“For Robert's sixteenth birthday he was given another gala,
complete with chamber orchestra and the finest of foods. Esme had never been
present at one of these evenings, and was secretly very excited about being
chosen as one of the few housemaids to serve at the event. The servants had
been individually trained in the art of food and beverage serving; Smithson had
been in his element bossing all the house ladies around. Each of them was also
fitted for new frocks, their hair was to be done for them, and it was all very
appealing. As they descended the stairs with trays of eats they felt like
princesses.
Robert was extremely hospitable for a change and even had a
small crowd of young women around him listening to his stories and laughing
politely at his teasing. He was absorbed in the ramblings of some young nubile
adolescent when Esme caught his eye; she was leaning over the table rearranging
the bite-sized eats on the trays. He sidled over to her and leaned in so that
she was the only one who heard what he said next,
"You better watch your step Esme... wouldn't want to
ruin my evening now would you?..." He smiled at her coldly, placing his
clammy hand on her shoulder and she flinched, "You shouldn't have done so
well in your studies this year. Esme... it has caused me some trouble with my
father" She winced again.
"Please Master Robert... don't make trouble... this is
your evening and I wouldn't ruin it for you..." She continued moving the
eats as though nothing was the matter.
"Oh, but Esme" He tilted his head in a half crazed
manner "...you will ruin my evening I can just feel it..." He picked
up a cheese wedge and moved past her "...then maybe, finally you will be
out of my house and out of my mind. Forever"
A Historical Action Romance (suitable for teen readers) spanning 6 generations of a gifted musical family. Book I is complete, Book II will be available by 2018.
Read Thorngate Diaries Book I - the full book is available now.
