Once again, if you haven’t read Finding Frances, you probably shouldn’t read this preview, as you may find out things that will spoil your experience. But, if you have, and you want a head start on what happens next, this is the place. Enjoy!

Chapter 1

“The most important thing in communication
is hearing what isn’t said.”
~ Peter Drucker

Jeffrey leaned against a Manchineel tree, observing the townspeople milling around on the nearby hill, a bored expression on his handsome face.  Melissa, also obscured by the surrounding trees, was far less disinterested.

“Oh!  There’s Michael!” she said, her face lighting up as he stepped out of the largest tent, Emma at his side.  Looking back, she noticed Jeffrey didn’t react.  Wiggling her eyebrows, she crooned, “Emma’s with him.”

Jeffrey fought to keep his face impassive.  “Of course she is,” he said, easing his body away from the tree with deliberate care and taking his time to join her.  “She’s not smart enough to disregard this nonsense.  You’re the one who saw through all this battle hogwash.”  Melissa narrowed her eyes suspiciously, but seemingly convinced he was being genuine, beamed at him before turning back, too curious to resist the siren song of the unfolding scene for long.

Jeffrey waited until she had looked away to feast his eyes on Emma.  She was even more beautiful than he remembered.  Radiant, even, one might say.  He scowled as she gazed adoringly up at Michael, fiddling with something at her neck.  He would win her back.  Who was Michael to stand in his way?  This time, he’d destroy him once and for all.

“Do you think we should go up there?”  Melissa asked, turning quickly enough to catch him scowling.  He snapped back to reality.  She was looking at him quizzically, trying to make sense of the anger radiating off him like heat waves.  “Are you okay?” She laid a gentle hand on his arm as consternation turned to concern.

He studied her.  She really was lovely.  Definitely paler and dowdier than Emma, but not half bad.  She’d certainly do until he got Emma again—could maybe even help him get her back.  He curved his full lips into the hint of a smile, enjoying the effect it had on Melissa as she realized just how close they were.  And how alone.  Women were so easy to manipulate.  A few tender words mixed with just a hint of flattery, and they were yours.

“You’re so good to me.”  He dropped his lashes shyly, and she exhaled, smiling.  “I’m afraid you caught me.  I just wanted to spend today with you.  I wasn’t excited about the prospect of sharing you with all those people.”  He shrugged, allowing his grin to widen into a hopeful expression.  “Maybe we could go for a walk just the two of us?”

Melissa was tempted, he could tell.  But, she looked back over at the camp. “What if we miss something?”

He raised his eyebrows conspiratorially.  “I’m sure if it’s anything important, they’ll tell us.”

He looked so eager, Melissa’s objections crumbled.  “Of course,” she laughed.  “Where did you have in mind?”

Truthfully, anywhere except here, but a plan seemed to materialize instantly.  If Michael was forming an army, he would sabotage it.  And then Emma would see who the better soldier was after all.  She would know she belonged with him instead.  He just had to discredit Michael.  Still, he couldn’t do it alone.

“I want to show you my favorite place.”  He offered Melissa his hand, and she intertwined her fingers with his, blushing with pleasure.  So easy.  “I—I’ve never taken anyone there before.”  Jeffrey confided, his voice rich and low.  “You have to promise not to tell anyone,” he raised his eyebrows, looking sideways at her under the wisps of his blonde bangs.

Warmth spread through her, and the pink in her cheeks deepened.  His special place.  Known only by her.  “Your secret’s safe with me,” she giggled, eyes sparkling.

He was counting on it.  She was putty in his hands.  “That’s my girl.”  He squeezed her hand, leading her deeper into the forest.

Melissa started to get nervous when they’d hiked much deeper into the woods without arriving.  Her father would be getting home from work before too long and would wonder where she was.  Finally, they reached a clearing, and Jeffrey dropped her hand.

“This is it!” he said.  They were both slightly out of breath as they surveyed the entrance of a cave, covered over with vines.

Melissa looked around critically.  “This?” she asked.  “This is your favorite place?”

He nodded.  “You haven’t seen the best parts,” he said, smirking as, with flourish, he reached up and broke away the vines covering the entrance.

Melissa gasped, looking wildly around.  “What are you doing?” she hissed. “Isn’t this still Randolf property?”  She knew Stuart land had bordered the Randolf’s, but they had moved.

In response, Jeffrey simply placed a finger gently on her lips, leaning in to whisper, “Shhh,” his puckered lips just centimeters from hers.  The red in her cheeks deepened, and he offered her his hand again.  She took it, eyes never leaving his. “You can trust me,” he smiled over his shoulder, as he led her through the door the broken vines had revealed.  He grabbed a lantern, then guided her through the labyrinth of corridors until the way opened into the ballroom.

Melissa gasped, turning a slow circle as she stared around speechless.  “What is this place?”  Her eyes were fixed on the vaulted ceiling.

“Well,” Jeffrey began, smiling, “have I got a story for you.”