Riley's Curse
By Christina Smith
Copyright ©2012 Christina Smith
Published by Christina Smith
Cover art © by Stephanie Mooney. All rights reserved
For my husband Brad, and my son Josh, the two men in my life.
This is a prequel in The Moon's Glow Series. See what happens to Nate before he meets Megan.
If you enjoy this free book, pass it on to your friends and share your thoughts with a review!
This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously
Discover other exciting titles by Christina Smith:
Fated Dreams (Book One in the Affinity Series)
Delusions (Book Two in the Affinity Series)
Riley's Secret, A Moon's Glow Novel #1
Preface
The darkness holds many secrets, and in the forest, many dangers. I used to think of the forest as mysterious, and at night delightfully spooky. The tall oak and pine trees cast shadows the shapes of mystical creatures. The weeping willow emanates the illusion of secrets. What lies beyond its long low branches and what was it hiding?
The howls and moans from animals hidden in their burrows and dens, the hoot of the owl and the eerie caw of the crow. I once loved the forest at night. The romance of the unknown was exciting.
But now that I know, I yearn to return to the time when I was blissfully unaware. A time before I became part of the mystery. I long to go back to a time before that horrific night…
Chapter One
The Birthday Gift
June, 1894
The necklace was beautiful, I had to admit that. But would she think it too much? It was her seventeenth birthday. I had to splurge. The glass was cold against my forehead as I peered at the jewelry through the window of my father's general store. I was just passing by, with my friend Henry when it caught my eye.
"Nathaniel, are you coming?" Henry called, leaning against the wooden railing of the town's dress shop.
Lucy's birthday was tomorrow, and her family had invited me for dinner. I had been courting her for the last few weeks, and had every intention of asking for her hand when I was more established. I had known her since childhood. Her family lived in the home closest to ours and we had grown up teasing each other. It was only last year that I began to see her as more than the girl next door.
"Nathaniel!" Henry called, taking a few steps in my direction. I hesitated, unsure if I should purchase the necklace or go with my friend. He was in a hurry to get to the carnival. It was in town for a couple of days and he was hoping to meet a few girls there. I said I would join him when he asked.
"Can you wait a moment, Henry?" I asked, glancing again at the sparkling jewelry in the velvet box. "I won't be long. I've found the perfect gift for Lucy."
Henry's lip turned up in an amused grin. He knew how I felt about my fair haired neighbor. "Is it all right if I meet you there?" he asked. "You've found your girl. I'm still looking for mine." His eyes danced with mischief. He was my closest friend and spoke often of chasing girls.
I folded my arms in front of me. "Oh really? What about Ava? I thought she claimed you."
"Just keeping my options open." He turned and started down the street. "Besides, she's already there waiting for me."
I laughed to myself as I pushed the door open to our store. An array of smells accosted my senses. Since ours was a general store, we carried everything from spices, to figurines, and even garden tools. My father was leaning over the wooden counter reading a catalogue, and then writing his order on a slip of parchment. It was how we found most of our merchandise. Twenty percent was from townspeople that were talented enough to make interesting items. My father sold them for no extra charge. It was part of the reason he was so well liked. He looked up from the pages as I approached him. His smile was warm, matching the slight glint in his bright blue eyes. He was fair-haired, like my younger sisters and me. He was wearing brown trousers, white crisp shirt, and suspenders. "Hello Son," he said, folding the book closed, and pushing it aside. "I thought you were off to the carnival with Henry."
I placed my hands on the counter and nodded. "I was, but I noticed a necklace in the window as we were passing by. I still haven't found anything for Lucy."
"The dinner is tomorrow evening, is it not?" He asked, his voice held a hint of reprimand. I nodded again, feeling foolish for having waited so long, but I just hadn't yet found the right thing. Now, I believed I had. "Well, we just received a shipment this morning. Which necklace caught your eye?"
I pointed past him to the shelf in the window. "The green stone, with diamonds."
He reached into the window display and pulled out the item in question, holding it out to me. The diamonds sparkled brightly. However, it was the stone that had drawn my attention. "What is it?" I asked, touching the smooth gem.
My father leaned over me, his smell of pipe tobacco hovered in the air. "It’s a gem stone called Chrysocolla. The diamonds are all clear, and the setting is silver." He touched the delicate rope design that framed the diamonds. The stone sat in the center.
"It's quite remarkable. I've never seen anything like it." I lifted my head to look up at him. "Where did you get it?"
His lips tipped upward. "From Mrs. Wallace. She says the gem stone is lucky. It will bring the owner happiness."
I was sold even before he spoke the words. "I'll take it."
"All right, I'll just take the amount from your earnings, and box it up. I'll bring it home with me." He put the velvet lid on the box. "Are you headed to meet Henry?"
