Hi! Some of you may have noticed I've been absent for the past few weeks. Others may not have noticed (or cared..lol). For those that did, I wanted to give you an update. My kiddos have been super sick, which means I've been on mama nurse duty, full-time.
However, I have also been working on a new story with the amazing @leelee10898! We are super excited to share it with you but want to get a little more written before we start posting.
There will be a new page for the story so that we can both post, so be on the lookout for that and some teasers to come soon!
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A/N: this was written for @choicesflashfics using the prompt "I'll be dam to if I don't make you smile at least once today." Since I didnt get to post last week. I double downed and used the prompt, "sometimes memories are the worst form of torture."
"No need Brooks. I just told zoo security that Maxwell was a little 'special'. And to go easy on him. He just isn't allowed back at that zoo."
It was a beautiful spring day in April. The sun was shining, the flowers were in bloom. Liam, Riley, Drake, and Maxwell had traveled to the United States for a week-long adventure in US History, the state being Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Pennsylvania to be exact. Liam had his eye on the rich history of the city, especially the liberty bell. Riley being from the States thought it a great first stop on their tour as there was something for everyone to do.
The morning had just begun With the group having breakfast Riley and Liam went over their itinerary for the day while Drake and Maxwell had other ideas of fun for the day.
"I'm going to the zoo," Maxwell announced, stuffing his face with waffles.
"Oh, that should be fun. It's been forever since I went to the Philadelphia Zoo." Riley smiled. "Drake, are you going too?"
"No." He gruffed, sipping his coffee.
"Drake never does anything fun with me." Maxwell sighed, continuing to shove food in his mouth.
"Not a fan of animals are we?" Riley shot back, a mischievous gleam in her eye. Liam kept quiet smirking as he read the paper in front of him. He knew how this would play out, Riley would poke Drake until he was flustered enough, and then she could get him to do whatever she wanted him to.
"I didn't say that. That's not what I meant."
"Oh, I remember how much those Pandas in China bothered you."
"They didn't bo-"
"They just wanted to cuddle, and you just pushed it over."
"That's not what happened. I,"
"Let's not forget about the red pandas in the menagerie. You couldn't be bothered by them either."
"I do not have a prob-"
"I think Drake hates Animals. Why do you hate Animals Drake?"
"I don't hate. Thats not. I didn't say."
"Maybe he just hates fun." Maxwell chimed in.
"I like fun!" Drake protested. "And animals."
"Then is Maxwell? Do you hate Maxwell? Is that why you won't go to the zoo?"
"Hate is a strong word."
"Or maybe you're scared." She smirked, she could tell Drake was getting to his boiling point. Just a little more pressure and he'd melt like the big, gooey marshmallow he was.
"I got it. You're scared. That's it, Drakes afraid of animals, and fun. Oh and Maxwell. He's a big, giant-sized sissy."
"I'm not scared of Animals, or Maxwell, or fun! I like fun, and just to prove it I'll go to the stupid zoo with you Maxwell! Let's go." Drake stood, red-faced and breathing heavily.
"Really? Alright! I gotta go get changed. Oh, I'm so excited!" Maxwell shrieked, jumping up quickly knocking over his chair and running off.
"Ok. Ok. You sure told me." Riley held her hands up in defeat. As Drake shook his head and disappeared. Leaving just Riley and Liam alone.
"He played right into your hands didn't he love?" Liam chuckled.
"Doesn't he always?" She flashed a brilliant smile. "Besides, at least now Maxwell has a little supervision."
A little while later Maxwell and Drake arrived at the zoo. Maxwell could hardly contain his excitement as he marveled at all the exhibits.
"Drake, look! A tiger is walking right over our heads! Look!" Maxwell pointed out that the zoo had several overhead passages where different animals could walk between habitats.
"That's nice." Drake answer in a monotone voice.
They continued to walk through the zoo, Maxwell oohing and ahhing at all the different animals he came across. Drake on the other hand seemed extremely bored, like he didn't want to be there and truly he didn't. His idea of a fun day would be anything other than babysitting Maxwell Beaumont at the zoo.
"Otters!" Maxwell shouted, running off.
"Maxwell get back here," Drake called after but he was already gone. He weaved between parents and their kids. Offering a few "excuse me's the way until he found Maxwell with his face pressed against the huge otter tank.
"Fere fo fote." He spoke with a muffled voice, his mouth pressed against the glass otter pool.
"What? What does that even mean?" Drake asked, confused. "And get your damned face off that glass, do you know the number of germs that is infested with?"
"They're so cute! Arent they?"
"Yeah, yeah adorable. Are we almost done here?" Drake gruffed.
"Not at all Drakey, we are just getting started." Maxwell beamed. "You are always so grumpy, you need to lighten up." Maxwell reached out trying to move Drake's shoulders.
"Yeah, that's not gonna happen." Drake shrugged him off.
"That's it, you are wayyyy too grumpy. "I'll be damned if I don't make you smile at least once today." Max snapped his fingers, "That's now my mission today."
Drake rolled his eyes "Good luck trying."
At every turn, Maxwell tried to get Drake to smile. The giraffe exhibit didn't work. The lions, nope. Black bears that exhibited similar Drake-like behavior, not a smile cracked at all. Penguins? Not even close. Maxwell had begun to give up hope when they stumbled upon the wings of Asia attraction. Maxwell's eyes lit up, this had to be it. He had plenty of experience in this specific area. Drake noticed Maxwell's excitement and shook his head.
"You can try all you want but, you're not getting me to smile. Just give it up already Beaumont."
"Never say never, Drake!" Maxwell smirked and before he knew it, it was his turn. Maxwell stepped into the area and was given a small cup of food. "Im going to need more." He stated and the employee shook her head. "I'm sorry this is all that's allowed." Maxwell nodded yes and walked out into the area the birds were. Children were throwing the feed all over the place, there was no organization or direction. Just place feed in hand and let the birds eat.
Maxwell scanned the area, locating a bucket of fresh feed. He inched closer grabbing ahold of the bucket while an employee was distracted. He stood in the center of the circle enclosure and cleared his voice.
"Good people of Philadelphia, I am Maxwell Beaumont, aka bird whisperer." Everyone surrounding the enclosure stopped and stared. "I told my good friend Drake I would make him smile today. He's right over there." Maxwell pointed at Drake. "Say Hi Drake."
"Ah hell," Drake grumbled.
This is my last-ditch effort. Enjoy the show." Maxwell spoke with a sense of enthusiasm. Just as he lifted the lid off the feed container and thrust the plastic container up with force. The birdseed leaped out and into the air before falling to the ground. Everything happened so fast. The birds abandoned the other guest flocking around Maxwell, feathers, and squawks rang out. Children and parents fled the encampment with screams of terror.
"Somebody drop a beat, ouch. Ow. Hey, stop that. That's a bad peacock. Hey. That's my leg."
Since it was a warm spring day maxwells skin was balmy making seeds stick to him and his clothes. The birds began to peck at his pants, nipping at his ankles and legs.
Maxwell reached for his ankles but another peacock ran over, Flapping its wings and jumping at him, knocking him over onto the ground. "No. No, no, no. Hey! Stop it. That hurts. That's my nose. Oh my god Drake, Help me, it's got my nipple!"
Finally, the employees were able to get the birds away from Maxwell while he lay there in the fetal position. "Are they gone?" He peaked between his fingers, confirming it was clear. He stood, feathers and dirt stuck to him, he had a few scrapes on his arms and face but otherwise, he emerged intact. He walked out to join Drake who was now sitting on a bench, doubled over in a fit of laughter.
"I thought I was a goner. Drake? Drake are you.. are you laughing?"
"Funny. Shit." Drake wheezed, trying to regain his composure but Maxwell blew out a breath, a feather popping out of his mouth did him in again and he fell to the ground, laughing hysterically.
"Excuse me sir but, we are going to have to ask you to come with us." Zoo security spoke as they approached the two.
"Me? But I didn't do anything. I was just feeding the birds. Tell him, Drake." He tried to clear his name but Drake was absolutely no good to him laughing as he was. Drake finally stood to his feet. "Come on little buddy, we better do as they say." He clasped him on his shoulder and then walked away with security.
A couple hours later Liam and Riley finally arrived back at their hotel. The group sat around the dining table eating some dinner, Liam telling them about everything he learned and saw that day.
"So, how was the zoo? Did you guys have a good time?" Riley asked as she popped a fry into her mouth.
"Oh you know, seen some animals, Maxwell got us kicked out of the zoo." Drake shrugged his shoulders, wearing a huge grin.
"It was all a big misunderstanding!" Maxwell shouted, shaking his head. "Those birds are not normal. I think they're on steroids or are super-sayans or something. "
"Yeah, sure. They put steroids in their birdseed." Drake laughed.
"Really?" Maxwell's eyes got wide.
"Drake, are you laughing at this? Liam, should we do damage control?" Riley began to panic.
"Ok, I get it. It's funny. Haha." Maxwell rolled his eyes. "I think we're missing the big picture here."
Riley and Liam shook their heads as Drake regaled them on the story of Maxwell and the birds of Asia..
"What's that Max?" Liam questioned.
"I got Mr grumpy to smile." Maxwell beamed. "At least we will always have these memories."
Drake trained and rolled his eyes. "sometimes memories are the worst form of torture."
Any advice for writing romance? My current wip is a romance story and it’s also my first time writing original characters being attracted to each other.
Hi @ddbirb !
When I start a romance I like to think about how the characters will make each other grow as people. Then I try to find a good face claim so I can picture the couple together. Once I'm ready to start writing, I often do a steamy scene first. That helps me to know what their chemistry will be like. This website really helps with finding words to describe attraction too. Hope this helps! Pop into my DM anytime. I love chatting about wips.
