Excerpt of A Devil's Touch by Victoria Vane

Diana paused her perusal of the bookshelves to rub the small of her back with a self–pitying sigh. Perhaps she was making too much of matters and all would return to normal after her lying in? Hoping to lose herself for a day or two until his return, Diana selected the latest novel penned by Fannie Burney, the adventures of a young heiress named Cecelia. She retrieved the book from the shelf but by now her feet and back ached so badly, she dreaded the thought of climbing the stairs to her private apartments.

Instead, her gaze settled on her husband's highly comfortable and recently vacated chair. Alighting in the plush over–stuffed chair, Diana released a soft moan of contentment. Ensconced in the faint scents of leather and Ludovic, a renewed calm seemed to settle over her. Giving in to the most unladlylike urge to prop her feet on the desk, Diana took up a stack of papers to clear a spot, but a particular sheet of foolscap conspicuously penned in a most delicate and elaborate style of calligraphy caught her eye. It was definitely not a man's hand.

Curious, she picked up the letter. The wax seal had already been broken, revealing a terse note of only a few lines. She hesitated with a pang of guilt, knowing she should not proceed further, but her currently state of anxiety overcame her initial qualms. Diana read:

Most honored Efendi

It is with the greatest humility that I appeal to he who once safeguarded my life. It is with exceeding distress that I must entreat you once more being much in need of a friend and protector.Your most devoted and obedient servant,

Salime

Diana clutched the missive to her breast with quivering lips. An old friend indeed! Was it truly a man named Simon he went so urgently to meet... or an erstwhile lover named Salime?