by Kari Bovee
Mrs. Langtry had offered her seaside home in Bournemouth for the inconsolable Annie’s recovery.
“It is a place of love and healing,” Mrs. Langtry said. “The sea air and sunshine will wash away your troubles.”
Called the Red House, from the red shakes on the peaked roof, the Tudor style dwelling had been purchased by the prince as a love nest for his beloved mistress during the time of their intimate affair. What Annie had learned in the past month was that the affair between the prince and Mrs. Langtry had ended long ago, but the two remained the best of friends.
Somehow discovering this had eased Annie’s prejudice against the woman. For, if she really thought about it, love was really all that mattered. Who was she to judge who loved whom and how they loved them?
Annie recalled the words Madame Mattei had spoken to her when she came to see Annie in the hospital.
“You are destined to bring love to the world through your talent. Any woman can be a mother. You can set the example for women to embrace their talents and make something of themselves in this world, whether they are mothers or not. Motherhood does not define a woman.”
At the time, Annie could not reconcile herself to Madame Mattie’s words, but now she began to see their wisdom through the fog of her pain.
“Annie.”
She opened her eyes and saw Frank standing before her.
“Something came for you today.” He presented her with a small, filigreed metal box, adorned with jewels and a thick purple ribbon wrapped around its middle, knotted into a bow.
“How lovely. Who is it from?” She sat up and lifted the blanket off her knees. The chill of the morning had melted away with the warmth of the sun.
“Open it to find out.”
“It’s almost too pretty to open.” She delicately pulled at the ribbon. It cascaded from the box and fell to her lap. She lifted the hinged lid to find a miniature portrait, about the size of an egg, inside.
The image of a young Queen Victoria stared back at her, with eyes as tiny as a mouse’s. She stood tall and proud, wearing a flowing white, jewel-encrusted gown with a thick purple sash draped across one shoulder and anchored to her hip with a diamond brooch. Atop her head was a stunning diamond tiara with a dark blue jewel set in the middle.
“Look, Frank.” Annie handed the portrait to him. “Isn’t it stunning?” She reached back into the box to pull out a note with the queen’s monogram embossed on top. She read it aloud to Frank.
Dearest Miss Oakley,
I hope this gift finds you well and recovering. I am terribly sorry for your loss. Although the good Lord bestowed upon me nine children, the loss of my beloved Albert has deeply affected me. Cherish your husband. You will have a fulfilling life in his love.
Please accept this token of my appreciation for your valiant efforts to save my life. I am not naïve to the fact that others may attempt assassination in future, but you have spared me for the time being. Your cleverness and bravery are to be commended.
You have a gift to offer the world, and I so admire your courage. May God bless you on your journey.
Fondly,
Victoria R.
She set the note down in her lap, and wiped a tear from her cheek. Frank knelt down next to her, and took hold of her hand.
“You touch the hearts of others, my dear. Even the Queen of England.”
Annie smiled, the chains of sorrow burdening her for the last few weeks starting to break loose.
Emma had always told her she had much to offer the world with her talent, and so had Frank. This letter and this gift were a sign to her that they were right. She had a calling—and it wasn’t motherhood. She would take her newfound resolution and give back to the world in the way she was meant to do.
“I have more news,” said Frank. “I’ve received a letter from Mr. Salisbury. The Wild West Show is continuing the tour of England, and he and the colonel are asking if you will be returning. They don’t want to pressure you, but you know the show won’t be the same without you.”
Annie leaned over and wrapped her arms around Frank’s neck.
“No, it won’t. The show needs me, and I am ready.”
About the Author
Empowered women in history, horses, unconventional characters, and real-life historical events fill the pages of Kari Bovée’s articles and historical mystery musings and manuscripts. Bovée is an award-winning writer: She was a finalist in the Romantic Suspense category of the 2012 LERA Rebecca contest, the 2014 NTRWA Great Expectations contest, and the RWA 2016 Daphne du Maurier contest for her unpublished manuscript Grace in the Wings. She was also honored as a finalist in the NHRWA Lone Star Writer’s contest in 2012 with the unpublished manuscript of Girl with a Gun. Bovée and her husband, Kevin, live in New Mexico with their cat, four dogs, and four horses. Their children, who live happy lives as productive entrepreneurs and professionals, are their greatest achievements.
SELECTED TITLES FROM SPARKPRESS
SparkPress is an independent boutique publisher delivering high-quality, entertaining, and engaging content that enhances readers’ lives, with a special focus on female-driven work. Visit us at www.gosparkpress.com
The Year of Necessary Lies, Kris Radish. $17, 978-1-94071-651-0
A great-granddaughter discovers her ancestor’s secrets—inspirational forays into forbidden love and the Florida Everglades at the turn of the last century.
Trouble the Water, Jackie Friedland, $16.95, 978-1-943006-54-0 When a young woman travels from a British factory town to South Carolina in the 1840s, she becomes involved with a vigilante abolitionist and the Underground Railroad while trying to navigate the complexities of Charleston high society and falling in love.
Girl with a Gun, Kari Bovee, $16.95, 978-1-943006-60-1
When a series of crimes take place soon after fifteen-year-old Annie Oakley joins Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, including the mysterious death of her Indian assistant, Annie fears someone is out to get her. With the help of a sassy, blue-blooded reporter, Annie sets out to solve the crimes that threaten her good name.
A Dangerous Woman from Nowhere, Kris Radish, $16.95, 978-1-943006-26-7 When her husband is kidnapped by ruthless gold miners, frontier woman Briar Logan is forced to accept the help of an emotionally damaged young man and a famous female horse trainer. On her quest to save her husband, she discovers that adventures of the heart are almost as dangerous as tracking down lawless killers.
Learning to Fall, Anne Clermont. $16.95, 978-1940716787 A behind-the-curtains peek into the glamorous but often heartbreaking world of competitive show jumping, Learning to Fall is a universal story of healing, hope, and what it means to love.
The Legacy of Us, Kristin Contino. $17, 978-1-94071-617-6
Three generations of women are affected by love, loss, and a mysterious necklace that links them.
About SparkPress
SparkPress is an independent, hybrid imprint focused on merging the best of the traditional publishing model with new and innovative strategies. We deliver high-quality, entertaining, and engaging content that enhances readers’ lives. We are proud to bring to market a list of New York Times best-selling, award-winning, and debut authors who represent a wide array of genres, as well as our established, industry-wide reputation for creative, results-driven success in working with authors. SparkPress, a BookSparks imprint, is a division of SparkPoint Studio LLC.
Learn more at GoSparkPress.com