The third Sexy Thesaurus! Descriptive words to use while sexting, writing your romance novel, or day-dreaming.
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[#FFF198 What Comes Next?]
This prompt is brought to you by the one and only @charmycharmcharms, thank you very much! What comes next? Is this the big question after the big evil was defeated? Or just the couriosity of what's next in the 5-course-menu? Whether the music is on shuffle or you're waiting for the next monster to show up, you need to write about it! So go, go, go!
Tagging with no pressure: @sleepingsun-if, @annabellewynter, @asteristories, @captain-kraken, @legend-of-a-savior-if, @viperdove-if, @cheerstotheelites-if and open tag
Rules: post the the last 7 lines from your current wip, then tag 7 people!
Now I will be doing Lucian this time :)
''//(Lucian's POV)//''
Ray's red hair glints in the sunlight, and his face is dusted with a scattering of freckles. As he speaks, his friendly smile lights up his features and his carefree demeanor is infectious. "So Lucian, the tracker is your partner?" he asks with genuine curiosity in his tone.
You smiled at Ray and corrected him in a gentle tone. "More like a friend," you said.
Ray chuckled and replied, "Yes, a partner!"
You shook your head and said, "I think 'partner' implies a much closer relationship, so I think 'friend' is a better term."
Ray nodded, "Fair enough. But I must say, you two make a great team."
You grinned, feeling a sense of pride for your friendship with MC. "Thanks, we try our best."
Ray leans in closer to you, a roguish glint in his eyes. "So when are you gonna take it to the next level?" he inquires.
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Rules: Make a new post and post your latest lie from one of your WIPS and tag as many people as there are words.
This is from a one-shot from my follower ask wheel event. It's the ask from @harleybeaumont (one of only two that are left!) It's for Leo x nightlife x smut. The last line (so far) is:
Good thing he liked trouble.
I'm just tagging everyone so whoever wants can participate!
So I like to thank @writernopal for tagging me, so not much is happening on my WIP.
Still experimenting the different variations of the dialogue, so here's one of those dialogues.
Also I'm trying to make Variel super cruel in this Chapter and I hope some of you Variel thirsters might change your ways but I think I only just encouraging you writing this type of scenes.
Oh well your ashes 🔥🔥😂😂⚱⚱
Tagging with no pressure: @elshells, @annabellewynter, @wynters-writings, @adoriels-tears-if and open tag:)
You waved your hand dismissively. "What? She's just shy!"
"SHY?" Lucian blurts out, quickly covering his mouth with his hand to muffle his incredulous response.
"I think?" you say, unsure of your own assessment.
Lucian looks at you with a mixture of disbelief and sarcasm. "So being almost incinerated by her earlier is shy?" he asks, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
You felt slender arms wrap around you and Lucian from behind, and a soft voice whispered in your ear. "What are you humans whispering about?" Variel's voice sent a shiver down your spine.
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Summary: Everett Greenwood never expected to be the Duke of Rorchester, that was a job for his older brother. But when sudden tragedy strikes, he finds himself thrust into a life he never wanted. Then he sees Melina delivering honey to the grand hall. The girl who lives in a shack in the woods becomes the only love his heart has ever known, but can society accept the simple woman as his choice? And will secrets from her past destroy their chance at love? Find out in Wild Lavender.
Note: This story is intended to be a Regency Romance and I have attempted to stay historically accurate, however, I am not a historian, so please excuse any errors.
Everett Greenwood sipped on a glass of brandy as stared out the window of his office. The small flat he called his home for the last several years was perched above a main thoroughfare in London and gave him the perfect vantage point to watch the bustling streets below. It was evening, and the sky was slowly darkening the way it does in the early days of spring. Many were on the street, the unusually fine weather pulling ladies and gentlemen alike from their homes to enjoy the fresh air. There were elegantly dressed couples in carriages, others strolling home from dinner parties and some just enjoying an evening stroll.
London
Everett did not consider himself to be a nostalgic sort, but he had to admit that he felt a pang of sadness at the realization that this would be the last night he would take in this view.
His thoughts were interrupted by a high-pitched giggle coming from down the hall, followed by the low moan of a male's voice. Everett shook his head moving towards the door to close it when the door down the hall flung open. A woman furiously stomped down the hall while Phillip Matthews, still only partially dressed and holding his trousers up with one hand, shouted after her.
“Is it Anne? Lily! It must be Lily.” He faltered as the woman reached the bottom of the stairs and he made one final attempt. “Ruth?”
Her head snapped back to Philip's.
"It's Beatrix, you prat."
And with that, she was out the door.
Everett watched as Phil ambled into his office and slumped onto the couch. He poured him a brandy and refilled his own before he took the seat opposite him.
“That didn’t quite go as planned, I imagine.”
Phil shook his head and poured back the brandy.
“Not even one bit,” he sucked the air in through his teeth. “I certainly hope you have more forgiving women in Rorchester.
Everett shrugged, taking a sip of his drink. “I wouldn’t know. I haven’t been there since I was six years old.”
Phil's dark eyebrows knit together in confusion. "Since you were six? But your father was the Duke!"
"Yes, but we never lived there. He kept the London home and we lived here where Mother could be a more central part of society. Occasionally he had to go to Rorchester, but he never brought me. George was the oldest and would become Duke, so I didn't have to be there."
"Well, this is great news then!" Phil slapped his knee in excitement. "You can just do the same and we don't need to leave London and head out into the middle of the countryside where nothing and no one exists."
The stare Everett issued to Phil said plenty and he once again reiterated, "You do not have to come Phil. I will be just fine on my own. Besides, I've been thinking of asking Kipley to join me in Rorchester to help get things in order."
Phil's mouth fell open in shock. "First, you are not doing this without me. You need me. Secondly, why on earth would you invite Kip? He has got to be the most extraordinary dull human being in all of England!"
Everett did his best to hide his smirk. "Kip happens to be extremely good at arithmetic. I understand he was a great help to his uncle in organizing his books."
"Of course, you understand that!" He was standing now, pacing the room, still holding his trousers up with his fist. "He told us no less than three hundred times what a big help he was!"
Everett knew this line of conversation would irritate Phil and he was rather enjoying goading his closest friend. Still, asking for assistance from Kipling Stromwell was an intriguing idea. The truth was that Everett had no idea how to run a Duchy. Not only had his father neglected to teach him, but Everett had little interest in such dealings. He had spent his years after university in His Majesty's Navy. That was how second-born sons were meant to bring their families pride. But now, with both his father and brother killed in a sudden accident, he became responsible for his mother, his two younger sisters, and an enormous quantity of land and the people living on it. He knew absolutely nothing about how to successfully do this. The only thing he did know was that he didn’t want to do it the way his father did. Everett didn’t take things lightly, so although it was not the position he wanted or imagined himself in, he would do it to the best of his ability, nonetheless. So, he packed up his life, sold his flat, and sent all his father's records to Rorchester. His mother and sisters could stay in the London home. There was no need to further disrupt their lives. But Everett knew the only way to learn about his duty and to do it well, was to be in Rorchester.
"Tell me you are kidding about Kip, Everett" Phil pleaded.
"He would be useful. I'm not certain you could claim the same" Everett challenged.
Phil scoffed. "My uses are far and beyond bookkeeping."
"Oh really? Such as…"
Phil stood thinking and then snapped his fingers in delight. "Entertainment. Who else will make sure you don't become some stuffy old Duke, wasting away in his grand estate? I'll keep you young and having fun…and getting laid" he smirked.
"You didn't seem to do such a great job of it for yourself."
Phil scoffed. "I've had to bid farewell to far too many women this week. I was bound to make a mistake here or there."
Everett chuckled. He adored Phil from the moment they met at University and he convinced him to cheat at a game of cards. They were both quite inebriated and their attempts did not go unnoticed. It only took a few hands before they were discovered, but Phil, keen as he was, noticed a split second before they were confronted. He shoved a fistful of winnings into his waistcoat, grabbed a bottle of scotch off a nearby table, and tugged Everett out the door.
They ran as fast as they could, twisting through alleyways and side streets. Everett can still remember how much his lungs burned with the exertion and how his cheeks ached with laughter. Eventually, they ducked into an empty doorway and hid out of sight until they were sure they were safe. It was then they opened the scotch and each took a long pull on the bottle. Phil emptied his pockets and they counted their winnings.
“You do realize that my father is a Duke, Philip. Money is not hard to come by. I easily could have bought a bottle of liquor,” Everett chuckled.
Phil shook his head, still counting their loot. “My father is the Earl of Barlington” His voice became low and stern, mimicking his father. “We’ve always been able to buy whatever we please, Everett. The point is”, he looked up meeting Everett’s eyes. “Liquor tastes better when stolen and a muff feels better when borrowed.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Now come on, Everett. Let's go to the brothel. I think we have just enough.”
“What is it?” Phil asked, taking in the faraway look on Everett’s face.
“Nothing. I was just remembering the day we met.”
Phil smirked, “Damn, I still have dreams about that blonde.”
“You do have a way of entertaining, I suppose. Although I’m rather shocked we made it without ever getting into trouble. Especially in the Navy.”
“We were officers in the Navy, Rett. The son of a Duke and an Earl at that. How much could they do to us?”
Everett shook his head, “The second son of a Duke and the third of an Earl. It may have gotten us out of a few jams at University but His Majesty’s Navy is an entirely different story.”
“Fair enough,” Phil stood, setting down his empty glass with a clang. “Now it’s our last night out in London for a good while. And you, my friend, are no longer the second son, but a Duke in his own right. Let's go out in the city and see how much we can get away with, eh?”
