“Return to Charlock” Prologue
28 December 1878
“Out at once!”
“Don’t make me, Papa!”
“This is your doing and I insist you see the damage firsthand.”
“I tried. I did everything you asked, please don’t make me face them.”
“Out now daughter, before the entire county sees me pull you out by your skirts!”
“Just being here is shaming.”
“As it should be. Clear out now!”
“Papa,” Josiah strode up next to his father. “Good news, the footman at the door advised me Lord Gentry is in attendance.”
“Brilliant. Thank you, son. He will be our next prospective suitor.”
“Suitor?” His daughter cried with a gasp “But, he must be 50!”
The sneer on her father’s face launched her to action. She did not doubt his threat on pulling her out of the carriage bottom first. Her delicate slippers peeked out from the slim-fitting muslin dress purchased for this very occasion. Her slender hands gripped the side of the carriage when they should’ve gripped the steady hand of a man’s upon descent. Any man. Yet her father and brother whispered off to the side. No doubt conspiring.
“Take her by the arm Josiah. We will present her to Gentry after the ceremony.”
Her cheeks fluctuated from pink to pale. Her mind in a frenzy. She approached the arched entry of Charlock Manor with dark hesitation. The last time she was here, she was positioned to be the matron of the house, now she would be entering as the discarded fiancé of the groom. Her jaw grew rigid, anger boiled beneath her skin. I wish I had the strength to say no . . . to run far away from here.
She glanced behind. Her father’s twisted face of disappointment and disgust met her fully. Once inside, she paused before the grand staircase. Her sights floated to the portrait at the landing. Though she never loved Merritt, he was kind to her—something she couldn’t guarantee would happen with Lord Gentry. They had never met formally, but the man’s reputation of treating his dogs better than his women had reached her ears more than once. As sounds of revelry and laughter came from the ballroom, the young woman whispered a quiet thank you to God for putting a stubborn cow in front of their carriage en route. Being late had been a tender mercy.
“Bloody Hell.” Her father cursed. “This will not fair well.”
Her stomach tossed. Placing a gloved hand over her mouth she felt the contents of her earlier meal rise unsettled and threaten to erupt. “I’m feeling out of sorts. Excuse me for a moment.” To the dissent of her party, she rushed down the hall.
“Don’t linger long, we need to pay our respects.” Her father’s gruff voice followed her through the darkness.
Slipping into the library, she found it to be empty and sighed with relief. She retrieved a handkerchief from her reticule and wiped her moist brow. Taking a long breath, she let her head drop to her hands. Her thoughts went to her circumstances. Her options were bleak. If only she had the strength to leave six months ago, none of this would have happened. She shivered at the memory. The memory of a man whose strong arms surrounded her, comforted her and promised her. She should have left when he asked. Now, now she’s a pawn in a wicked game.
Heavy steps and voices neared the room. she fled farther into the darkness. A small alcove provided hidden shadows and shrouded her presence. Pressing her body against one door, she listened for the anxious voices of those who entered.
“Margaret, are you in here?” Josiah’s familiar tone sliced the blackness.
“Blast that daughter of mine,” Papa cried without a care for his volume. “If she weren’t so favorable, I would’ve cast her off years ago.”
She gasped in the shadows. She knew her father didn’t love her, but to hear him speak of her as if she were a commodity, cut her to the bone. The clink of glass told her they were helping themselves to the fine liquor the Gilford’s kept on the library sideboard.
“Simple mockery, Papa. Look around, we could’ve had all of this.”
“Aye,” Father gulped his drink in loud satisfaction. “With the Missus passing and the man in mourning, his money would’ve been an easy target. After all that work getting Margaret placed well, only to watch it pad someone else’s pouch, irks the devil out of me.”
“If it weren’t for that bloody governess,” Josiah grumbled. “Sticking her nose where it didn’t belong. Said through natter, she got Merritt to reconsider.”
“Of no importance now. On to better days.” The glasses clinked together. “Lord Gentry will be pleased enough with her. Him and his 10,000 pounds a year will please us all.”
Margaret felt faint. Had her entire life been positioned only for their benefit? Did they ever once consider her happiness?
They chuckled in their dark designs.
“What about the other problem, has it been taken care of?” Her Papa muttered.
“Jacob?”
“Shhh. Don’t mention his name ever again.”
Margaret held her breath. Jacob? The mere mention of his name prickled her skin. She leaned forward to grasp what followed.
“He’ll be taken care of, I sent Harker this time. He won’t be returning anymore., Josiah announced with satisfaction dripping from his voice. “You got to hand it to him though, he never gave up. Always believed he had a chance.”
“Well no daughter of mine would ever marry a tradesman, that’s for sure.”
“To the future Lady Gentry.” Another clink and swallow.
“Damn that girl, where is she off to?”
Taking a step backward, Margaret wished to stay hidden, only to find her shoe slip clumsily down a step. She clawed at the frame of the door for stability but made no connection. With a helpless cry, she launched into a full free fall down a stone set of cellar stairs.
