Finding Emmaline. A Blackwood Series Novel. Book 1

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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or used fictitiously.

Published by J.R. Byers, 2021.

Finding Emmaline.

A Blackwood Series Novel.

Written by J.R. Byers.

Copyright © 2021 J.R. Byers.

 Prologue.

Aberdeen, Scotland. 1744

Brushing a hand across my cheek, he pushed a strand of soft hair behind my ear. “I’ll be back before you know it, love,” he whispered.

I closed my eyes at his touch, turning my face into his palm. “Come with me to the docks,” he beseeched, as he had every day since he’d decided to go. “I want your beautiful face to be the last thing I see as we leave port,” he murmured, stroking a finger over my cheek. “It will give me something to hold on to, as I lie awake on the long, cold nights,” Leaning in, he placed his lips to mine, “wishing you were there beside me,” he whispered into my mouth.

But even as I relished his kiss, I knew what my answer must once again be. I pulled away, gazing up into his tender, emerald-green eyes. “I cannot watch you leave, William,” I whispered brokenly. “I know I should be stronger, but to watch you sail away from me,…I couldn’t bear it.”

His eyes roamed my face, and I knew he was committing every detail, every curve, to memory, before he sighed deeply. “Willful English lass,” he teased.

“Stubborn Scot,” I mumbled. And there it was. The smile that would keep me going on the lonely days that loomed ahead. When I yearned for nothing more than to hold him in my arms.

I needed to do so now, just one last time.

I reached up and pulled him down to me, hugging him close to bury my face in his neck as I wrapped my arms around his massive shoulders. “You’re lucky I love you as much as I do,” I whispered into his ear.

“Hmmm, that I ken, love,” he growled softly back, turning his face to my cheek.“ And for that,…I will be forever grateful.”

We held each other a moment longer, both of us doing our best not to dwell on how difficult the next month was going to be. Then, with a muffled groan, he reluctantly pulled away to place his forehead against mine. “My men are waiting, love. I must go.”

I felt the tears gliding down my cheeks as I nodded, then pulled out of his arms, watching from the bed as he strode to the door, gathering his heavy coat and the haversack from the chair by the dressing table. Hooking the heavy bag over his shoulder, he walked back to the bed, and my heart ached as he leaned down and kissed me one last time, his tongue delving deeply between my lips to ravage my mouth, until with a moan of regret, he pulled away, turning to stride swiftly to the door.

“William,” I called out, and he turned back as I took a breath, attempting to strengthen my resolve. “You come back to me,” I demanded calmly.

And as I sat there, staring into his vivid green eyes, he made a vow. “I will always come back to you Emmaline,” he promised. “Always.”

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Finding Emmaline

A Blackwood Series Novel

By J.R. Byers

Available on Amazon

amazon.com/dp/B09BGF92ZZ