The following morning, Everett woke with a start. To be clear, it was not his first time waking that day, nor was it morning. Everett had already rose, dressed, and poured himself into a carriage headed for Rorchester. He remembered very little of this, other than his head throbbing painfully and the sun seeming exceedingly bright for the hour. It took only a moment before he was, once again fast asleep to the rumbling of the carriage.
The second time he woke, was half a day later when the carriage stopped at Greenwood Hall. Everett peeled his eyes open, taking a moment to adjust to the lack of movement, and ran his hands through his thick brown hair. His large hand rubbed the scruff on his chiseled jaw that he had neglected to shave before departing. It was not the impression he had intended to make but when he recalled the night of revelry he enjoyed in his final night living in London, he could not say that he regretted his carelessness with his appearance. Everett’s muscles felt tight from the long journey and he took a moment to stretch his limbs. As he did so, he attempted to rouse Philip.
“We’re here, Phil”
Phil rolled over with a groan and buried his face.
Everett harshly nudged his leg. “We’re here. Get up!”
“Alright, alright. Clearly what the Duke says, goes.” He lifted his head with a gruff.
“Have you finished mocking me?”
Phil stretched with a smirk.
“I’m insulted! I would never challenge the commands of the Master of the House.”
“You are an ass,” Everett growled and exited the vehicle. He walked towards the house, taking in the staff waiting outside to meet him. It was a skeleton staff at this point, only the bare minimum until Phil had adjusted to what was needed and arranged for the necessary hiring.
Everett and Phil had brought their valets from London which would be plenty for the time being. In addition, there was a butler and housekeeper, cook, and several general maids together performing the tasks that a dozen or more staff would normally do. However, since the great house had remained closed up, outside the servants' quarters, that was enough.
Greenwood Hall was a grand hall of dark red brick accented with white stone entryways and windows. The hall was wide and flanked by a clock tower on one side and an orangery on the other. Behind the estate was one of the grandest gardens in all of England. It had been designed by Everett’s great-grandmother who deeply loved Rorchester and Greenwood Hall. He grew up hearing the stories, but never fully understood why his father had abandoned the hall. It’s true, this area was not wealthy. Everett had heard his father complain for years that the farmers were not successful in this area and the villages were poverty-stricken. It seemed an odd revelation to behold this grand empty hall presiding over it all.
Everett took a few moments to introduce himself to the staff and allowed the housekeeper, Edna Baker to show him through the parts of the hall that had been reopened for him.
“Unfortunately, due to the unexpected passing of the late Duke, we did not anticipate that the hall would be opening again so soon. I apologize that we were unable to have it ready for you, Your Grace.”
Everett shook his head. “No need to apologize, Ms. Baker. It was quite unexpected.”
The estate felt oddly familiar to Everett, but not recognizable. Almost the way you remember a dream immediately after waking but you can never quite get the full picture clear. It felt odd and he found himself drifting into a sort of daydream when Philip finally arrived from the car and joined them.
“This is quite a place, Rett.”
Everett nodded, taking in the scene as they strode up the stairs of the grand hall. The floors below were a bold black and white marble and the rich mahogany wood of the railings was shiny and smelled of fresh polish. They had made sure to clean and polish this area of the home so that it was presentable for his arrival. As the light shone through the rows of windows lining the front of the house, however, he could see the particles of dust floating through the air from years of inactivity. When they reached the second floor, Everett and Phil were each taken to their respective rooms where their valets had stored their belongings. Everett had asked not to be placed in the Duke’s former chambers. It felt odd to him to take over the bed his father and mother slept in, even if it was so many years ago.
“Is there anything I can get you, Your Grace?” Edna inquired.
“No thank you, Ms. Baker. I believe I will wash up and perhaps take a stroll in the gardens before dinner.”
“Very well, Your Grace.”
Phil stretched beside him. “I think I am going to rest a bit longer. I’ll be down for dinner.”
Everett nodded and turned to go but then stopped. “Thank you, Phil.”
Phil shrugged, “What for?”
“You’re a good friend, Phil. I know the decision to move out here and help me to get settled into….all of this. It was not an easy choice.”
“Sure it was.” Phil clapped Everett on the shoulder. “That’s what friends do, Everett.”
And with that, Everett and Phil parted ways, into their rooms.
After getting washed and shaved, Everett felt like a new man. He once again, wandered through Greenwood Hall, this time with fresh eyes. It wasn’t time for dinner and the weather was fine, so he exited onto the veranda to look out at the gardens.
The gardens covered acres of land and included a hedge maze, a pergola covered with roses and wisteria, flowering bushes, and a glass greenhouse for a winter garden.
Everett closed his eyes and breathed in the fresh air, lightly scented with the early spring buds beginning to blossom. He opened his eyes and looked out at the sky. It was startling the colors that he could pick up when he looked. There was orange and yellow, but red, pink, and purple too. He couldn't remember the last time he had paid any mind to the sky at dusk and realized just how lovely it truly is. But when he heard the screech of the old back door open, his eyes easily left the sky to study the woman exiting below.
She was wearing a long flowing dress and he could see she was thin but strong. Her hair was strawberry blonde and pulled back into a braid, although several strands had escaped and were flying wildly around her as an evening breeze blew in.
Everett was mesmerized by her, watching her walk purposefully across the narrow garden path and towards the forest. He had not even seen her face, but with each step she took away from him, a feeling of panic began to rise in his chest. He stared, fighting the urge to call out or run after her. He needed to stop her, but no words came. So he simply watched, until she was gone, disappearing into the trees.
Everett exhaled, realizing he had been holding his breath. He instinctively clapped his large hand over his chest, feeling his heart wake up like a bear hibernating for a long winter and suddenly coming alive with the spring. Everett did not know exactly what this strange feeling of longing and regret was, but he knew one thing. He needed to find her.
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I have two kiddos that keep me busy and an adorable pup named Beast that loves to snuggle. Here's my buddy.
I love to read every genre! There really isn't one I don't like, it mostly just depends on my mood.
Some of my favorite books are Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Stephanie Plum novels, Court of Thorns and Roses, Bridgerton Series, Grapes of Wrath, I'm seriously all over the place.
I am the same way with television and love Schitts Creek, true crime documentaries, Sons of Anarchy, Vikings, and cheesy reality TV.
My daughters are really into WWE and I love Rhea Ripley and Becky Lynch.
I also write in several genres and currently have two WIP.
The first is a novel that's in its second draft. I'm working on additional changes and will be sharing them on this platform as well as Wattpad. It's a romantic mystery called Surving Karma.
The second WIP is a Regency Romance called Wild Lavender. I have posted the first chapter on here and Wattpad. Summaries are below the cut.
I would LOVE to read some of my fellow writerblrs, so please Tag me to check out your work.
My DMs are open and I love making friends.
Happy writing/reading!
Karma, the universe's funny little way of keeping a tally on each of us and making sure that before the end, it all evens out.
I believe in Karma. And that is why I have spent the past five years working my ass off to try to add some good juju to my scorecard. The first twenty-something years? Well, let's be honest, I have some serious marks against me; and that's just what I can remember!
My name is Collins Alexander, and I'm a recovering alcoholic.
Five years ago, I hit my bottom in a serendipitous fall from grace that landed me a month in rehab, an end to my law career and an eviction from my high rise apartment in the Chicago loop.
Now I'm trying to offset my negative balance with Karma by devoting my life to helping other addicts in a state run rehab. And things were going pretty well too, until the handsome District Attorney, Keaton Donnelly showed up with a picture of my former defendant, missing a few appendages and news that I was next.
And if that wasn't bad enough, they assigned an undercover agent to assist. His name is Derek Nowak and he's got intel on the Chicago gang scene and a smile known for dropping panties all over the Midwest. This is doing nothing to help my mind stay focused on keeping all my appendages intact.
So here I am, in my black bootie Louboutins, a final remnant of my prior life, holding a steaming cup of black coffee and running like hell.
Cause Karma is nasty bitch, and she's coming to settle a score.
Summary: Everett Greenwood never expected to be the Duke of Rorchester, that was a job for his older brother. But when sudden tragedy strikes, he finds himself thrust into a life he never wanted. Then he sees Melina delivering honey to the grand hall. The girl who lives in a shack in the woods becomes the only love his heart has ever known, but can society accept the simple woman as his choice? And will secrets from her past destroy their chance at love? Find out in Wild Lavender.
Summary: Everett Greenwood never expected to be the Duke of Rorchester, that was a job for his older brother. But when sudden tragedy strikes, he finds himself thrust into a life he never wanted. Then he sees Melina delivering honey to the grand hall. The girl who lives in a shack in the woods becomes the only love his heart has ever known, but can society accept the simple woman as his choice? And will secrets from her past destroy their chance at love? Find out in Wild Lavender.
Note: This story is intended to be a Regency Romance and I have attempted to stay historically accurate, however, I am not a historian, so please excuse any errors.
Everett Greenwood sipped on a glass of brandy as stared out the window of his office. The small flat he called his home for the last several years was perched above a main thoroughfare in London and gave him the perfect vantage point to watch the bustling streets below. It was evening, and the sky was slowly darkening the way it does in the early days of spring. Many were on the street, the unusually fine weather pulling ladies and gentlemen alike from their homes to enjoy the fresh air. There were elegantly dressed couples in carriages, others strolling home from dinner parties and some just enjoying an evening stroll.
London
Everett did not consider himself to be a nostalgic sort, but he had to admit that he felt a pang of sadness at the realization that this would be the last night he would take in this view.
His thoughts were interrupted by a high-pitched giggle coming from down the hall, followed by the low moan of a male's voice. Everett shook his head moving towards the door to close it when the door down the hall flung open. A woman furiously stomped down the hall while Phillip Matthews, still only partially dressed and holding his trousers up with one hand, shouted after her.
