh, how she’d missed him and seeing him now, at last, was making her feel breathless. Just the sight of him melted her insides and the composure she’d been so sure she’d be able to hang onto flew out the window. Damn.

  ‘Uhm, yes. Yes, of course I came. I wanted to see Jago and Eliza … I mean, hanging together.’ The swirling in her stomach was making her incoherent so she stopped talking and just watched Wes.

  Why hadn’t he called her? Texted? Or something. She hadn’t heard a word for two whole weeks, apart from a short note thanking her for the painting and saying he’d ‘be in touch shortly’. Then the formal invite.

  He came to a stop in front of her and shoved his hands into his trouser pockets as if he wasn’t quite sure what to do with them. He looked amazing in a charcoal grey suit – designer if she wasn’t mistaken – and matching shirt and tie. The stubble on the lower half of his face – also designer? – made Kayla want to reach out and touch him, but she put her hands behind her back to resist the temptation. His eyes were a vibrant blue, as always, but with a slightly guarded expression. She swallowed hard and looked away. So he was dressed for the occasion. But what occasion? They were still the only people here.

  ‘You look lovely,’ he said. ‘Formal clothes suit you.’

  ‘Thank you, but I’m beginning to wonder if I should have bothered. What’s going on, Wes? Is this some kind of joke?’

  He shook his head. ‘No, not a joke. It seemed the only way to get you to come back though. You appeared determined to stay in London. You didn’t so much as call to see how Nell was, but I figured you might come and check on your painting.’ He frowned slightly.

  ‘Me? But I was waiting for you to call,’ Kayla blurted out. ‘I thought you’d let me know if she could bear to see me. And I didn’t want to intrude. She’d had a shock after all and these things can take time.’

  ‘Really?’ Wes’s expression cleared and he smiled at last. ‘Thank God for that.’

  ‘What do you mean? I caused Caro’s death. I deprived Nell of a mother. Have you told her? I should have listened to you, but I—’

  Wes held up a hand to stop her torrent of words. ‘None of it was your fault. I thought I made that clear? Nell doesn’t blame you and neither do I. Caro brought it on herself. Nell is a little too young to understand right now, but when she’s older I will explain about the drugs and everything. At the moment she’s absolutely fine and waiting to see you. If that’s what you want too?’

  ‘Of course I do. I’ve missed her.’ She didn’t add, ‘and you’.

  Wes turned and called out, ‘Nell! It’s okay, you can come out now.’

  The little girl came rushing out of door at the far end of the gallery and ran towards them. She threw her arms round Kayla’s legs until Kayla hunkered down to hug her properly.

  ‘Kayla, Kayla, I’ve missed you so much! Why didn’t you say you were leaving?’

  Kayla blinked to stop from crying. ‘I’ve missed you too, sweetheart, and, er, I was called away suddenly. There was something I had to do.’ She looked up at the little girl’s father, who nodded as if he approved of this white lie.

  ‘Have you finished doing that now then?’ Nell wanted to know. ‘So you can stay here?’

  ‘Er, well …’ Kayla was floundering, not sure what to say next, but Wes came to her rescue.

  ‘Let Kayla stand up, Nell. Remember what I told you?’

  Nell’s eyes twinkled with mischief and she giggled. ‘Yes, Daddy.’

  ‘Okay then, are you ready?’ Wes looked at his daughter and held out one hand to her. ‘On the count of three, right?’

  Nell nodded. ‘One, two, three.’

  The two of them dropped down on one knee in front of Kayla and said, in unison, ‘Please will you marry us? We love you!’

  Wes withdrew his other hand from his trouser pocket and held out an old-fashioned jeweller’s box. Inside, nestled on white velvet, was an exquisite antique ring, made up of a thick band of gold set with a dark purple amethyst surrounded by diamonds in the shape of two hearts. It was the most beautiful thing Kayla had ever seen and she gasped.

  She stared into Wes’s eyes and saw the love shining in their blue depths. It made her want to cry with happiness, but she realised that he – and Nell – were still waiting for an answer. ‘Yes, please,’ she whispered, her voice a mere thread because her throat was so clogged with emotion. ‘If you’re both sure?’

  Wes stood up. ‘We’ve never been more sure of anything, isn’t that right, Nell?’

  Nell was by now dancing around them, jumping from one foot to the other with excitement. ‘Mm-hmm, that’s right, Daddy. Come on, do the ring thing like they do in Disney movies.’

  Wes laughed and took the ring out of its box, slipping it onto the fourth finger of Kayla’s left hand. It was a snug fit, as if it had always belonged there.

  ‘It’s perfect,’ she whispered. ‘Thank you so much.’