"Yes sir." I stepped toward the door. "And thank you," I said, just as Mr. Tillman bustled up to the counter, carrying a rake. My father simply nodded to me, taking the tool from his customer to ring up his purchase.
I pushed through the door into the spring evening, enjoying the soft breeze as it touched my face. I couldn't wait to give Lucy the necklace. Anticipating her reaction put a spring in my step as I headed down the walk toward the fairway.
It wasn't until we were finished dinner the next evening that I had a chance to be alone with Lucy. We had spent the evening discussing my future plans, and listening to Mrs. Stewart list Lucy's accomplishments. She was learning the piano, and studying a variety of languages. She had finished school this year, but her mother wanted her to continue with a tutor, instead of going to college. Of course I knew this, Lucy was just a year younger than I, and we grew up together.
Finally, after dessert and wine, I excused myself. Lucy asked her father if she could walk me out.
"Thank you for coming, Nathaniel," she said softly as we stood on the veranda, a slight blush touched her cheeks. The June air stirred lightly, the hint of orange blossom wafted from the girl beside me.
"I was very happy that you invited me to celebrate with you." I reached into the pocket of my trousers and pulled out the velvet box. "Happy birthday, Lucy," I said, handing her the gift.
Her face was filled with surprise and delight when she took the box from me. "You didn't have to do this, Nathaniel."
I smiled, enjoying the look of happiness on her beautiful face. "I wanted to."
She opened the lid and gasped. "Oh, Nathaniel, it's stunning." Gazing at the necklace, her finger gently stroked the stone. Finally, she looked up at me, her eyes shining. "Thank you," she whispered, lifting the necklace out of it's wrapping to hold it up closer.
"Here, let me help you." As I took the delicate chain, our fing
ers touched, her skin was warm and soft. Brushing her silky locks off her shoulders, I fastened the necklace and stepped aside. "It looks lovely on you, Lucy." My voice was low, the image of her wearing my gift, made it difficult to speak. The moonlight shone, giving her and the necklace an exquisite glow. Unable to resist, I leaned down to gently brush my lips onto hers. She tasted of sweet wine. Her only reaction was a soft gasp, before responding to my touch.
When I pulled away, her face was flushed.
"Thank you for a lovely evening, Lucy."
She bowed her head shyly. "Thank you for coming, and for the beautiful gift."
I felt light headed as I left her standing on the porch. It had been our first kiss, and I couldn't wait for the next.
After her birthday, I saw more of Lucy, at least once a day. Even though we were both busy, me with the farm, and her with her private lessons. There was always time to sneak away for a few moments. A week after the dinner party I met her at the river that bordered our two properties. "Lucile," I called to her softly, when I saw her sitting on the bank with her feet in the water. Her hose and shoes were tossed on the grass beside her.
She jumped at the sound of my voice. "Oh, Nathaniel, you gave me a fright."
I couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of her. Her fancy dress was caked with mud at the hem, and her golden hair had fallen loose from the bun on her head. But despite all of this, as soon as she looked at me with those bright sapphire eyes, she took my breath away.
"Why are you grinning? You have seen me with my feet in the river before."
"Yes, but not in some time. Have you forgotten that you are supposed to be a lady now?" I took a few steps closer and sat down on the bank beside her. Since I was wearing work clothes, having been doing chores on the farm, I was not worried about getting them dirty.
She waved away my comment. "I am tired of trying to be perfect all the time. Those new dresses mother has me wearing are too stuffy." This was the girl I knew, she had been trying hard to act the lady ever since she came out last year, but honestly, I preferred her this way. She seemed more approachable. Although her features were perfection, resembling a porcelain doll, her manner was altogether different. She could roughhouse as well as any boy, and liked an adventure as much as I did. She wasn't this proper lady that Mrs. Stewart wanted her to be, and I was ecstatic to see that Lucy realized this as well.
I gazed at her face and noticed a smudge of dirt on her nose. I leaned closer, to wipe it away. Her smile disappeared and her eyes became hooded. I heard her gasp just as I bent down to kiss her. It wasn't the first time since her birthday that we kissed. However, I relished each one. I kissed her longer, savoring her taste and scent, but when I had the urge to guide her down onto the grass, I pulled away. I was a gentleman and I had to remind myself of that. "I must go Lucy."
Her lips pouted at my words. "Must you?" She asked. Her voice held a hint of the longing I felt.
"Yes, meet me after dinner tomorrow evening, and we'll go for a stroll along the square."
She brightened, as she sat up straight. "That sounds lovely, Nathaniel."
I left her then, knowing that if I watched her dress, I would not be able to leave.
As I walked the short distance to my family's property, I couldn't help feel excitement, to see her again.