I’m travelling back to Victorian times today – I’m off to see Conan Doyle and William Gillette’s Sherlock Holmes play in London in a mo. So why not travel with me? Here’s a snippet from my time travel novella, Trick of Time (which is, appropriately enough, set in and around the Criterion Theatre in Piccadilly):
I realise this is way over 6 sentences. But hey, it’s Christmas! 😉
My present companion had on a single-breasted jacket that was open to display a dark waistcoat and a sort of white cravat. His clothes suited the scene a damned sight better than my jeans and T-shirt—suited the temperature better too; I shivered and wrapped my arms about myself. He had dark hair, slightly curly, and a full mouth, bringing to mind the cherubs from the Cri’s ceilings. His features, though, were far finer than theirs, his elegant cheekbones starkly visible, not hidden by a layer of puppy fat. He was a pared-down Lord Alfred Douglas, the highborn beauty who’d brought a playwright to his knees.
My lip quirked in a self-mocking smile. I was no Oscar Wilde, that was for sure.
The lad looked me up and down slowly then smiled without warmth, showing crooked teeth that were disconcertingly engaging—a touch of flawed humanity in that perfect face.
Then he spoke. “Oi, piss off, will yer? This is my patch.”
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***
A lover from another time
When Ted Ennis steps out the doors of the Criterion Theatre for a cigarette and finds himself in Victorian London, he begins to doubt his sanity. At first he thinks it’s all a film set, and is sure that the strikingly handsome young man leaning against a lamppost must be the leading man…
What starts as a sordid transaction with a beautiful rent boy quickly turns into something much deeper, drawing him back again and again as he gets to know Jem and craves meaningful encounters with him.
But Ted doesn’t understand the exact conditions necessary for his trips through time—and for Jem, time may actually be running out. Now Ted has one last shot to get back to Jem and save their relationship, before it’s too late…
I love the contrast between that beautiful description and the man’s words. 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
the story is really quite fine
❤
Ooo, I adore the Oscar Wilde/Alfred Douglas analogy! (heart)
Thanks! 😀
Blurb is really intriguing. And I love the way the last line sort of blows his image.
Thank you! 😀
Well now. Wasn’t quite expecting that last line.
Neither was Ted! 😉
Ooh, I was totally intrigued. Who is the mysterious man with his sharp clothes and apparently sharper tongue?
That’s what Ted’s about to find out… 😉
The last line caught me by surprise!
Then my work here is done. *g*
I think this is the first story of yours that I read–I loved it then, and it’s stayed with me 🙂
Aw, thank you! That’s quite a compliment. 🙂
Haha. That’s a top last line. 😀
❤
Gorgeous description and the contrast with that last line is fantastic.
Thank you! 😀