Friday, August 31, 2012

Once In A Blue Moon



This little piece is dedicated to my lovely friend, Sophie Moss. She's a pinch of pure magic in my life and I'm so happy for her because has a new release today; The Selkie Enchantress.
You can find her book HERE and HERE.
And you can find here HERE and HERE.
Because what's life without fairytales? Or, Irish fairytales, to be exact?

 Once In A Blue Moon

This is not my own image

She tipped her head back, resting it against the tree bark. Moonlight cast a glow about her face.
Her eyes were closed when she puckered her lips to one side, then the other. A grin broke across her face in an instant and she drew her knees to her chest as a makeshift table, beginning a furious scribble across a sheet of paper she’d kept.
As soon as she was done and her hand left the white plane, the wind tore it from her lap.
And it spiralled,
Twisted,
Flattened,
Against his face.
Because really, how could it have missed him (!)
He pulled the plastered sheet back;

If there were ever a love as true as mine,
Would I know it?
If this age was not of fearful hearts,
Would I be shown it?

Crushed in his hand and against the breeze, he held it out to her when she approached him.
And then he changed his mind.
. . . He wished he’d changed it again.
As soon as he’d opened his mouth, actually.
“If one did claim a love, profess aloud,   
Would you wish for one mute?
Or one to speak in soul, in touch, and treasure. . .”
He puffed out a breath and lost his voice.
Who was he kidding?
 Christ, he was no poet!
A little smile touched her face as if to show she knew. Which, from his appalling effort, wasn’t an incredibly hard thing to discern.
“Which one would suit?” she suggested.  
His shoulders relaxed. His entire being did. “Which one would suit.”
He took her hand with his free one and she easily came into his arms.
He enveloped her close, poetry still in hand. “Tell me something.”
“Hmm . . . the flowers behind you are daisies?” she offered.
“Alright, tell me another something; if I was to propose, would I need to do so in rhyme?”
She laughed and it warmed his chest. “Heavens! I would never be so cruel as to torture you so!” she exclaimed.
“I know you wouldn’t. An angel like you, Sophie, comes but every once in a blue moon.”

Blog Flash 2012 - Day 31 - Bonus Entry

I know Blog Flash 2012 is over, BUT, there's one day left and then August is done with for this year.
So, I've done a bonus entry for any of you readers out there who enjoyed my little series.
I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I did writing it!

Day 31 - Bonus Entry

Epilogue



The wedding was held on a Sunday afternoon.
A sunny Sunday afternoon.
It seemed fitting, that.
St James’ cathedral was brimming with all sorts of guest, some more happy than others with the union taking place. But that had been expected, and when one near-hysterical lady took a stand during the ceremony to claim that the couple looked too happy for this to be true attachment, you’ll be glad to know that, she was immediately escorted off the premises.
As I said before, reader, that sort of debacle had been expected.
Graham was resplendent in a regal black and white, Alisa was every bit a vision in embroidered silk, and both wore the most beautiful thing of all; a smile of pure joy.
Few things could be as touching as the devotion they showed on this day.
The final words were spoken in absolute reverence and the new wife of Mr Hurst was swept off her feet (literally) and carried to a flower-strewn carriage.
Mr Graham Hurst and Mrs Alisa Hurst.
Alisa’s insides practically fluttered at the thought, but she loved him for this strange feeling she still was unaccustomed to. She imagined there were a lot of things he would introduce her to.
And she couldn’t wait for it all.
For the happy life she knew they'd share together.
He draped an arm over her. “Are you looking forward to our honeymoon?”
“I’m looking forward to the rest of our lives,” she said with a content sigh.
“Good answer, Mrs Hurst.”
He’d never thought he’d ever be in love. Never thought he’d marry unless he’d been threatened with a pistol.
But, he supposed life was funny like that.
Amazing even.
Speaking of amazing . . . his gaze wandered over the curves of his finally-bride.
“Of course, the honeymoon has technically begun already. . .”
A sly grin spread across her face as she looked up at him. “Do you know, I cannot believe you managed to wait until our wedding day?”
He didn't either. He only knew that she was the only love of his life and if he was going to marry her, then by God, he was going to do it right.
However hard the task proved on his health.
“I’d wait forever for you, my dear,” he said with a loving kiss.
And, readers, the honeymoon began. . .

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Blog Flash 2012: Day 30

We're at the end of the Blog Flash 2012 challenge, my lovely readers! 
Thank you for reading. I've enjoyed every minute of it and I hope you've enjoyed following my characters in their story!

30. Winning



“What does that mean exactly?”
“That I’d have ravished you at the first chance received.”
“This is your chance,” she whispered.
She had to leave . . .
“You shouldn’t be here.”
She looked regretful. “Do you want me to leave?”
. . . but his need was winning against his sense.
 “God, never.”
A teary laugh shook her.
“Do you object?” he asked. 
Never had a question made him feel so vulnerable before.
She smiled at him warmly and laid her hand on the beat of his chest. “Never, I promise.”
“Marry me, Alisa,” he said with a heart completely hers.
She flung her arms around him. “Oh yes, Graham!”

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Blog Flash 2012: Day 29

This is the twenty-ninth entry out of the thirty I'm attempting. It is part of a series of thirty entries so I hope you'll read each daily post to find out what happens in the end.
Thank you for reading!
 
We're so very close to the end, dear readers! 
29. Masquerade

Source - http://ll.deviantart.com/


She darted out of Miss Charleston’s carriage, hurrying a ‘thank you.’
The staff was conveniently vacant when she entered the estate. And, inconveniently, for she’d lost herself a few times already. Dazedly, she stopped at the drawing room.
He came to a stand. “Alisa?”
She gave him no answer. Immediately closer, her hands were palming over him in a feverish search. “Was this a masquerade? Aren’t you unwell?”
He chuckled warmly. “If you’d like me to be, hand me a fire-tender.”
“That’s not funny.” She looked up desperately. “Why did you leave?”
He was suddenly solemn. “For your own good.”
 

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Blog Flash 2012: Day 28

This is the twenty-eight entry out of the thirty I'm attempting. It is part of a series of thirty entries so I hope you'll read each daily post to find out what happens in the end.
Thank you for reading!
 
We're almost at the end, readers!
 
28. Frog



She was in front of Almack’s.
Reason: the frog-like ribbits of the company.
Real reason: Mr Langston’s proposal. 
Her refusal.
She wandered outside. A groom was shoving a suitcase into a carriage. Miss Charleston was there. “Miss Sheffield, can I help you?”
“No, I was just on my way home.”
Alisa was leaving when she came closer. She took her hand like a lifelong friend and dropped her voice to a whisper. “I hope you don’t mind me calling you Alisa.”
She nodded, bewildered.
“I’ll only interfere with your life once more…by informing you of Mr Hurst’s sudden ill health.”