“Is it Anne? Lily! It must be Lily.” He faltered as the woman reached the bottom of the stairs and he made one final attempt. “Ruth?”
Her head snapped back to Philip's.
"It's Beatrix, you prat."
And with that, she was out the door.
Everett watched as Phil ambled into his office and slumped onto the couch. He poured him a brandy and refilled his own before he took the seat opposite him.
“That didn’t quite go as planned, I imagine.”
Phil shook his head and poured back the brandy.
“Not even one bit,” he sucked the air in through his teeth. “I certainly hope you have more forgiving women in Rorchester.
Everett shrugged, taking a sip of his drink. “I wouldn’t know. I haven’t been there since I was six years old.”
Phil's dark eyebrows knit together in confusion. "Since you were six? But your father was the Duke!"
"Yes, but we never lived there. He kept the London home and we lived here where Mother could be a more central part of society. Occasionally he had to go to Rorchester, but he never brought me. George was the oldest and would become Duke, so I didn't have to be there."
"Well, this is great news then!" Phil slapped his knee in excitement. "You can just do the same and we don't need to leave London and head out into the middle of the countryside where nothing and no one exists."
The stare Everett issued to Phil said plenty and he once again reiterated, "You do not have to come Phil. I will be just fine on my own. Besides, I've been thinking of asking Kipley to join me in Rorchester to help get things in order."
Phil's mouth fell open in shock. "First, you are not doing this without me. You need me. Secondly, why on earth would you invite Kip? He has got to be the most extraordinary dull human being in all of England!"
Everett did his best to hide his smirk. "Kip happens to be extremely good at arithmetic. I understand he was a great help to his uncle in organizing his books."
"Of course, you understand that!" He was standing now, pacing the room, still holding his trousers up with his fist. "He told us no less than three hundred times what a big help he was!"
Everett knew this line of conversation would irritate Phil and he was rather enjoying goading his closest friend. Still, asking for assistance from Kipling Stromwell was an intriguing idea. The truth was that Everett had no idea how to run a Duchy. Not only had his father neglected to teach him, but Everett had little interest in such dealings. He had spent his years after university in His Majesty's Navy. That was how second-born sons were meant to bring their families pride. But now, with both his father and brother killed in a sudden accident, he became responsible for his mother, his two younger sisters, and an enormous quantity of land and the people living on it. He knew absolutely nothing about how to successfully do this. The only thing he did know was that he didn’t want to do it the way his father did. Everett didn’t take things lightly, so although it was not the position he wanted or imagined himself in, he would do it to the best of his ability, nonetheless. So, he packed up his life, sold his flat, and sent all his father's records to Rorchester. His mother and sisters could stay in the London home. There was no need to further disrupt their lives. But Everett knew the only way to learn about his duty and to do it well, was to be in Rorchester.
"Tell me you are kidding about Kip, Everett" Phil pleaded.
"He would be useful. I'm not certain you could claim the same" Everett challenged.
Phil scoffed. "My uses are far and beyond bookkeeping."
"Oh really? Such as…"
Phil stood thinking and then snapped his fingers in delight. "Entertainment. Who else will make sure you don't become some stuffy old Duke, wasting away in his grand estate? I'll keep you young and having fun…and getting laid" he smirked.
"You didn't seem to do such a great job of it for yourself."
Phil scoffed. "I've had to bid farewell to far too many women this week. I was bound to make a mistake here or there."
Everett chuckled. He adored Phil from the moment they met at University and he convinced him to cheat at a game of cards. They were both quite inebriated and their attempts did not go unnoticed. It only took a few hands before they were discovered, but Phil, keen as he was, noticed a split second before they were confronted. He shoved a fistful of winnings into his waistcoat, grabbed a bottle of scotch off a nearby table, and tugged Everett out the door.
They ran as fast as they could, twisting through alleyways and side streets. Everett can still remember how much his lungs burned with the exertion and how his cheeks ached with laughter. Eventually, they ducked into an empty doorway and hid out of sight until they were sure they were safe. It was then they opened the scotch and each took a long pull on the bottle. Phil emptied his pockets and they counted their winnings.
“You do realize that my father is a Duke, Philip. Money is not hard to come by. I easily could have bought a bottle of liquor,” Everett chuckled.
Phil shook his head, still counting their loot. “My father is the Earl of Barlington” His voice became low and stern, mimicking his father. “We’ve always been able to buy whatever we please, Everett. The point is”, he looked up meeting Everett’s eyes. “Liquor tastes better when stolen and a muff feels better when borrowed.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Now come on, Everett. Let's go to the brothel. I think we have just enough.”
“What is it?” Phil asked, taking in the faraway look on Everett’s face.
“Nothing. I was just remembering the day we met.”
Phil smirked, “Damn, I still have dreams about that blonde.”
“You do have a way of entertaining, I suppose. Although I’m rather shocked we made it without ever getting into trouble. Especially in the Navy.”
“We were officers in the Navy, Rett. The son of a Duke and an Earl at that. How much could they do to us?”
Everett shook his head, “The second son of a Duke and the third of an Earl. It may have gotten us out of a few jams at University but His Majesty’s Navy is an entirely different story.”
“Fair enough,” Phil stood, setting down his empty glass with a clang. “Now it’s our last night out in London for a good while. And you, my friend, are no longer the second son, but a Duke in his own right. Let's go out in the city and see how much we can get away with, eh?”
The following morning, Everett woke with a start. To be clear, it was not his first time waking that day, nor was it morning. Everett had already rose, dressed, and poured himself into a carriage headed for Rorchester. He remembered very little of this, other than his head throbbing painfully and the sun seeming exceedingly bright for the hour. It took only a moment before he was, once again fast asleep to the rumbling of the carriage.
The second time he woke, was half a day later when the carriage stopped at Greenwood Hall. Everett peeled his eyes open, taking a moment to adjust to the lack of movement, and ran his hands through his thick brown hair. His large hand rubbed the scruff on his chiseled jaw that he had neglected to shave before departing. It was not the impression he had intended to make but when he recalled the night of revelry he enjoyed in his final night living in London, he could not say that he regretted his carelessness with his appearance. Everett’s muscles felt tight from the long journey and he took a moment to stretch his limbs. As he did so, he attempted to rouse Philip.
“We’re here, Phil”
Phil rolled over with a groan and buried his face.
Everett harshly nudged his leg. “We’re here. Get up!”
“Alright, alright. Clearly what the Duke says, goes.” He lifted his head with a gruff.
“Have you finished mocking me?”
Phil stretched with a smirk.
“I’m insulted! I would never challenge the commands of the Master of the House.”
“You are an ass,” Everett growled and exited the vehicle. He walked towards the house, taking in the staff waiting outside to meet him. It was a skeleton staff at this point, only the bare minimum until Phil had adjusted to what was needed and arranged for the necessary hiring.
Everett and Phil had brought their valets from London which would be plenty for the time being. In addition, there was a butler and housekeeper, cook, and several general maids together performing the tasks that a dozen or more staff would normally do. However, since the great house had remained closed up, outside the servants' quarters, that was enough.
Greenwood Hall was a grand hall of dark red brick accented with white stone entryways and windows. The hall was wide and flanked by a clock tower on one side and an orangery on the other. Behind the estate was one of the grandest gardens in all of England. It had been designed by Everett’s great-grandmother who deeply loved Rorchester and Greenwood Hall. He grew up hearing the stories, but never fully understood why his father had abandoned the hall. It’s true, this area was not wealthy. Everett had heard his father complain for years that the farmers were not successful in this area and the villages were poverty-stricken. It seemed an odd revelation to behold this grand empty hall presiding over it all.
Everett took a few moments to introduce himself to the staff and allowed the housekeeper, Edna Baker to show him through the parts of the hall that had been reopened for him.
“Unfortunately, due to the unexpected passing of the late Duke, we did not anticipate that the hall would be opening again so soon. I apologize that we were unable to have it ready for you, Your Grace.”
Everett shook his head. “No need to apologize, Ms. Baker. It was quite unexpected.”
The estate felt oddly familiar to Everett, but not recognizable. Almost the way you remember a dream immediately after waking but you can never quite get the full picture clear. It felt odd and he found himself drifting into a sort of daydream when Philip finally arrived from the car and joined them.
“This is quite a place, Rett.”
Everett nodded, taking in the scene as they strode up the stairs of the grand hall. The floors below were a bold black and white marble and the rich mahogany wood of the railings was shiny and smelled of fresh polish. They had made sure to clean and polish this area of the home so that it was presentable for his arrival. As the light shone through the rows of windows lining the front of the house, however, he could see the particles of dust floating through the air from years of inactivity. When they reached the second floor, Everett and Phil were each taken to their respective rooms where their valets had stored their belongings. Everett had asked not to be placed in the Duke’s former chambers. It felt odd to him to take over the bed his father and mother slept in, even if it was so many years ago.
“Is there anything I can get you, Your Grace?” Edna inquired.
“No thank you, Ms. Baker. I believe I will wash up and perhaps take a stroll in the gardens before dinner.”
“Very well, Your Grace.”
Phil stretched beside him. “I think I am going to rest a bit longer. I’ll be down for dinner.”
Everett nodded and turned to go but then stopped. “Thank you, Phil.”
Phil shrugged, “What for?”
“You’re a good friend, Phil. I know the decision to move out here and help me to get settled into….all of this. It was not an easy choice.”
“Sure it was.” Phil clapped Everett on the shoulder. “That’s what friends do, Everett.”
And with that, Everett and Phil parted ways, into their rooms.
After getting washed and shaved, Everett felt like a new man. He once again, wandered through Greenwood Hall, this time with fresh eyes. It wasn’t time for dinner and the weather was fine, so he exited onto the veranda to look out at the gardens.