***Release date Spring 2021***
Discovering who you are
Recently, my husband and I spent some time in Bisbee, Arizona. It’s a town not far from Tombstone and the famous OK Corral, but has a story all its own. The eclectic hippie town that housed a melting pot of cultures for the copper mine, is artistic and unique. However, for me and my family it is much more. My grandfather, Francisco, came from Spain and married my grandmother, Ysabel, from Mexico and both came to Bisbee to experience the American Dream. Though neither one spoke any English, they owned a handful of businesses at different times for the constant influx of miners. Everything from a restaurant, bar, ice cream shop, and gaming hall. My father, Miguel, and his 6 siblings were born in a little two-room house atop Miller Hill. The stories my father told me as a child came to life while I was there. We hiked the endless concrete steps that led to their home on the mountainside. We walked Brewery Gulch where the buildings that housed their businesses still stand. We explored the haunted hotels and rode the train in the copper mine, but above all, I got a chance to see what they saw and walk where they walked because not much has changed since they lived there from 1914 to the late 1920’s. My sweet grandfather turned 100 years old when I was 13 years old. Yes, you read that right…my grandfather. He passed away two years later. I barely knew him or my grandmother who followed shortly in death. Thankfully technology has made it possible for us to research our ancestors whose blood runs through our veins but we know little about. The stories I have uncovered not only bring me closer to them, but instills a sense of pride and respect for their strength and courage. They faced challenges I could not even comprehend facing, such as the Great Depression, World War II where 5 stars hung from their window representing the 5 sons who went to war and ALL returned which is a miracle in itself, poverty, hunger and at times racism for their cultural differences. Today, we are facing challenges in which some are similar and others are not, but as I read my grandparent’s stories, I feel buoyed and empowered to face what lies ahead ahead knowing they are a part of me.
Bucket Lists
In 2010 I left an airline job after almost two decades. I had made some amazing friendships and it was a tough decision to leave, but it gave me the opportunity to spend one full year with my mom before she died. My last days at work I passed around a book to stay connected with my friends and instead of just asking for their phone number or email, I asked for them to add a bucket list item to their note. With my own additions, the list totaled in the 300’s. Over the years I’ve had more friends add to the list and all along I’ve been slowly checking them off. Now the fun part is that when I write my own items down they come from me, but when others add to the list it can be something completely off the wall and out of my comfort zone. Another point to make here is that many people believe a bucket list only contains exotic locations or death defying acts (it has some of both) but truly anything can be added. Here are some examples of mine-
#10 pay for someone’s dinner anonymously
#36 Hunt for a dinosaur bone
#59 See the inside of Seti’s tomb
#72 Invite a homeless person to Thanksgiving dinner
#92 Cheer for the Yankees (ha I’m a die hard California Angels fan)
#116 Ride every ride in Disneyland in one day
#163 Learn another language
#213 Change somebody’s life
#244 Go jousting at a Renaissance Fair
#300 ride an elephant
Your bucket list can honestly have anything on it. Of my current list, I only have 48 accomplished so far, but that’s what makes the challenge fun. In my monthly newsletter, I include a bucket list item from my own list for my readers. The October challenge was #34 Do 3 random acts of kindness in one day. Something that this world is sorely in need of right now. I hope we can all meet this challenge and in a small way make a difference in each of our corners of the world. Have a great week! #leahmoyes
Breathe, darling this is just a chapter, not your whole story- SC Lowrie
I love this quote! It is perfect for the times we are living in right now. When everything feels as though it is too overwhelming, take a step back and remember this is but a small moment (or chapter) in your book of life. We should take stock of our lives and recognize the small things that make us happy…an Arizona sunset :) a neighbor’s smile, a facetime call with 3 squirmy granddaughters, the list could go on and it is different for each of us. Write them down and put the list somewhere you can see it and constantly be reminded that there is always something to be grateful for.
SECOND SURVIVOR
I am so excited to introduce my new historical fiction novel, "SECOND SURVIVOR"
The cover and release date will be revealed on October 1.
See below for a hint of what’s to come! #leahmoyes
During an archaeological dig on the Northern Coast of Menorca, I spent time in The Monestir (monastery/convent) de Santa Clara Ciutadella (Pictures attached). While there, I discovered a newspaper clipping of the French liner/General Chanzy shipwreck. Immediately drawn to the story, I began my research.
"Second Survivor" is a heart-wrenching historical fiction novel set in both Algiers, Algeria during French occupation, and Menorca, Spain. Told in the perspective of four characters, Second Survivor is a twist on the tragic shipwreck . . . the General Chanzy in the Mediterranean Sea. 156 people aboard the barge lost their lives on the morning of 10 February 1910. There was only one survivor. This story shares the fate of a Second Survivor.
Make a Difference
It all begins with an idea.
As we navigate these uncertain times with Covid 19 and social awareness, let’s not forget to respect one another’s opinions, beliefs, or lifestyles. The real beauty of this world is diversity and courage. We all have something to share and we all have something to learn. Start each day with a plan to make a difference in another person’s life. It might not take much effort on your part but it might mean the world of difference to another. #bekind #leahmoyes
I have been bent and broken…
It all begins with an idea.
I have been bent and broken,
but I hope into a better shape
-Charles Dickens
This is a quote used in my new book “Charlock’s Secret”. When I was reading this section earlier, I thought it seemed appropriate for this time as well. We have been in “shelter” for over a month now, and each person/family facing their own personal challenges and obstacles. For me and my family, we have survived on the humor of the quarantine memes and found ways to reach out to loved ones in different ways than before.
We have been bent and broken, but HOPE into better shape…hope is the guiding light that leads us through the dark.
“Smile and wave, boys…”
It all begins with an idea.
Said so well by the Madagascar Movie Penguins…It all begins with a simple action from one person, whether it is a smile, a wave, an emoji or a text. Kindness is free. It requires very little time and very little effort, but the result can be life-changing for the recipient.
