Deception and family honor are at stake and her heart as well.
Wesley Reynolds will do anything to avenge his familyís banishment from Dundhragon Castle even throw in with the notorious pirate, MacAlpin. His plan, ruin Lord Ewanís trading network. He has a more devious plan for his fatherís ëbest friend,í the man who abandoned them at the eleventh hour. Heíll ruin the manís most precious jewel, his daughter Darla. Wesleyís so close to ruining the trade network and succeeding he can almost taste it, but revenge is not nearly as sweet as Darlaís kisses.
Darla Maxwell, beloved by her parents has no prospects of marriage. Her father and Lord Ewan search to find her the right husband. Darlaís special gifts are frightening to many. She has visions that often come true. The murky image of a man haunts her, sheís sure itís Lord Ewanís soon-to-be son-in-law, but the vision morphs when she meets Wesley. The meaning couldnít be any clearer to her, her destiny lies with Wesley.
When revelations surface indicating Wesley has been deceived and his revenge misplaced. Will he find the truth of what really happened to his family in time to stop the pirates? Will Darla ever forgive him? Will he ever forgive himself?
Wesley got a good look. Justin. The manís clothes were stained, his hair greasy. His sunken eyes were threaded with scarlet so densely they appeared pink.
ìLook whoís here. The witch.î Justin said.
Darla didnít move. She didnít flinch.
Curses fell from Wesleyís lips as he raced forward.
ìCome on. Leave her alone.î Justinís friend pulled on his arm, but Justin wiggled out of his hold.
ìAre you afraid of a little spell? I tell you all we need is a bit of her blood, dab it around the boat, and weíll be protected. You canít back down now. You hold her. Justin took out his knife and waved it at her.
ìAs above so below. As within so without,î Darla chanted her hands raised and fingers stretched toward them. ìLet me see, how to finish the curse. I can make you into toads. No, that wonít do. Youíd give the little creatures a bad name. Something more particular to you.î
The two men grew paler by the minute.
ìAh yes. I can make your ballocks fall off. Of course, Iím not proficient with this spell, so youíll never know when it will happen, when you bathe, relieve yourself, or other more intimate moments.î
A well-practiced evil grin spread across her face that left no doubt she enjoyed the torment she inflicted. She stretched her arms and flexed her fingers reaching toward the two men.
ìYes, that will do.î
Justinís friend took off running down the lane. Darla lowered her arms.
ìOh, what a pity heís gone. The curse is specifically for two people.î Her brow wrinkled. ìAh, but Iím sure I can refocus it all on you.î
Darla raised her hands again. This time she pointed at Justinís crotch. Her expression intense.
The drunk squirmed. His eyes lit with fear. Slowly, he lowered his knife.
Wesley took advantage of the manís preoccupation and worked his way behind him. As soon as he was in place he tapped the drunk on the shoulder.
Justin gave a small yelp. When he turned, Wesley threw a right fist across his chin and laid him flat. Satisfied the man was out, he marched over to Darla and grabbed her hand.
ìWhere are you going? What were you thinking? And what is this nonsense about casting a spell?î
ìYou sound like my father. In what order do you want me to answer those questions?î
Her angry tone startled him. Did she think she could stop Justinís attack with words?
ìWhat I do is none of your concern.î She turned to move on.
Wesley caught her elbow and hauled her around to face him. She stared at him and said nothing. He didnít move. He could be just as obstinate.
ìHe thought I was a witch so I obliged him.î She shook her hand free and stormed away.
ìOne minute, Iím not done.î He caught up with her.
ìBallock,î Wesleyís voice was low. ìWhat do you know about, about ballocks?î
She stopped so abruptly he bumped into her.
ìItís a manís most valued possession. Threatening that would make him reconsider his actions.î
RUTH A. CASIE is a USA Today bestselling author of historical swashbuckling action-adventures and contemporary romance with enough action to keep you turning pages. Her stories feature strong women and the men who deserve them, endearing flaws and all. She lives in New Jersey with her hero, three empty bedrooms and a growing number of incomplete counted cross-stitch projects. Before she found her voice, she was a speech therapist (pun intended), client liaison for a corrugated manufacturer, and vice president at an international bank where she was a product/ marketing manager, but her favorite job is the one sheís doing nowówriting romance. She hopes her stories become your favorite adventures.
Contest runs from February 12 - 18, 2019.