  ‘Are you absolutely sure?’ he asked. ‘You can see what you’re letting yourself in for.’ He nodded in Nell’s direction. ‘It won’t exactly be a bed of roses.’

  Kayla smiled mistily. ‘I wouldn’t miss it for the world,’ she told him. ‘I love you. Both of you,’ she amended and laughed at Nell’s antics.

  ‘I, or should I say we, love you too.’ He kissed her as if h
e would never let her go, but his daughter had other ideas. She tugged at his jacket.

  ‘Now that’s sorted, can we eat? I’m hungry. Please, Daddy? Please? You promised.’

  Wes reluctantly stopped kissing Kayla. ‘There’s no peace for the wicked,’ he sighed, ‘as I’m sure my ancestor Jago found out.’

  Kayla laughed. ‘Oh, believe you me, he may have been wicked, but he is at peace now. Truly at peace.’

  She glanced over Wes’s shoulder, up at the two portraits, and saw Jago’s smile broaden in agreement. He winked at her and nodded towards Eliza. When Kayla looked at her she saw the woman’s lips move and a faint whisper reached her. ‘Thank you, we’ll be eternally grateful.’

  ‘What was that? Did you say something?’ Wes had been concentrating on trying to calm Nell down and turned to look at Kayla.

  ‘Just that I can’t believe I can be this lucky.’

  He kissed her again and pulled her close. ‘I’m the lucky one and I’m not letting you go, ever. We’ll be together for all eternity.’

  Just like Eliza and Jago, at last.

  About the Author

  Christina Courtenay lives in Herefordshire and is married with two children. Although born in England she has a Swedish mother and was brought up in Sweden. In her teens, the family moved to Japan where she had the opportunity to travel extensively in the Far East.

  Christina is chair of the Romantic Novelists’ Association. The Secret Kiss of Darkness is her seventh novel published by Choc Lit. In 2011, Christina’s first novel Trade Winds was shortlisted for The Romantic Novelists’ Association’s Award for Best Historical Fiction. Her second novel, The Scarlet Kimono, won the Big Red Reads Best Historical Fiction Award. In 2012, Highland Storms won the Best Historical Romantic Novel of the year award. The Silent Touch of Shadows, Christina’s fourth novel, won the award for Best Historical Read at the Festival of Romance. The Gilded Fan, Christina’s fifth novel and the sequel to The Scarlet Kimono, was shortlisted for the same award in 2013. In addition, Christina is also the author of the Young Adult novel, New England Rocks, and a number of Regency e-novellas, which can be found online.

  www.christinacourtenay.com

  www.twitter.com/PiaCCourtenay

  www.facebook.com/christinacourtenayauthor

  www.goodreads.com/author/show/4112359.Christina_Courtenay

  More Choc Lit

  From Christina Courtenay

  Trade Winds

  Short-listed for the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s Pure Passion Award for Best Historical Fiction 2011

  Marriage of convenience – or a love for life?

  It’s 1732 in Gothenburg, Sweden, and strong-willed Jess van Sandt knows only too well that it’s a man’s world. She believes she’s being swindled out of her inheritance by her stepfather – and she’s determined to stop it.

  When help appears in the unlikely form of handsome Scotsman Killian Kinross, himself disinherited by his grandfather, Jess finds herself both intrigued and infuriated by him. In an attempt to recover her fortune, she proposes a marriage of convenience. Then Killian is offered the chance of a lifetime with the Swedish East India Company’s Expedition and he’s determined that nothing will stand in his way, not even his new bride.

  He sets sail on a daring voyage to the Far East, believing he’s put his feelings and past behind him. But the journey doesn’t quite work out as he expects …

  Prequel to Highland Storms.

  Visit www.choc-lit.com for more details including the first two chapters and reviews.

  Find out more and purchase in the kindle store (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Trade-Winds-ebook/dp/B00457XELG)

  Highland Storms

  Christina Courtenay

  Winner of the 2012 Best Historical Romantic Novel of the year

  Who can you trust?

  Betrayed by his brother and his childhood love, Brice Kinross needs a fresh start. So he welcomes the opportunity to leave Sweden for the Scottish Highlands to take over the family estate.

  But there’s trouble afoot at Rosyth in 1754 and Brice finds himself unwelcome. The estate’s in ruin and money is disappearing. He discovers an ally in Marsaili Buchanan, the beautiful redheaded housekeeper, but can he trust her?

  Marsaili is determined to build a good life. She works hard at being a housekeeper and harder still at avoiding men who want to take advantage of her. But she’s irresistibly drawn to the new clan chief, even though he’s made it plain he doesn’t want to be shackled to anyone.