The gardens covered acres of land and included a hedge maze, a pergola covered with roses and wisteria, flowering bushes, and a glass greenhouse for a winter garden.
Everett closed his eyes and breathed in the fresh air, lightly scented with the early spring buds beginning to blossom. He opened his eyes and looked out at the sky. It was startling the colors that he could pick up when he looked. There was orange and yellow, but red, pink, and purple too. He couldn't remember the last time he had paid any mind to the sky at dusk and realized just how lovely it truly is. But when he heard the screech of the old back door open, his eyes easily left the sky to study the woman exiting below.
She was wearing a long flowing dress and he could see she was thin but strong. Her hair was strawberry blonde and pulled back into a braid, although several strands had escaped and were flying wildly around her as an evening breeze blew in.
Everett was mesmerized by her, watching her walk purposefully across the narrow garden path and towards the forest. He had not even seen her face, but with each step she took away from him, a feeling of panic began to rise in his chest. He stared, fighting the urge to call out or run after her. He needed to stop her, but no words came. So he simply watched, until she was gone, disappearing into the trees.
Everett exhaled, realizing he had been holding his breath. He instinctively clapped his large hand over his chest, feeling his heart wake up like a bear hibernating for a long winter and suddenly coming alive with the spring. Everett did not know exactly what this strange feeling of longing and regret was, but he knew one thing. He needed to find her.
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Summary: Everett Greenwood never expected to be the Duke of Rorchester, that was a job for his older brother. But when sudden tragedy strikes, he finds himself thrust into a life he never wanted. Then he sees Melina delivering honey to the grand hall. The girl who lives in a shack in the woods becomes the only love his heart has ever known, but can society accept the simple woman as his choice? And will secrets from her past destroy their chance at love? Find out in Wild Lavender.
Note: This story is intended to be a Regency Romance and I have attempted to stay historically accurate, however, I am not a historian, so please excuse any errors.
Everett Greenwood sipped on a glass of brandy as stared out the window of his office. The small flat he called his home for the last several years was perched above a main thoroughfare in London and gave him the perfect vantage point to watch the bustling streets below. It was evening, and the sky was slowly darkening the way it does in the early days of spring. Many were on the street, the unusually fine weather pulling ladies and gentlemen alike from their homes to enjoy the fresh air. There were elegantly dressed couples in carriages, others strolling home from dinner parties and some just enjoying an evening stroll.
London
Everett did not consider himself to be a nostalgic sort, but he had to admit that he felt a pang of sadness at the realization that this would be the last night he would take in this view.
His thoughts were interrupted by a high-pitched giggle coming from down the hall, followed by the low moan of a male's voice. Everett shook his head moving towards the door to close it when the door down the hall flung open. A woman furiously stomped down the hall while Phillip Matthews, still only partially dressed and holding his trousers up with one hand, shouted after her.
“Is it Anne? Lily! It must be Lily.” He faltered as the woman reached the bottom of the stairs and he made one final attempt. “Ruth?”
Her head snapped back to Philip's.
"It's Beatrix, you prat."
And with that, she was out the door.
Everett watched as Phil ambled into his office and slumped onto the couch. He poured him a brandy and refilled his own before he took the seat opposite him.
“That didn’t quite go as planned, I imagine.”
Phil shook his head and poured back the brandy.
“Not even one bit,” he sucked the air in through his teeth. “I certainly hope you have more forgiving women in Rorchester.
Everett shrugged, taking a sip of his drink. “I wouldn’t know. I haven’t been there since I was six years old.”
Phil's dark eyebrows knit together in confusion. "Since you were six? But your father was the Duke!"
"Yes, but we never lived there. He kept the London home and we lived here where Mother could be a more central part of society. Occasionally he had to go to Rorchester, but he never brought me. George was the oldest and would become Duke, so I didn't have to be there."
"Well, this is great news then!" Phil slapped his knee in excitement. "You can just do the same and we don't need to leave London and head out into the middle of the countryside where nothing and no one exists."
The stare Everett issued to Phil said plenty and he once again reiterated, "You do not have to come Phil. I will be just fine on my own. Besides, I've been thinking of asking Kipley to join me in Rorchester to help get things in order."
Phil's mouth fell open in shock. "First, you are not doing this without me. You need me. Secondly, why on earth would you invite Kip? He has got to be the most extraordinary dull human being in all of England!"
Everett did his best to hide his smirk. "Kip happens to be extremely good at arithmetic. I understand he was a great help to his uncle in organizing his books."
"Of course, you understand that!" He was standing now, pacing the room, still holding his trousers up with his fist. "He told us no less than three hundred times what a big help he was!"
Everett knew this line of conversation would irritate Phil and he was rather enjoying goading his closest friend. Still, asking for assistance from Kipling Stromwell was an intriguing idea. The truth was that Everett had no idea how to run a Duchy. Not only had his father neglected to teach him, but Everett had little interest in such dealings. He had spent his years after university in His Majesty's Navy. That was how second-born sons were meant to bring their families pride. But now, with both his father and brother killed in a sudden accident, he became responsible for his mother, his two younger sisters, and an enormous quantity of land and the people living on it. He knew absolutely nothing about how to successfully do this. The only thing he did know was that he didn’t want to do it the way his father did. Everett didn’t take things lightly, so although it was not the position he wanted or imagined himself in, he would do it to the best of his ability, nonetheless. So, he packed up his life, sold his flat, and sent all his father's records to Rorchester. His mother and sisters could stay in the London home. There was no need to further disrupt their lives. But Everett knew the only way to learn about his duty and to do it well, was to be in Rorchester.
"Tell me you are kidding about Kip, Everett" Phil pleaded.
"He would be useful. I'm not certain you could claim the same" Everett challenged.
Phil scoffed. "My uses are far and beyond bookkeeping."
"Oh really? Such as…"
Phil stood thinking and then snapped his fingers in delight. "Entertainment. Who else will make sure you don't become some stuffy old Duke, wasting away in his grand estate? I'll keep you young and having fun…and getting laid" he smirked.
"You didn't seem to do such a great job of it for yourself."
Phil scoffed. "I've had to bid farewell to far too many women this week. I was bound to make a mistake here or there."
Everett chuckled. He adored Phil from the moment they met at University and he convinced him to cheat at a game of cards. They were both quite inebriated and their attempts did not go unnoticed. It only took a few hands before they were discovered, but Phil, keen as he was, noticed a split second before they were confronted. He shoved a fistful of winnings into his waistcoat, grabbed a bottle of scotch off a nearby table, and tugged Everett out the door.
They ran as fast as they could, twisting through alleyways and side streets. Everett can still remember how much his lungs burned with the exertion and how his cheeks ached with laughter. Eventually, they ducked into an empty doorway and hid out of sight until they were sure they were safe. It was then they opened the scotch and each took a long pull on the bottle. Phil emptied his pockets and they counted their winnings.
“You do realize that my father is a Duke, Philip. Money is not hard to come by. I easily could have bought a bottle of liquor,” Everett chuckled.
Phil shook his head, still counting their loot. “My father is the Earl of Barlington” His voice became low and stern, mimicking his father. “We’ve always been able to buy whatever we please, Everett. The point is”, he looked up meeting Everett’s eyes. “Liquor tastes better when stolen and a muff feels better when borrowed.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Now come on, Everett. Let's go to the brothel. I think we have just enough.”
“What is it?” Phil asked, taking in the faraway look on Everett’s face.
“Nothing. I was just remembering the day we met.”
Phil smirked, “Damn, I still have dreams about that blonde.”
“You do have a way of entertaining, I suppose. Although I’m rather shocked we made it without ever getting into trouble. Especially in the Navy.”
“We were officers in the Navy, Rett. The son of a Duke and an Earl at that. How much could they do to us?”
Everett shook his head, “The second son of a Duke and the third of an Earl. It may have gotten us out of a few jams at University but His Majesty’s Navy is an entirely different story.”
“Fair enough,” Phil stood, setting down his empty glass with a clang. “Now it’s our last night out in London for a good while. And you, my friend, are no longer the second son, but a Duke in his own right. Let's go out in the city and see how much we can get away with, eh?”
The following morning, Everett woke with a start. To be clear, it was not his first time waking that day, nor was it morning. Everett had already rose, dressed, and poured himself into a carriage headed for Rorchester. He remembered very little of this, other than his head throbbing painfully and the sun seeming exceedingly bright for the hour. It took only a moment before he was, once again fast asleep to the rumbling of the carriage.
The second time he woke, was half a day later when the carriage stopped at Greenwood Hall. Everett peeled his eyes open, taking a moment to adjust to the lack of movement, and ran his hands through his thick brown hair. His large hand rubbed the scruff on his chiseled jaw that he had neglected to shave before departing. It was not the impression he had intended to make but when he recalled the night of revelry he enjoyed in his final night living in London, he could not say that he regretted his carelessness with his appearance. Everett’s muscles felt tight from the long journey and he took a moment to stretch his limbs. As he did so, he attempted to rouse Philip.
“We’re here, Phil”
Phil rolled over with a groan and buried his face.
Everett harshly nudged his leg. “We’re here. Get up!”
“Alright, alright. Clearly what the Duke says, goes.” He lifted his head with a gruff.
“Have you finished mocking me?”
Phil stretched with a smirk.
“I’m insulted! I would never challenge the commands of the Master of the House.”
“You are an ass,” Everett growled and exited the vehicle. He walked towards the house, taking in the staff waiting outside to meet him. It was a skeleton staff at this point, only the bare minimum until Phil had adjusted to what was needed and arranged for the necessary hiring.
Everett and Phil had brought their valets from London which would be plenty for the time being. In addition, there was a butler and housekeeper, cook, and several general maids together performing the tasks that a dozen or more staff would normally do. However, since the great house had remained closed up, outside the servants' quarters, that was enough.
