Comtesse De Havana: How Things Begin - Book I

Renna Scot has made a life for herself in Victorian New York, keeps it just so. Among her world are sidekick Gabriel, young but as sweet as he is mischievous. Seth, her right hand, silent but intentional, grounding. Bella, Bella, Bella, beautiful actress, long time love – a bond sealed by many years of friendship, their shared past, passion. But Renna is woman of many tastes, tends to juggle infatuations as a means of balancing her dedication, hard work, intensity – luckily her charms, or if it comes down to it, fierce independence, keep her a step ahead of most trifles. Enter Comtesse de Havana, a dark, mysterious traveller who instantly gets under skin, is not conditioned to Renna’s carefully made world, or likely to bow to it. Their impossible attraction is immediate, though neither has any intention of admitting, or accepting it, as if they have a choice.

A sample from Comtesse de Havana. Book I. How things begin:

An ale or two later, that same two still rest against the bar. It has been a long day of parade, games, celebration. The tavern is overly full, people spilling out the doors. Oh, and most have had more than a little to drink.

Spotting Tatiana across the way, the blond offers only a stiff nod, thinking the young lady looks pretty in her dress and drink-pink cheeks. Sidekick Gabriel, only semi-subtly watching a cow herder shuffle by asks, “will you not speak to the poor child here?”

His friend glances over, “if there is a time that makes sense. People know she stayed at the Estate so there is no reason not to.” As if sensing she is spoken of, the beautiful young thing glances over, lowers long lashes, smiles.

Gabriel shakes his head, “damnable woman! I don’t know how you get these lovely ladies to tolerate you!”

His companion is about to reply when a thin line of panic travels up spine, thinking she sees Bella but a few feet away, her long-time star-crossed love. But of course the other is travelling elsewhere, as she does. While Tatiana and Bella have been in the same place before, they are not aware of each other’s place in her life – the particulars. They each know they aren’t the only one, but not who else may be. A sigh of relief escapes when at closer look, it is not her.

Gabriel calls Tatiana over, laughs and drinks with her, partly out of boredom, partly to pester his friend. They are in the midst of a toast when talk drops, the room hushes, no small thing for a full tavern.

Looking up to find mouths suspended mid-speech, they watch as the sea of revelers parts. A woman strides through, chin up, eyes surfing the crowd. She is wearing an elegant white blouse buttoned up the front, fitting closely over breast and torso, but not so much over arms. The skirt is snug to hip, smooth over ass, loosens slightly as it lowers into free-flowing large ruffles, cut away in the front, longer in the back. The material is black, flowy, lined in crimson silk – the same deep red as her perfect lips. Very dark hair slicked tight to head, tied in a low bun at the back of a long neck. She sports a red flower over one ear, making her way through the mass of villagers with little expression. It is impossible not to wonder if this woman knows the stir she causes, but does not care, or simply does not realize her full effect. Everyone watches, eyes following the steady steps as she commands the room only by being it.

Swallowing, glancing at Gabriel, avoiding Tatiana, Renna wonders ‘who can this woman be? I know every face, goings on?’ Scanning the room, all seem equally dumbfounded, if any know her, they hide it well. What then can she want? Where can she be from, dressed thus?

Near the middle of the tavern the vision pauses to look back at the band which has stopped playing, tilts her head slightly. Somehow they understand and strike up song. The murmur rises again and things settle.