Gatehaven by Molly Noble Bull is a
Gothic Historical Novel with a strong Christian message and set in a scary
mansion in the north of England. Would you like to read the first six chapters
without spending a dime and also have the chance to win a $100.00 Amazon gift
certificate at the same time? If so,
stay tuned.
Here
is the deal.
Gatehaven
was divided into ten parts, and each day for ten days one of the ten parts were
to be posted on a different blog. If this sounds like a blog tour, you would be
right.
Below
is the list of blogs so you will know exactly where to go each day. But if you
miss a day, no problem. I will post each of the ten parts right here on my Writers
Rest blog on the day after each posted date. http://writersrest.blogspot.com
. Daily Chapter Excerpt for Gatehaven can be
found at:
March
3: #1 Jill Richarson http://jill-theimperfectjourney.blogspot.com
March
4: #2 Malo Bel www.malobel.com/christian-books.html
March
5: #3 Barbara Derksen www.barbaraannderksen.com
March
6: #4 Cheryl Colwell www.inspiredfictionbooks.com
March
7: #5 Carol Brown www.connectwithcarolbrown.blogspot.com
March
10: #6 Laura Davis www.interviewsandreviews.com/book-of-the-week
March
11: #7 Emma Right emmaright.com/blog
March
12: #8 Kimberly Payne www.kimpayne.wordpress.com
March
13: #9 Martin Roth www.martinroth.com.au
March
14: #10 Molly Noble Bell writersrest.blogspot.com
Part One of Ten
A country estate in Northern England
Early January 1784
Monsieur Etienne Gabeau wasn’t
his real name.
His name was Leon Picard. But Etienne Gabeau was the only
name he’d answered to since making England his home.
He stood at a window in his sitting room, smiling inwardly as
he looked out. “The haunting presence that surrounds your mansion always amazes
me, my lord.”
The young earl made no reply.
“Christians who read the Bible might say the atmosphere at
Gatehaven is quite the devil’s doing. We both know why.” Leon/Etienne’s laugh
had mocking overtones. He pulled his dark cape closer to his thin, shriveled
body. “It’s a bit chilly tonight. Surely you must have noticed.”
“Of course I noticed.” The earl laughed from across the room.
“An icy rain was coming down when I arrived. You might have to put me in a
spare bedroom for the night, Monsieur. And why did you mention the Bible? Who
among our circle of friends pay
any mind to it?”
“A point well taken.” The Frenchman pushed back a curl from
his eyes.
His thick mass of dark curly hair had more white strands than
black, making Leon look older than his forty-five years. But twenty years ago,
he was called handsome.
“Still,” Leon continued, “to the local villagers your estate
is quite mysterious. It reminds me of structures I saw in France, growing up.
And who can forget the red gate which gave Gatehaven its name?”
“When did you learn of the red gate, Monsieur Gabeau?”
“I learned the secret when your late father was the earl. You
were but a boy then.”
Lightning cracked the night sky. Thunder boomed.
“I saw it again, my
lord.”
“Really?” The earl’s weak smile indicated that he was mildly
interested. “What did you see?”
“Gatehaven…during that flash of lightning.”
Someday I will have Rachel and own Gatehaven as well, Leon vowed mentally.
The earl cleared his throat. “I’ve decided not to go to
Scotland after all, Monsieur.”
“Not go?” Leon turned around in order to face him. “You must go.” Leon Picard limped to his
high-backed leather chair near the fireplace, tapping his cane on the pine
floor as he went. “You will
go.”
“I beg your pardon.”
“I said that you will
go.” Leon hooked his cane on the arm of his chair. Then he sat down and reached
for the portrait on the small table beside him. “I demand it.” Leon’s words,
spoken with his usual French accent, hung heavy in the air.
The earl didn’t answer.
Leon thought that Edward Wellesley, the
Earl of Northon, looked stiff—as if he’d suddenly turned to stone. At last
the earl gazed at Leon from a chair facing his.
