Thank you for your interest in my book: A TAINTED HOMECOMING!
Description:
Gregory Brennan returns home from the War of 1812 a lost soul searching for a new purpose in life. The battles still raging inside him after being captured and held prisoner until the end of the war. Dunstan Brennan yearns to help his brother find peace and new life safe at home in England. He decides Lady Monica Harris could be the one to catch his brother's attention enough to keep him home. Only one problem Dunstan does not foresee. Gregory's rival on board ship, Jack Hale, is interested in Lady Monica as well. After the embarrassment of having Dunstan ask him to leave the Brennan estate, Hale plots his revenge on both brothers whether he wins the heart of the beautiful Monica or not.
CHAPTER ONE
August 1815
Lieutenant Gregory Brennan surveyed the shadows outlining the dark harbor of London lying before him. A misty rain hung in the fog as if they were one, combining with the early morning air to soak his lieutenanat's uniform. The light from the lantern hung on the bow of the boat illuminating a young midshipman, a crewman rowing the small boat to shore, and himself. The brown eyed midshipman with his dark hair pulled back under his hat, was young, not more than sixteen but Gregory had complete confidence in him. The war had made the younger man older than his years. Gregory's thoughts paused a moment, perhaps, at the age of twenty-three, that statement included himself as well.
Gregory brought his attention back to the land ahead of him. Tension caused every muscle in his body to ache. He thought of how important it was for him to remain still and not allow the younger officer to see his anxiety. Seeing a lieutenant in a struggle to control his emotions would not be good for discipline. Gregory caught the young midshipman watching him and realized his fingers were moving in a nervous drumming motion. He quickly balled his hands into fists and shifted his weight. No, that was not comfortable. He moved again. Realizing once more, he was revealing his emotions. Taking a deep breath, he concentrated on being quiet and staring over the bow of the small boat.
The city lay in darkness, the sound of the oars sliding through the water breaking the early morning slience. A few flickering candles in a window here and there being the only sign of life in the harbor town. This had to be the worst time of the night to be going ashore but Gregory had no choice. Another minute on the suffocating ship and he would have gone mad. Gregory needed to feel solid land beneath his feet. Needed to talk to ...
"Will you be needing me to wait, sir?" the midshipman inquired with an accent which revealed his lower, British class birth as he reached the lantern to his lieutenant.
Gregory realized they had arrived at the dock. "No, Mr. Montgomery. You may return to the ship. I have no more need of you tonight," Gregory replied, his voice a rich, deep tone. His accent was a mixture of British upper class and the Irish brogue of his parents. He climbed from the boat and hung the lantern on the end of the dock. "Have a safe trip back to the ship."
"Good luck to you,sir," Montgomery said as the crewman shoved the oar against the dock, sending the small boat in the direction of the ship anchored in the harbor. "I hope you find what you are seeking."
Gregory stiffened. How did Montgomery know? Was it that obvious? "Thank you, Mr. Montgomery," he replied softly and watched the young man disappear into the fog as the boat slid back toward the anchored ship. He then turned to face the city covered in darkness and sighed. It had been a long time since he had last seen London. A lot had changed. Mainly inside him.
Gregory spied over his shoulder in the direction of the boat. Confusion flooded over him. Was he doing the right thing? His doubt almost suffocated him. Maybe it was not the effect of the ship after all.
Gregory gazed into the water lapping at the posts of the dock. The lantern created a shimmering reflection of himself. The solder gazing back only slightly resembled the one who had went to war five years ago. His straight, blonde hair was partly covered by the three-cornered black hat and pulled back in military style, but the length fell below his shoulder blades. He had been taking the time to cut his bangs, at least, until the prisoner camp. Now the hair fell over his eyes. The once new blue coat and white pants were beginning to show the years at sea. The weathered leather belt, hung over his shoulder holding the sheath of his Naval cutlass, revealed its time at sea as well. The metal weapon polished and shining in what light it could find this time of morning. His pistol had been cleaned also and shoved into his gun belt.
Gregory had tried his best to show his pride in His Majesty's Navy as he prepared to come ashore, but his heart had not been in it. He had requested permission to come ashore while dining with Captain Harris. Their conversation lasting into the night. Gregory finally convinced his friend to allow him to come after confessing his current state of mind. His doubts of a Navy career and the lingering sadness ached within him. Now Gregory found himself doubting even that action.
A crashing sound echoed throughout the dock and every nerve in Gregory's body tensed. Without seeming to do so, he studied the area of the dock. Gregory remembered all too well the kind of people who prowled this time of night. His hand slowly checked the position of the pistol at his side and the naval cutlass beside it, knowing his uniform would be too great a temptation for some.
Gregory turned to study the area behind him. The fog clung to most of the buildings, hiding the decay and adding an air of mystery and macrbre. The only sound around him now being the water softly lapping at the posts of the dock. He could faintly hear the sounds of the ships anchored at a distance. The slight creaking of the wood as they gently moved in the calm waters, the laughing and singing of the crews awaiting to be released to shore in this time of peace. They only reminded Gregory of his undecided future. He knew the Inexorable was anchored out there somewhere with the rest. What would happen to him if his ship was not chosen to remain in the service? Did he want to continue this life if it was chosen?
Gregory sighed with weariness and faced London once again. He needed to get to the house and rest. He extinguished the light of the lantern. At least, it would not be the lantern whcih attracted attention from the people lurking here on shore. Gregory pulled his pack further upon his shoulder, peering into the darkness surrounding the street as he took a step forward. The weathered wood creaked slightly under his shifting weight. Sonething moved in front of him. Would he be forced to deal with someone already? A skinny, calico cat leapt from behind a stack of boards and scurried away. Gregory relaxed a little. He rolled his shoulders back and began walking forward. Listening to the sound of his boots on the weathered wood of the dock echoing in the fog. It was a dangerous walk to the family house on the hill. This fog hanging over everything did not help in easing his nerves. He could see only a short distance ahead of him. He could not see any trouble coming