Comtesse De Havana

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. Finding the human condition and our antics endlessly fascinating, I tend to write 'slice of life' pieces about moments, situations, interactions, perso

Renna Scot does not suffer fools, gallantly manages her Victorian Estate outside of New York City, as well as many successful business concerns. Among her world are sidekick Gabriel, young, and as sweet as he is mischievous. Seth, her right hand, silent but intentional, grounding, but with his own past. Bella, Bella, Bella, beautiful actress, long time love – a bond sealed by many years of friendship, their shared past, passion. Wild Dove, her childhood friend, guide, and so much more. Renna, however, is an unconventional woman of many tastes, tends to juggle infatuations as a means of balancing her dedication, hard work, intensity – luckily her charm, or if it comes down to it, fierce independence, keep her a step ahead of most trifles. Enter Comtesse de Havana, a dark, mysterious traveler who instantly gets under skin, is not conditioned to the other's carefully constructed world, or likely to bow to it the way others do. Their impossible attraction is immediate, though neither has any intention of admitting, or accepting it - as if they have a choice.Book II picks up as the Comtesse is invited back after much consternation, following her abrupt departure. Will they continue to struggle to occupy the same space peacefully (attraction, strong wills, a bit of mystery)? Even as time goes on, and the worldly Comtesse may be the first to consider there could be more between them, are her wit and wiles enough to work through the other's stubborn resolve, draw them into a dark romance? For Renna, things will hinge on whether there is safe ground between attraction and surrender. Is there ever?Note: Not for the faint of heart - delves into a truly dark, intense attraction (possible romance), wanders through unconventional predilections, occupations, in a rough and tumble time, setting.From 'Comtesse de Havana – In For A Penny – Book II':The following afternoon I am in the kitchen canning even though there are staff who could certainly manage it. An odd thing that I like it, but I do. Transforming one thing to another is satisfying - and practical, for that matter. I can let my mind drift, while my hands are busy - almost like being with a woman. Looking around at the pots and mess in front of me, I laugh at myself. Except for the flame to heat the water, the sweetness of the berries, there is really no comparison."A watched pot never boils," says an accent behind me.I turn to find the Comtesse looking splendid in a light green dress that sets off her skin tone, and displays more than a little cleavage. Her smile is mixed, eyes full of that ever-present smolder. "Really?" I am in a mood where I wonder if I stare long enough, will she boil? But here I contradict myself, having deemed her too uneven for my taste – and men, I think, are her thing anyway."It is what I have heard."The woman does nothing without sensuality. The graceful way she lays her hand on the back of the nearest chair. The tilt to her head. The arch in her brow. The full, nicely shaped lips turned up on only one end. I have to turn away. "I suspect I may not want to know where you heard it," I remind myself.Arriving beside me, "nonsense - my mother liked to cook. I don't remember her as well as I'd like, but it was something she used to say to me, especially when I was being impatient."I steal a glance. She is perfect. "Oh, well, that does seem innocent enough.""See," she tries to smile demurely, "I am not entirely bad.""Perhaps not entirely," is the most I can consider."You should get to know me, you could be surprised," eyebrow hopping. Finding the human condition and our antics endlessly fascinating, I tend to write 'slice of life' pieces about moments, situations, interactions, personalities – most often with some amount of humor or irony, always with wonder. The subject or subjects are frequently lgbtq, w/w, to the degree it matters, since people are people, stories are stories. Renna Scot's life is quite purposely ordered. She does not suffer fools,