Greenwood Hall was a grand hall of dark red brick accented with white stone entryways and windows. The hall was wide and flanked by a clock tower on one side and an orangery on the other. Behind the estate was one of the grandest gardens in all of England. It had been designed by Everett’s great-grandmother who deeply loved Rorchester and Greenwood Hall. He grew up hearing the stories, but never fully understood why his father had abandoned the hall. It’s true, this area was not wealthy. Everett had heard his father complain for years that the farmers were not successful in this area and the villages were poverty-stricken. It seemed an odd revelation to behold this grand empty hall presiding over it all.
Everett took a few moments to introduce himself to the staff and allowed the housekeeper, Edna Baker to show him through the parts of the hall that had been reopened for him.
“Unfortunately, due to the unexpected passing of the late Duke, we did not anticipate that the hall would be opening again so soon. I apologize that we were unable to have it ready for you, Your Grace.”
Everett shook his head. “No need to apologize, Ms. Baker. It was quite unexpected.”
The estate felt oddly familiar to Everett, but not recognizable. Almost the way you remember a dream immediately after waking but you can never quite get the full picture clear. It felt odd and he found himself drifting into a sort of daydream when Philip finally arrived from the car and joined them.
“This is quite a place, Rett.”
Everett nodded, taking in the scene as they strode up the stairs of the grand hall. The floors below were a bold black and white marble and the rich mahogany wood of the railings was shiny and smelled of fresh polish. They had made sure to clean and polish this area of the home so that it was presentable for his arrival. As the light shone through the rows of windows lining the front of the house, however, he could see the particles of dust floating through the air from years of inactivity. When they reached the second floor, Everett and Phil were each taken to their respective rooms where their valets had stored their belongings. Everett had asked not to be placed in the Duke’s former chambers. It felt odd to him to take over the bed his father and mother slept in, even if it was so many years ago.
“Is there anything I can get you, Your Grace?” Edna inquired.
“No thank you, Ms. Baker. I believe I will wash up and perhaps take a stroll in the gardens before dinner.”
“Very well, Your Grace.”
Phil stretched beside him. “I think I am going to rest a bit longer. I’ll be down for dinner.”
Everett nodded and turned to go but then stopped. “Thank you, Phil.”
Phil shrugged, “What for?”
“You’re a good friend, Phil. I know the decision to move out here and help me to get settled into….all of this. It was not an easy choice.”
“Sure it was.” Phil clapped Everett on the shoulder. “That’s what friends do, Everett.”
And with that, Everett and Phil parted ways, into their rooms.
After getting washed and shaved, Everett felt like a new man. He once again, wandered through Greenwood Hall, this time with fresh eyes. It wasn’t time for dinner and the weather was fine, so he exited onto the veranda to look out at the gardens.
The gardens covered acres of land and included a hedge maze, a pergola covered with roses and wisteria, flowering bushes, and a glass greenhouse for a winter garden.
Everett closed his eyes and breathed in the fresh air, lightly scented with the early spring buds beginning to blossom. He opened his eyes and looked out at the sky. It was startling the colors that he could pick up when he looked. There was orange and yellow, but red, pink, and purple too. He couldn't remember the last time he had paid any mind to the sky at dusk and realized just how lovely it truly is. But when he heard the screech of the old back door open, his eyes easily left the sky to study the woman exiting below.
She was wearing a long flowing dress and he could see she was thin but strong. Her hair was strawberry blonde and pulled back into a braid, although several strands had escaped and were flying wildly around her as an evening breeze blew in.
Everett was mesmerized by her, watching her walk purposefully across the narrow garden path and towards the forest. He had not even seen her face, but with each step she took away from him, a feeling of panic began to rise in his chest. He stared, fighting the urge to call out or run after her. He needed to stop her, but no words came. So he simply watched, until she was gone, disappearing into the trees.
Everett exhaled, realizing he had been holding his breath. He instinctively clapped his large hand over his chest, feeling his heart wake up like a bear hibernating for a long winter and suddenly coming alive with the spring. Everett did not know exactly what this strange feeling of longing and regret was, but he knew one thing. He needed to find her.
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Summary: Everett Greenwood never expected to be the Duke of Rorchester, that was a job for his older brother. But when sudden tragedy strikes, he finds himself thrust into a life he never wanted. Then he sees Melina delivering honey to the grand hall. The girl who lives in a shack in the woods becomes the only love his heart has ever known, but can society accept the simple woman as his choice? And will secrets from her past destroy their chance at love? Find out in Wild Lavender.
Note: This story is intended to be a Regency Romance and I have attempted to stay historically accurate, however, I am not a historian, so please excuse any errors.
Everett Greenwood sipped on a glass of brandy as stared out the window of his office. The small flat he called his home for the last several years was perched above a main thoroughfare in London and gave him the perfect vantage point to watch the bustling streets below. It was evening, and the sky was slowly darkening the way it does in the early days of spring. Many were on the street, the unusually fine weather pulling ladies and gentlemen alike from their homes to enjoy the fresh air. There were elegantly dressed couples in carriages, others strolling home from dinner parties and some just enjoying an evening stroll.
London
Everett did not consider himself to be a nostalgic sort, but he had to admit that he felt a pang of sadness at the realization that this would be the last night he would take in this view.
His thoughts were interrupted by a high-pitched giggle coming from down the hall, followed by the low moan of a male's voice. Everett shook his head moving towards the door to close it when the door down the hall flung open. A woman furiously stomped down the hall while Phillip Matthews, still only partially dressed and holding his trousers up with one hand, shouted after her.
“Is it Anne? Lily! It must be Lily.” He faltered as the woman reached the bottom of the stairs and he made one final attempt. “Ruth?”
Her head snapped back to Philip's.
"It's Beatrix, you prat."
And with that, she was out the door.
Everett watched as Phil ambled into his office and slumped onto the couch. He poured him a brandy and refilled his own before he took the seat opposite him.
“That didn’t quite go as planned, I imagine.”
Phil shook his head and poured back the brandy.
“Not even one bit,” he sucked the air in through his teeth. “I certainly hope you have more forgiving women in Rorchester.
Everett shrugged, taking a sip of his drink. “I wouldn’t know. I haven’t been there since I was six years old.”
Phil's dark eyebrows knit together in confusion. "Since you were six? But your father was the Duke!"
"Yes, but we never lived there. He kept the London home and we lived here where Mother could be a more central part of society. Occasionally he had to go to Rorchester, but he never brought me. George was the oldest and would become Duke, so I didn't have to be there."
"Well, this is great news then!" Phil slapped his knee in excitement. "You can just do the same and we don't need to leave London and head out into the middle of the countryside where nothing and no one exists."
The stare Everett issued to Phil said plenty and he once again reiterated, "You do not have to come Phil. I will be just fine on my own. Besides, I've been thinking of asking Kipley to join me in Rorchester to help get things in order."
Phil's mouth fell open in shock. "First, you are not doing this without me. You need me. Secondly, why on earth would you invite Kip? He has got to be the most extraordinary dull human being in all of England!"
Everett did his best to hide his smirk. "Kip happens to be extremely good at arithmetic. I understand he was a great help to his uncle in organizing his books."
"Of course, you understand that!" He was standing now, pacing the room, still holding his trousers up with his fist. "He told us no less than three hundred times what a big help he was!"
Everett knew this line of conversation would irritate Phil and he was rather enjoying goading his closest friend. Still, asking for assistance from Kipling Stromwell was an intriguing idea. The truth was that Everett had no idea how to run a Duchy. Not only had his father neglected to teach him, but Everett had little interest in such dealings. He had spent his years after university in His Majesty's Navy. That was how second-born sons were meant to bring their families pride. But now, with both his father and brother killed in a sudden accident, he became responsible for his mother, his two younger sisters, and an enormous quantity of land and the people living on it. He knew absolutely nothing about how to successfully do this. The only thing he did know was that he didn’t want to do it the way his father did. Everett didn’t take things lightly, so although it was not the position he wanted or imagined himself in, he would do it to the best of his ability, nonetheless. So, he packed up his life, sold his flat, and sent all his father's records to Rorchester. His mother and sisters could stay in the London home. There was no need to further disrupt their lives. But Everett knew the only way to learn about his duty and to do it well, was to be in Rorchester.
"Tell me you are kidding about Kip, Everett" Phil pleaded.
"He would be useful. I'm not certain you could claim the same" Everett challenged.
Phil scoffed. "My uses are far and beyond bookkeeping."
"Oh really? Such as…"
Phil stood thinking and then snapped his fingers in delight. "Entertainment. Who else will make sure you don't become some stuffy old Duke, wasting away in his grand estate? I'll keep you young and having fun…and getting laid" he smirked.
"You didn't seem to do such a great job of it for yourself."
Phil scoffed. "I've had to bid farewell to far too many women this week. I was bound to make a mistake here or there."
Everett chuckled. He adored Phil from the moment they met at University and he convinced him to cheat at a game of cards. They were both quite inebriated and their attempts did not go unnoticed. It only took a few hands before they were discovered, but Phil, keen as he was, noticed a split second before they were confronted. He shoved a fistful of winnings into his waistcoat, grabbed a bottle of scotch off a nearby table, and tugged Everett out the door.
They ran as fast as they could, twisting through alleyways and side streets. Everett can still remember how much his lungs burned with the exertion and how his cheeks ached with laughter. Eventually, they ducked into an empty doorway and hid out of sight until they were sure they were safe. It was then they opened the scotch and each took a long pull on the bottle. Phil emptied his pockets and they counted their winnings.
“You do realize that my father is a Duke, Philip. Money is not hard to come by. I easily could have bought a bottle of liquor,” Everett chuckled.
