TRUMPERY TUESDAY

Ten Lines from the first book in the Shimmy and Steam series, For Queen and Country:

The music built to its peak, pausing as the court held their breaths. With a crash of the drums, the fabric of the tent billowed to the ground like wings of a butterfly. The lovely Seraphine exposed.

Silence filled the hall as courtiers took in the sight. A headdress of coins shimmered over her honey locks. She stood in a pose, one arm over her head, and the other resting at her knee. With a flick of her wrist, gold coins jingled on her head and chest as the music began again. The beat quickened to match the speed of her shimmying hips.

The crowd remained breathless as she twirled. Hair and sheer fabric spun around her. Long legs descended off the platform taking steps as her hips curved forward. She reached the seated group, a veil, matching the fabric of her skirt appeared in her hands. Swaying to the music, she lifted the veil over her head and rolled her hips side to side until she inched closer towards the Tsar with a seductive smile.

More than one guard stepped forward, weapon at the ready to stop the dancer. However, the Tsar with a sheen of lust on his face waved them away. Seraphine danced, letting the fabric of her skirt sway against his legs.

Neither the Tsar nor his guards heard the frantic voice piped through a jeweled bit of earring.

“Abort!” Constance shouted, cigarillo lying forgotten on the ground. “I repeat, abort. The boss lady has called off the mission