Renna Scot does not suffer fools, gallantly manages her Victorian estate outside of New York City, as well as many successful business concerns. Among her world are sidekick Gabriel, young, and as sweet as he is mischievous. Seth, her right hand, silent but intentional, grounding, but with his own past. Bella, Bella, Bella, beautiful actress, long time love – a bond sealed by many years of friendship, their shared past, passion. Wild Dove, her childhood friend, guide, and so much more. Renna, however, is an unconventional woman of many tastes, tends to juggle infatuations as a means of balancing her dedication, hard work, intensity – luckily her charm, or if it comes down to it, fierce independence, keep her a step ahead of most trifles. Enter Comtesse de Havana, a dark, mysterious traveler who instantly gets under skin, is not conditioned to the other's carefully constructed world, or likely to bow to it the way others do. Their impossible attraction is immediate, though neither has any intention of admitting, or accepting it - as if they have a choice.Book I – How Things Begin: can even Renna Scot's calm cool hold out against a mysterious world traveller?Book II – In For A Penny: is there safe ground between attraction and surrender?Book III – Where Angels Tread: continues the tumultuous story of Renna Scot and the Comtesse de Havana past initial surrender into the calamity beyond. Can Renna settle into a new, much less ordered life with the fiery, still mysterious, still travelling Comtesse? And even if she does, will secrets revealed collapse their tenuous house of cards?Note: Not for the faint of heart - delves into a dark, intense attraction, push/pull romance, wanders through unconventional predilections, occupations, in the challenging, sometimes harsh days of mid-1800s Victorian America.Sample from Comtesse de Havana, Where Angels Tread, Book III:I reminisce how Bella was there through the early days of Gabriel, him coming to live with me, helped smooth our way. But then my mind pivots. She seems to know of the recent rift, and the larger story as well - but does not seem shocked! I lurch to my feet, turn on her, "you knew?"Moving eyes away, exhaling, "not the whole of it. Surely not the absolutes regarding that woman – "Will these betrayals never end? "But you know about him? His strangeness? His, his – habits?"Her eyes are firm, strong, and as thoughtful sea-green as ever when they find me, "I had heard some things. And what with the rumors about your 'guest' – " she says this last with more than a little disdain.Right. An equation I might have calculated for myself, but chose to look past. "I suppose I have made something of a mess of my life.""I think trying to be happy shouldn't be disregarded, even if there are pot-holes in the path.""Ah," sharing what comes to mind, "as Pope might say - 'fools rush in where angels fear to tread'."A tired Bella watches, "I prefer Mr. Tennyson, 'tis better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all' ." Finding the human condition and our antics endlessly fascinating, I tend to write 'slice of life' pieces about moments, situations, interactions, personalities – most often with some amount of humor or irony, always with wonder. The subject or subjects are frequently lgbtq, w/w, to the degree it matters, since people are people, stories are stories. Renna Scot's life is quite purposely ordered. She does not suffer fools, gallantly manages her Victorian estate outside of New York City, as well as many successful business concerns. At least until the mysterious Comtesse de Havana takes up residence, challenges all the notions she clings so tightly to.Book I – How Things Begin: can even Renna Scot's calm cool hold out against a mysterious world traveler?Book II – In For A Penny: is there safe ground between attraction and surrender?Book III – Where Angels Tread: continues the tumultuous story of Renna Scot and the Comtesse de Havana past initial su