Phil shook his head, still counting their loot. “My father is the Earl of Barlington” His voice became low and stern, mimicking his father. “We’ve always been able to buy whatever we please, Everett. The point is”, he looked up meeting Everett’s eyes. “Liquor tastes better when stolen and a muff feels better when borrowed.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Now come on, Everett. Let's go to the brothel. I think we have just enough.”
“What is it?” Phil asked, taking in the faraway look on Everett’s face.
“Nothing. I was just remembering the day we met.”
Phil smirked, “Damn, I still have dreams about that blonde.”
“You do have a way of entertaining, I suppose. Although I’m rather shocked we made it without ever getting into trouble. Especially in the Navy.”
“We were officers in the Navy, Rett. The son of a Duke and an Earl at that. How much could they do to us?”
Everett shook his head, “The second son of a Duke and the third of an Earl. It may have gotten us out of a few jams at University but His Majesty’s Navy is an entirely different story.”
“Fair enough,” Phil stood, setting down his empty glass with a clang. “Now it’s our last night out in London for a good while. And you, my friend, are no longer the second son, but a Duke in his own right. Let's go out in the city and see how much we can get away with, eh?”
The following morning, Everett woke with a start. To be clear, it was not his first time waking that day, nor was it morning. Everett had already rose, dressed, and poured himself into a carriage headed for Rorchester. He remembered very little of this, other than his head throbbing painfully and the sun seeming exceedingly bright for the hour. It took only a moment before he was, once again fast asleep to the rumbling of the carriage.
The second time he woke, was half a day later when the carriage stopped at Greenwood Hall. Everett peeled his eyes open, taking a moment to adjust to the lack of movement, and ran his hands through his thick brown hair. His large hand rubbed the scruff on his chiseled jaw that he had neglected to shave before departing. It was not the impression he had intended to make but when he recalled the night of revelry he enjoyed in his final night living in London, he could not say that he regretted his carelessness with his appearance. Everett’s muscles felt tight from the long journey and he took a moment to stretch his limbs. As he did so, he attempted to rouse Philip.
“We’re here, Phil”
Phil rolled over with a groan and buried his face.
Everett harshly nudged his leg. “We’re here. Get up!”
“Alright, alright. Clearly what the Duke says, goes.” He lifted his head with a gruff.
“Have you finished mocking me?”
Phil stretched with a smirk.
“I’m insulted! I would never challenge the commands of the Master of the House.”
“You are an ass,” Everett growled and exited the vehicle. He walked towards the house, taking in the staff waiting outside to meet him. It was a skeleton staff at this point, only the bare minimum until Phil had adjusted to what was needed and arranged for the necessary hiring.
Everett and Phil had brought their valets from London which would be plenty for the time being. In addition, there was a butler and housekeeper, cook, and several general maids together performing the tasks that a dozen or more staff would normally do. However, since the great house had remained closed up, outside the servants' quarters, that was enough.
Greenwood Hall was a grand hall of dark red brick accented with white stone entryways and windows. The hall was wide and flanked by a clock tower on one side and an orangery on the other. Behind the estate was one of the grandest gardens in all of England. It had been designed by Everett’s great-grandmother who deeply loved Rorchester and Greenwood Hall. He grew up hearing the stories, but never fully understood why his father had abandoned the hall. It’s true, this area was not wealthy. Everett had heard his father complain for years that the farmers were not successful in this area and the villages were poverty-stricken. It seemed an odd revelation to behold this grand empty hall presiding over it all.
Everett took a few moments to introduce himself to the staff and allowed the housekeeper, Edna Baker to show him through the parts of the hall that had been reopened for him.
“Unfortunately, due to the unexpected passing of the late Duke, we did not anticipate that the hall would be opening again so soon. I apologize that we were unable to have it ready for you, Your Grace.”
Everett shook his head. “No need to apologize, Ms. Baker. It was quite unexpected.”
The estate felt oddly familiar to Everett, but not recognizable. Almost the way you remember a dream immediately after waking but you can never quite get the full picture clear. It felt odd and he found himself drifting into a sort of daydream when Philip finally arrived from the car and joined them.
“This is quite a place, Rett.”
Everett nodded, taking in the scene as they strode up the stairs of the grand hall. The floors below were a bold black and white marble and the rich mahogany wood of the railings was shiny and smelled of fresh polish. They had made sure to clean and polish this area of the home so that it was presentable for his arrival. As the light shone through the rows of windows lining the front of the house, however, he could see the particles of dust floating through the air from years of inactivity. When they reached the second floor, Everett and Phil were each taken to their respective rooms where their valets had stored their belongings. Everett had asked not to be placed in the Duke’s former chambers. It felt odd to him to take over the bed his father and mother slept in, even if it was so many years ago.
“Is there anything I can get you, Your Grace?” Edna inquired.
“No thank you, Ms. Baker. I believe I will wash up and perhaps take a stroll in the gardens before dinner.”
“Very well, Your Grace.”
Phil stretched beside him. “I think I am going to rest a bit longer. I’ll be down for dinner.”
Everett nodded and turned to go but then stopped. “Thank you, Phil.”
Phil shrugged, “What for?”
“You’re a good friend, Phil. I know the decision to move out here and help me to get settled into….all of this. It was not an easy choice.”
“Sure it was.” Phil clapped Everett on the shoulder. “That’s what friends do, Everett.”
And with that, Everett and Phil parted ways, into their rooms.
After getting washed and shaved, Everett felt like a new man. He once again, wandered through Greenwood Hall, this time with fresh eyes. It wasn’t time for dinner and the weather was fine, so he exited onto the veranda to look out at the gardens.
The gardens covered acres of land and included a hedge maze, a pergola covered with roses and wisteria, flowering bushes, and a glass greenhouse for a winter garden.
Everett closed his eyes and breathed in the fresh air, lightly scented with the early spring buds beginning to blossom. He opened his eyes and looked out at the sky. It was startling the colors that he could pick up when he looked. There was orange and yellow, but red, pink, and purple too. He couldn't remember the last time he had paid any mind to the sky at dusk and realized just how lovely it truly is. But when he heard the screech of the old back door open, his eyes easily left the sky to study the woman exiting below.
She was wearing a long flowing dress and he could see she was thin but strong. Her hair was strawberry blonde and pulled back into a braid, although several strands had escaped and were flying wildly around her as an evening breeze blew in.
Everett was mesmerized by her, watching her walk purposefully across the narrow garden path and towards the forest. He had not even seen her face, but with each step she took away from him, a feeling of panic began to rise in his chest. He stared, fighting the urge to call out or run after her. He needed to stop her, but no words came. So he simply watched, until she was gone, disappearing into the trees.
Everett exhaled, realizing he had been holding his breath. He instinctively clapped his large hand over his chest, feeling his heart wake up like a bear hibernating for a long winter and suddenly coming alive with the spring. Everett did not know exactly what this strange feeling of longing and regret was, but he knew one thing. He needed to find her.
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Summary: Everett Greenwood never expected to be the Duke of Rorchester, that was a job for his older brother. But when sudden tragedy strikes, he finds himself thrust into a life he never wanted. Then he sees Melina delivering honey to the grand hall. The girl who lives in a shack in the woods becomes the only love his heart has ever known, but can society accept the simple woman as his choice? And will secrets from her past destroy their chance at love? Find out in Wild Lavender.
Note: This story is intended to be a Regency Romance and I have attempted to stay historically accurate, however, I am not a historian, so please excuse any errors.
Everett Greenwood sipped on a glass of brandy as stared out the window of his office. The small flat he called his home for the last several years was perched above a main thoroughfare in London and gave him the perfect vantage point to watch the bustling streets below. It was evening, and the sky was slowly darkening the way it does in the early days of spring. Many were on the street, the unusually fine weather pulling ladies and gentlemen alike from their homes to enjoy the fresh air. There were elegantly dressed couples in carriages, others strolling home from dinner parties and some just enjoying an evening stroll.
London
Everett did not consider himself to be a nostalgic sort, but he had to admit that he felt a pang of sadness at the realization that this would be the last night he would take in this view.
His thoughts were interrupted by a high-pitched giggle coming from down the hall, followed by the low moan of a male's voice. Everett shook his head moving towards the door to close it when the door down the hall flung open. A woman furiously stomped down the hall while Phillip Matthews, still only partially dressed and holding his trousers up with one hand, shouted after her.
“Is it Anne? Lily! It must be Lily.” He faltered as the woman reached the bottom of the stairs and he made one final attempt. “Ruth?”
Her head snapped back to Philip's.
"It's Beatrix, you prat."
And with that, she was out the door.
Everett watched as Phil ambled into his office and slumped onto the couch. He poured him a brandy and refilled his own before he took the seat opposite him.
“That didn’t quite go as planned, I imagine.”
Phil shook his head and poured back the brandy.
“Not even one bit,” he sucked the air in through his teeth. “I certainly hope you have more forgiving women in Rorchester.
Everett shrugged, taking a sip of his drink. “I wouldn’t know. I haven’t been there since I was six years old.”
Phil's dark eyebrows knit together in confusion. "Since you were six? But your father was the Duke!"
"Yes, but we never lived there. He kept the London home and we lived here where Mother could be a more central part of society. Occasionally he had to go to Rorchester, but he never brought me. George was the oldest and would become Duke, so I didn't have to be there."
"Well, this is great news then!" Phil slapped his knee in excitement. "You can just do the same and we don't need to leave London and head out into the middle of the countryside where nothing and no one exists."
The stare Everett issued to Phil said plenty and he once again reiterated, "You do not have to come Phil. I will be just fine on my own. Besides, I've been thinking of asking Kipley to join me in Rorchester to help get things in order."
