Waiting for the Longships

"The Norse women wait for the Longships to return."

Astrid looked across the room at her son illuminated by the fire but obscured by the mist of its smoke. She hoped he wouldn’t wake up and wonder what his parents were doing on the straw mattress opposite. Not that...

A Night in the Old South

"An English girl is caught up in the fall of the Old South when she visits her American cousin."

Ellen heard muffled voices somewhere off in the darkness and froze in her tracks. The rutted path upon which she struggled to keep her footing, had no doubt been recently trampled by soldiers on their way to and from the...

The Pursuit of Manliness

"Colonel Norman finds satisfaction in Imperial Service"

It was patently evident to Colonel Nesmith Norman what the nawab was so clumsily suggesting. The pretty girl who was being presented to him and who was one of the nawab’s many daughters borne to him no doubt by one...

Maude/Madeleine Part 13

"Madeeine and Maria leave Mistress Pickles's house"

In 1800 Maria and I were summonsed to Mistress Pickles. Jenkins, dressed in her customary Butler’s attire led us and stood in the corner as the Mistress bade us sit, then offered us sherry wine. We accepted and Jenkins served...