Renna Scot does not suffer fools, gallantly manages her Victorian estate outside of New York City, as well as many successful business concerns. Among her world are sidekick Gabriel, young, and as sweet as he is mischievous. Seth, her right hand, silent but intentional, grounding, but with his own past. Bella, Bella, Bella, beautiful actress, long time love – a bond sealed by many years of friendship, their shared past, passion. Wild Dove, her childhood friend, guide, and so much more. Renna, however, is an unconventional woman of many tastes, tends to juggle infatuations as a means of balancing her dedication, hard work, intensity – luckily her charm, or if it comes down to it, fierce independence, keep her a step ahead of most trifles. Enter Comtesse de Havana, a dark, mysterious traveler who instantly gets under skin, is not conditioned to the other's carefully constructed world, or likely to bow to it the way others do. Their impossible attraction is immediate, though neither has any intention of admitting, or accepting it - as if they have a choice.NEW: Book IV – With Little Hope: Set several years ahead, explores the bounds, limits, shapes, sizes of love, and expectation, whether the only constant is change.Book I – How Things Begin: can even Renna Scot's calm cool hold out against a mysterious world traveller?Book II – In For A Penny: is there safe ground between attraction and surrender?Book III – Where Angels Tread: continues the tumultuous story of Renna Scot and the Comtesse de Havana past initial surrender into the calamity beyond.Note: Not for the faint of heart - delves into a dark, intense attraction, push/pull romance, wanders through unconventional predilections, occupations, in the challenging, sometimes harsh days of mid-1800s Victorian America.Sample from Comtesse de Havana, With Little Hope, Book IV:Gabriel, ever the faithful friend, appears in my doorway. "Renna Scot, how can you stay inside on such a lovely day? Why?"Continuing to shuffle the papers on my desk, "because businesses do not run themselves, rain or shine.""Oh!" flipping a wrist, "that old thing again?" Peeking down at me through long lashes, "what is the point of all you gain by the work, if you never bother to enjoy it?"Recognizing this run up, "what is it you want to do?"Caught, smiling, "a ride – like we used to, off into the fields to see the early flowers."Seeing his bright, anticipatory face, I relent, "what time?""I was thinking ten. Might still be a little crisp, but the skies are clear, the day will warm."I have enough work to be here all day and night, but maybe he is right, getting out is important too. "Fine.""Maybe we can take Maria?" adding his sweetest smile.I see what he's doing. It is high time for her to get to know the place, improve horsemanship, learn her way around the world. "Perhaps," I allow.Standing in front of my desk, beaming, "thank you."The boy, man surely, no matter how I might think of him, still irks me with his kind pushing, though it is also endearing, "now go away." Finding the human condition and our antics endlessly fascinating, I tend to write 'slice of life' pieces about moments, situations, interactions, personalities – most often with some amount of humor or irony, always with wonder. The subject or subjects are frequently lgbtq, w/w, to the degree it matters, since people are people, stories are stories. Renna Scot's life is quite purposely ordered. She does not suffer fools, gallantly manages her Victorian estate outside of New York City, as well as many successful business concerns. At least until the mysterious Comtesse de Havana takes up residence, challenges all the notions she clings so tightly to.Book I – How Things Begin: can even Renna Scot's calm cool hold out against a mysterious world traveler?Book II – In For A Penny: is there safe ground between attraction and surrender?Book III – Where Angels Tread: continues the tumultuous story of Renna Scot and the Comtesse de

Renna Scot does not suffer fools, gallantly manages her Victorian estate outside of New York City, as well as many successful business concerns. Among her world are sidekick Gabriel, young, and as sweet as he is mischievous. Seth, her right hand, silent, intentional, grounding, but with his own past. Bella, Bella, Bella, beautiful actress, long time love – a bond sealed by many years of friendship, their shared past, passion. Wild Dove, her childhood friend, guide, and so much more. Renna, however, is an unconventional woman of many tastes, tends to juggle infatuations as a means of balancing her dedication, hard work, intensity – luckily her charm, or if it comes down to it, fierce independence, keep her a step ahead of most trifles. Enter Comtesse de Havana, a dark, mysterious traveler who instantly gets under skin, is not conditioned to the other's carefully constructed world, or likely to bow to it the way others do. Their impossible attraction is immediate, though neither has any intention of admitting, or accepting it - as if they have a choice.NEW: Book V – How Fools Fall: tells tales of redemption, chosen family, and love at last, but for which of the curious collection of souls?Book I – How Things Begin: can even Renna Scot's calm cool hold out against a mysterious world traveler? (FREE for a limited time)Book II – In For A Penny: is there safe ground between attraction and surrender?Book III – Where Angels Tread: continues the tumultuous story of Renna Scot and the Comtesse de Havana past initial surrender into calamity beyond.Book IV – With Little Hope: Set several years ahead, explores the bounds, limits, shapes, sizes of love, and expectation. How goes love when the only constant is change? Finding the human condition and our antics endlessly fascinating, I tend to write 'slice of life' pieces about moments, situations, interactions, personalities – most often with some amount of humor or irony, always with wonder. The subject or subjects are frequently lgbtq, w/w, to the degree it matters, since people are people, stories are stories. Renna Scot's life is quite purposely ordered. She does not suffer fools, gallantly manages her Victorian estate outside of New York City, as well as many successful business concerns. At least until the mysterious Comtesse de Havana takes up residence, challenges all the notions she clings so tightly to.Book I – How Things Begin: can even Renna Scot's calm cool hold out against a mysterious world traveler?Book II – In For A Penny: is there safe ground between attraction and surrender?Book III – Where Angels Tread: continues the tumultuous story of Renna Scot and the Comtesse de Havana past initial surrender into the calamity beyond. Can Renna settle into a new, much less ordered life with the fiery, still mysterious, still travelling Comtesse? And even if she does, will secrets revealed collapse their tenuous house of cards?More to come in 2021