Phil's mouth fell open in shock. "First, you are not doing this without me. You need me. Secondly, why on earth would you invite Kip? He has got to be the most extraordinary dull human being in all of England!"
Everett did his best to hide his smirk. "Kip happens to be extremely good at arithmetic. I understand he was a great help to his uncle in organizing his books."
"Of course, you understand that!" He was standing now, pacing the room, still holding his trousers up with his fist. "He told us no less than three hundred times what a big help he was!"
Everett knew this line of conversation would irritate Phil and he was rather enjoying goading his closest friend. Still, asking for assistance from Kipling Stromwell was an intriguing idea. The truth was that Everett had no idea how to run a Duchy. Not only had his father neglected to teach him, but Everett had little interest in such dealings. He had spent his years after university in His Majesty's Navy. That was how second-born sons were meant to bring their families pride. But now, with both his father and brother killed in a sudden accident, he became responsible for his mother, his two younger sisters, and an enormous quantity of land and the people living on it. He knew absolutely nothing about how to successfully do this. The only thing he did know was that he didn’t want to do it the way his father did. Everett didn’t take things lightly, so although it was not the position he wanted or imagined himself in, he would do it to the best of his ability, nonetheless. So, he packed up his life, sold his flat, and sent all his father's records to Rorchester. His mother and sisters could stay in the London home. There was no need to further disrupt their lives. But Everett knew the only way to learn about his duty and to do it well, was to be in Rorchester.
"Tell me you are kidding about Kip, Everett" Phil pleaded.
"He would be useful. I'm not certain you could claim the same" Everett challenged.
Phil scoffed. "My uses are far and beyond bookkeeping."
"Oh really? Such as…"
Phil stood thinking and then snapped his fingers in delight. "Entertainment. Who else will make sure you don't become some stuffy old Duke, wasting away in his grand estate? I'll keep you young and having fun…and getting laid" he smirked.
"You didn't seem to do such a great job of it for yourself."
Phil scoffed. "I've had to bid farewell to far too many women this week. I was bound to make a mistake here or there."
Everett chuckled. He adored Phil from the moment they met at University and he convinced him to cheat at a game of cards. They were both quite inebriated and their attempts did not go unnoticed. It only took a few hands before they were discovered, but Phil, keen as he was, noticed a split second before they were confronted. He shoved a fistful of winnings into his waistcoat, grabbed a bottle of scotch off a nearby table, and tugged Everett out the door.
They ran as fast as they could, twisting through alleyways and side streets. Everett can still remember how much his lungs burned with the exertion and how his cheeks ached with laughter. Eventually, they ducked into an empty doorway and hid out of sight until they were sure they were safe. It was then they opened the scotch and each took a long pull on the bottle. Phil emptied his pockets and they counted their winnings.
“You do realize that my father is a Duke, Philip. Money is not hard to come by. I easily could have bought a bottle of liquor,” Everett chuckled.
Phil shook his head, still counting their loot. “My father is the Earl of Barlington” His voice became low and stern, mimicking his father. “We’ve always been able to buy whatever we please, Everett. The point is”, he looked up meeting Everett’s eyes. “Liquor tastes better when stolen and a muff feels better when borrowed.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Now come on, Everett. Let's go to the brothel. I think we have just enough.”
“What is it?” Phil asked, taking in the faraway look on Everett’s face.
“Nothing. I was just remembering the day we met.”
Phil smirked, “Damn, I still have dreams about that blonde.”
“You do have a way of entertaining, I suppose. Although I’m rather shocked we made it without ever getting into trouble. Especially in the Navy.”
“We were officers in the Navy, Rett. The son of a Duke and an Earl at that. How much could they do to us?”
Everett shook his head, “The second son of a Duke and the third of an Earl. It may have gotten us out of a few jams at University but His Majesty’s Navy is an entirely different story.”
“Fair enough,” Phil stood, setting down his empty glass with a clang. “Now it’s our last night out in London for a good while. And you, my friend, are no longer the second son, but a Duke in his own right. Let's go out in the city and see how much we can get away with, eh?”
The following morning, Everett woke with a start. To be clear, it was not his first time waking that day, nor was it morning. Everett had already rose, dressed, and poured himself into a carriage headed for Rorchester. He remembered very little of this, other than his head throbbing painfully and the sun seeming exceedingly bright for the hour. It took only a moment before he was, once again fast asleep to the rumbling of the carriage.
The second time he woke, was half a day later when the carriage stopped at Greenwood Hall. Everett peeled his eyes open, taking a moment to adjust to the lack of movement, and ran his hands through his thick brown hair. His large hand rubbed the scruff on his chiseled jaw that he had neglected to shave before departing. It was not the impression he had intended to make but when he recalled the night of revelry he enjoyed in his final night living in London, he could not say that he regretted his carelessness with his appearance. Everett’s muscles felt tight from the long journey and he took a moment to stretch his limbs. As he did so, he attempted to rouse Philip.
“We’re here, Phil”
Phil rolled over with a groan and buried his face.
Everett harshly nudged his leg. “We’re here. Get up!”
“Alright, alright. Clearly what the Duke says, goes.” He lifted his head with a gruff.
“Have you finished mocking me?”
Phil stretched with a smirk.
“I’m insulted! I would never challenge the commands of the Master of the House.”
“You are an ass,” Everett growled and exited the vehicle. He walked towards the house, taking in the staff waiting outside to meet him. It was a skeleton staff at this point, only the bare minimum until Phil had adjusted to what was needed and arranged for the necessary hiring.
Everett and Phil had brought their valets from London which would be plenty for the time being. In addition, there was a butler and housekeeper, cook, and several general maids together performing the tasks that a dozen or more staff would normally do. However, since the great house had remained closed up, outside the servants' quarters, that was enough.
Greenwood Hall was a grand hall of dark red brick accented with white stone entryways and windows. The hall was wide and flanked by a clock tower on one side and an orangery on the other. Behind the estate was one of the grandest gardens in all of England. It had been designed by Everett’s great-grandmother who deeply loved Rorchester and Greenwood Hall. He grew up hearing the stories, but never fully understood why his father had abandoned the hall. It’s true, this area was not wealthy. Everett had heard his father complain for years that the farmers were not successful in this area and the villages were poverty-stricken. It seemed an odd revelation to behold this grand empty hall presiding over it all.
Everett took a few moments to introduce himself to the staff and allowed the housekeeper, Edna Baker to show him through the parts of the hall that had been reopened for him.
“Unfortunately, due to the unexpected passing of the late Duke, we did not anticipate that the hall would be opening again so soon. I apologize that we were unable to have it ready for you, Your Grace.”
Everett shook his head. “No need to apologize, Ms. Baker. It was quite unexpected.”
The estate felt oddly familiar to Everett, but not recognizable. Almost the way you remember a dream immediately after waking but you can never quite get the full picture clear. It felt odd and he found himself drifting into a sort of daydream when Philip finally arrived from the car and joined them.
“This is quite a place, Rett.”
Everett nodded, taking in the scene as they strode up the stairs of the grand hall. The floors below were a bold black and white marble and the rich mahogany wood of the railings was shiny and smelled of fresh polish. They had made sure to clean and polish this area of the home so that it was presentable for his arrival. As the light shone through the rows of windows lining the front of the house, however, he could see the particles of dust floating through the air from years of inactivity. When they reached the second floor, Everett and Phil were each taken to their respective rooms where their valets had stored their belongings. Everett had asked not to be placed in the Duke’s former chambers. It felt odd to him to take over the bed his father and mother slept in, even if it was so many years ago.
“Is there anything I can get you, Your Grace?” Edna inquired.
“No thank you, Ms. Baker. I believe I will wash up and perhaps take a stroll in the gardens before dinner.”
“Very well, Your Grace.”
Phil stretched beside him. “I think I am going to rest a bit longer. I’ll be down for dinner.”
Everett nodded and turned to go but then stopped. “Thank you, Phil.”
Phil shrugged, “What for?”
“You’re a good friend, Phil. I know the decision to move out here and help me to get settled into….all of this. It was not an easy choice.”
“Sure it was.” Phil clapped Everett on the shoulder. “That’s what friends do, Everett.”
And with that, Everett and Phil parted ways, into their rooms.
After getting washed and shaved, Everett felt like a new man. He once again, wandered through Greenwood Hall, this time with fresh eyes. It wasn’t time for dinner and the weather was fine, so he exited onto the veranda to look out at the gardens.
The gardens covered acres of land and included a hedge maze, a pergola covered with roses and wisteria, flowering bushes, and a glass greenhouse for a winter garden.
Everett closed his eyes and breathed in the fresh air, lightly scented with the early spring buds beginning to blossom. He opened his eyes and looked out at the sky. It was startling the colors that he could pick up when he looked. There was orange and yellow, but red, pink, and purple too. He couldn't remember the last time he had paid any mind to the sky at dusk and realized just how lovely it truly is. But when he heard the screech of the old back door open, his eyes easily left the sky to study the woman exiting below.
She was wearing a long flowing dress and he could see she was thin but strong. Her hair was strawberry blonde and pulled back into a braid, although several strands had escaped and were flying wildly around her as an evening breeze blew in.
Everett was mesmerized by her, watching her walk purposefully across the narrow garden path and towards the forest. He had not even seen her face, but with each step she took away from him, a feeling of panic began to rise in his chest. He stared, fighting the urge to call out or run after her. He needed to stop her, but no words came. So he simply watched, until she was gone, disappearing into the trees.
Everett exhaled, realizing he had been holding his breath. He instinctively clapped his large hand over his chest, feeling his heart wake up like a bear hibernating for a long winter and suddenly coming alive with the spring. Everett did not know exactly what this strange feeling of longing and regret was, but he knew one thing. He needed to find her.
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