Tuesday Tales: From a Picture

Welcome back. Well, we’re halfway through July. Why is it summer seems to pass so much wore quickly than winter? Tuesday Tales is a blog by specific authors who carry you along as we develop the plots and create the books we hope you’ll love. I’m continuing with The Price of Courage. This week is picture prompt week, so we are limited to 300 words. Sadly, bad news is often on the heels of good news.

This week, I called upon the talents of my cover artist, Melinda De Ross, to remove the twenty-first century elements from the picture to make it fit even better. Many thanks to Jean Joachim for finding me such a great one!

Enjoy.

“I tell you Nicholas, the worst thing that can happen to a colony is the disinterest on the part of the Crown,” Talon said, pulling Murielle’s attention to him once more. “The English and Dutch outnumber us, and soon, unless we do something to increase our numbers, the colony will fail.”

He turned to her. “Madame, should you choose to come to New France, I’m certain none of the eager men living there, some with motherless children, would consider you past your prime.”

Murielle laughed. “Thank you. I’ll keep your offer in mind. Now, since dessert is finished, I’ll leave you to your port and tobacco. I’ll see you both at first light.”

Her duties as hostess over for the evening, she left the dining room and climbed the stairs to her room to ponder this new information. It was unfortunate that Talon wasn’t staying the three days as planned. She would’ve liked to learn more about the colony and the mysterious Izzy. She picked at a thread on the embroidered flower on her dressing gown. Going to New France was suddenly even more appealing than it had been.

* * *

Pounding at the door startled Murielle from a deep sleep.

“Ma mie, are you awake?” her uncle cried, using the name he’d given her as a child, the panic in his voice spearing her.

“Yes, Uncle Nicholas, am I late? Is it morning?”

“If only it were,” he said, opening the door. “The main house is on fire. Dress quickly. Young Espé is downstairs. She has Melda and Marc with her. How the poor girl managed to get them out of the house is nothing short of a miracle.”

Murielle sat up. “What of the others?” she asked, knowing from the tears on the old man’s face that the situation didn’t bode well.

That’s it. Don’t forget to check out all the other posts on  Tuesday Tales.