  And the young laird has more than romance on his mind. His investigations are stirring up an enemy. Someone who will stop at nothing to get what he wants – including Marsaili – even if that means destroying Brice’s life forever …

  Sequel to Trade Winds.

  Visit www.choc-lit.com for more details including the first two chapters and reviews.

  Find out more and purchase in the kindle store (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Highland-Storms-ebook/dp/B00629ZK0I)

  The Scarlet Kimono

  Christina Courtenay

  Winner of the 2011 Big Red Read’s Best Historical Fiction Award

  Abducted by a Samurai warlord in 17th-century Japan – what happens when fear turns to love?

  England, 1611, and young Hannah Marston envies her brother’s adventurous life. But when she stows away on his merchant ship, her powers of endurance are stretched to their limit. Then they reach Japan and all her suffering seems worthwhile – until she is abducted by Taro Kumashiro’s warriors.

  In the far north of the country, warlord Kumashiro is waiting to see the girl who he has been warned about by a seer. When at last they meet, it’s a clash of cultures and wills, but they’re also fighting an instant attraction to each other.

  With her brother desperate to find her and the jealous Lady Reiko equally desperate to kill her, Hannah faces the greatest adventure of her life. And Kumashiro has to choose between love and honour …

  Prequel to The Gilded Fan

  Visit www.choc-lit.com for more details including the first two chapters and reviews.

  Find out more and purchase in the kindle store (http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Scarlet-Kimono-ebook/dp/B004Q9TCXC)

  The Gilded Fan

  Christina Courtenay

  How do you start a new life, leaving behind all you love?

  It’s 1641, and when Midori Kumashiro, the orphaned daughter of a warlord, is told she has to leave Japan or die, she has no choice but to flee to England. Midori is trained in the arts of war, but is that enough to help her survive a journey, with a lecherous crew and an attractive captain she doesn’t trust?

  Having come to Nagasaki to trade, the last thing Captain Nico Noordholt wants is a female passenger, especially a beautiful one. How can he protect her from his crew when he can’t keep his own eyes off her?

  During their journey, Nico and Midori form a tentative bond, but they both have secrets that can change everything. When they arrive in England, a civil war is brewing, and only by standing together can they hope to survive …

  Sequel to The Scarlet Kimono.

  Visit www.choc-lit.com for more details including the first two chapters and reviews.

  Find out more and purchase in the kindle store (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gilded-Fan-Choc-Lit-ebook/dp/B00AN9NX1G)

  The Silent Touch of Shadows

  Christina Courtenay

  Winner of the 2012 Best Historical Read from the Festival of Romance

  What will it take to put the past to rest?

  Professional genealogist Melissa Grantham receives an invitation to visit her family’s ancestral home, Ashleigh Manor. From the moment she arrives, life-like dreams and visions haunt her. The spiritual connection to a medieval young woman and her forbidden lover have her questioning her sanity, but Melissa is determined to solve the mystery.

  Jake Precy, owner of a nearby cottage, has disturbing dreams too, but it’s not until he meets Melissa that they begin to make sense. He hires her to research his family’s histo
ry, unaware their lives are already entwined. Is the mutual attraction real or the result of ghostly interference?

  A haunting love story set partly in the present and partly in fifteenth century Kent.

  Visit www.choc-lit.com for more details including the first two chapters and reviews.

  Find out more and purchase in the kindle store (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silent-Touch-Shadows-Choc-ebook/dp/B008834GRY)

  New England Rocks

  Christina Courtenay

  First impressions, how wrong can you get?

  When Rain Mackenzie is expelled from her British boarding school, she can’t believe her bad luck. Not only is she forced to move to New England, USA, she’s also sent to the local high school, as a punishment.

  Rain makes it her mission to dislike everything about Northbrooke High, but what she doesn’t bank on is meeting Jesse Devlin …

  Jesse is the hottest guy Rain’s ever seen and he plays guitar in an awesome rock band!

  There’s just one small problem … Jesse already has a girlfriend, little miss perfect Amber Lawrence, who looks set to cause trouble as Rain and Jesse grow closer.

  But, what does it matter? New England sucks anyway, and Rain doesn’t plan on sticking around …

  Does she?

  Visit www.choc-lit.com for more details including the first two chapters and reviews.

  Find out more and purchase in the kindle store (http://www.amazon.co.uk/New-England-Rocks-Choc-ebook/dp/B00DRLAILU)

  Introducing Choc Lit

  We’re an independent publisher creating a delicious selection of fiction. Where heroes are like chocolate – irresistible! Quality stories with a romance at the heart.