“Demand?” The muscles around the young earl’s mouth slowly
relaxed. “You have crossed the line, sir. Besides, I cannot go to Scotland. I
have pressing business here. However, a French gentleman like you should enjoy
such a journey.” His smile was edged in sarcasm. “Why not go yourself?”
“On these crippled legs? I think not. Besides, she would
never receive me.”
“I am sorry. But it would be impossible for me to leave the
country at this time.”
Leon turned, gazing at the fire flickering and popping in the
hearth. “You want the money, do you not?” He looked back at the earl like a
hungry cat that cornered a mouse.
“But of course. You know I need money to pay my gambling
debts.”
“Precisely.” Leon didn’t miss the fleeting expression of fear
that crossed the younger man’s face. “I recently bought all your debts. I will
destroy them all, but only if you do exactly what I say. At dawn on the morrow,
you will set out for Scotland. And do dress warmly, my young friend. It will be
cold out.”
The earl’s forehead wrinkled. “You say her last name is Aimee,
and she lives in the village of Luss. But how would an English earl meet a
Frenchwoman living in Scotland?”
“I believe your family owns a hunting lodge near Luss, does
it not?”
The earl shrugged. “Even if I saw her on the street or near
the Loch, I would never recognize her. What is she called?”
Leon’s quick laugh held a trace of mockery. “In France, she
was called Rachel. I see no reason why that would not be her name today.” Leon
grabbed the pearl handle of his cane with his left hand, leaned forward, and
handed the portrait to Edward. “Look at this portrait carefully. Burn it into
your brain. When you have brought her to me, your debts will be paid in
full—and not a moment sooner.”
“But how can I convince her to come to England? I don’t even
know the woman.”
“You are a fine-looking young man with your gold-colored
locks and blue eyes. I am sure you will find a way.” Leon rubbed his aching
knee. “Romance her. That should meet with success. Tell her you love her and
plan to marry her. Women like that. And my spies tell me that she is not wedded
at the moment.”
“You have known me long enough to know, sir, that I am not
the marrying kind.”
“Have you no wits about you?” Leon sent the earl a harsh
glance. “I don’t want you to actually marry her—only promise that you will.”
“I cannot see how…”
“Tell her you want her to come to England to meet your family
before the engagement is formally announced.” He smiled. “Yes, that would be
the thing. She is a peasant woman, but well educated. Apparently, at one time
her father was a teacher and a historian of sorts; she will understand that you
must have your mother and grandmother school her in the ways of the quality
before she becomes a part of it. And do smile a lot, Lord Northon. Let her see
those sparkling teeth of yours.”
“I will do as you say. But I doubt it can possibly work.”
“It will
work. Or you could find yourself in debtor’s prison.” Leon sent the earl
another smile—long and slow and filled with hidden meanings that only Leon and
Lord Northon could know. “And on your way back to England, stop by the chapel
near Edinburgh your grandmother told you about. Do you know the one I mean?”
“Of course.”
“I should like to hear the latest news from there. One can
never learn too much about the craft—as I am sure you would agree.”
Four months later
“Mama, Papa.” Shannon Aimee stood with her back to the
fireplace—barely able to hold in her desire to shout her good news from the
housetops. “I have been offered a proposal of marriage, and I accepted. He is
coming here on the morrow to ask for my hand.”
“So, Rachel Shannon.” A quick smile lighted her father’s
face. “Ian Colquhoun finally asked you to be his wife.”
Why did her father always call her Rachel Shannon? Mama was
Rachel, and he knew she liked to be called Shannon. And why did Papa assume she
was marrying Ian?
“Tell Ian that your mother and I could not be more pleased.”
“And about time, too.” Her mother smiled. “Ian has loved you
all your life.”
“I have no wish to marry Ian. He plans to become a man of the
cloth, and I would never make a pastor’s wife.” Shannon took a step toward her
parents, seated side by side on a blue settee so faded with age its color had
all but disappeared. “With your permission, I hope to marry the earl—the Earl
of Northon—as soon as my baby sister or brother is born.” #
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