Tuesday Tales is a weekly blog featuring diverse authors who post excerpts from their WIPs based on word and picture prompts. Today’s prompt is gray and the snippet is from a work in progress temporarily called by the heroine’s name, Shale. Please visit the other fabulous authors at Tuesday Tales.
Shale glanced at her sister. “It’s the right timeframe anyway, late eighteenth century, and definitely a lady’s journal—Josette Dupuis.” She ran her forefinger over the supple leather of the old book. Her voice quietened. “I wonder how long it has been hidden away in this old desk, and who put it here.”
Ivy shrugged. “Most likely the Josette person did. Maybe she’s wrote about some escapades she didn’t want her family to know about.”
She narrowed her eyes at Ivy, wondering what escapades she and Rowenna didn’t know about their baby sister. She cocked her head to one side. “Maybe. I won’t know until I get back home and read it.”
“Don’t leave me out. I’m dying to know too.”
“Since when? You said you were skeptical of the whole ghost thing.”
Ivy’s bottom lip protruded. “I told you I’m keeping an open mind. I came here with you, didn’t I?” She climbed over a box toward Shale. “Let me see it for a minute. What was it the spook said about a ring?”
Shale winced at the irreverent tone toward the regal and sorrowful spirit. If only her sisters could catch a glimpse of what she saw, they wouldn’t scoff and roll their eyes at her intensity on the subject. “She didn’t say anything. She just—sort of—mimed that a ring was involved.” She placed the book in Ivy’s outstretched hand. “Be careful.”
Ivy opened it to the first page. “There’s a dedication. Wait, no, it looks like lines from a poem. Her soft voice became more hushed as she read aloud. “Perhaps in this neglected spot is laid some heart once pregnant with celestial fire; hands that the rod of empire might have swayed, or waked to ecstasy the living lyre. Hmm,Thomas Gray. Well, what the heck does that mean? Do you know him, Shale?”
“I’ve heard of him, but I don’t know beans about his poetry. Let me see.”
Before Ivy could pass the diary back to her, Shale heard the sound of footsteps on the stairs. Her expression must have turned frantic, because Ivy shoved the book into the gaping top of her shoulder bag.
The tall form of Nicholai Zarek stepped over the threshold. His low, sensuous voice caressed Shale’s overly sensitive skin. “Find anything of interest?”
Thanks so much for stopping by. Please visit the other fabulous authors at Tuesday Tales.
Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic with Paranormal Fantasy Romance
I really hope you continue working on this particular story, Flossie! Tuesday Tales sounds like a lot of fun. Great tie-in to the writing prompt.
Most of all, I’m loving everything about this one and want to see more!
I hope to keep working on it periodically and slowly. Thank you so much, Mae.
With each post the story gradually increases the mystery. I like your choice of lines- Thomas Gray! Less known to the readers as compared to other British poets of his time, but a great sensitive voice! I regret that the only lines I remember are – “Beside some water’s rushy brink/ With me the Muse shall sit, and think…”I don’t even recollect the name of the poem.
The lines you selected in this post perfectly match the context, a bit premonitory, I guess. Thank you for another lovely fragment of your story!
Carmen, remember how old novels were always filled with quotes from poetry and the classics? I always wanted to have one, and this prompt gave me the opportunity.
What a great excerpt!
Thank you, Vicki!
Really like this story Flossie. Cannot wait to read more.
Ooh, thanks, Mary!
Great excerpt. I loved the dedication. She learned something right from the get-go. Still waiting for the steam, which I feel is coming!
Thank you, Jean.
I’m really liking this story, my friend. You write beautifully and the premise of this one is superb!
That’s high praise coming from one of my admired stars! Thank you.
Nice interplay between the sisters. I can tell they’re very different in their outlooks.
Thank you for that feedback, Morgan.