About Gatehaven:
Gatehaven by
Molly Noble Bull is a Christian Gothic historical novel set in a
haunting mansion in the north of England where Ian Colquhoun and Shannon
Aimee battle a Frenchman with dark secrets—spiritual warfare vs. the
occult. Will they learn enough about God’s words to defend themselves
and others or will evil overcome them?
Chapter
One
A
country estate in Northern England
Early
January 1784
Monsieur
Etienne Gabeau wasn’t his real name.
His
name was Leon Picard. But Etienne Gabeau was the only name he’d
answered to since making England his home.
He
stood at a window in his sitting room, smiling inwardly as he looked
out. “The haunting presence that surrounds your mansion always
amazes me, my lord.”
The
young earl made no reply.
“Christians
who read the Bible might say the atmosphere at Gatehaven is quite the
devil’s doing. We both know why.” Leon/Etienne’s laugh had
mocking overtones. He pulled his dark cape closer to his thin,
shriveled body. “It’s a bit chilly tonight. Surely you must have
noticed.”
“Of
course I noticed.” The earl laughed from across the room. “An icy
rain was coming down when I arrived. You might have to put me in a
spare bedroom for the night, Monsieur. And why did you mention the
Bible? Who among our circle of friends pay any mind to it?”
“A
point well taken.” The Frenchman pushed back a curl from his eyes.
His
thick mass of dark curly hair had more white strands than black,
making Leon look older than his forty-five years. But twenty years
ago, he was called handsome.
“Still,”
Leon continued, “to the local villagers your estate is quite
mysterious. It reminds me of structures I saw in France, growing up.
And who can forget the red gate which gave Gatehaven its name?”
“When
did you learn of the red gate, Monsieur Gabeau?”
“I
learned the secret when your late father was the earl. You were but a
boy then.”
Lightning
cracked the night sky. Thunder boomed.
“I
saw it again, my lord.”
“Really?”
The earl’s weak smile indicated that he was mildly interested.
“What did you see?”
“Gatehaven…during
that flash of lightning.”
Someday
I will have Rachel and own
Gatehaven as well, Leon vowed mentally.
The
earl cleared his throat. “I’ve decided not to go to Scotland
after all, Monsieur.”
“Not
go?” Leon turned around in order to face him. “You must
go.” Leon Picard limped to his high-backed leather chair near the
fireplace, tapping his cane on the pine floor as he went. “You will
go.”
“I
beg your pardon.”
“I
said that you will go.” Leon hooked his cane on the arm of
his chair. Then he sat down and reached for the portrait on the small
table beside him. “I demand it.” Leon’s words, spoken with his
usual French accent, hung heavy in the air.
The
earl didn’t answer.
Leon
thought that Edward Wellesley, the Earl of Northon, looked stiff—as
if he’d suddenly turned to stone. At last the earl gazed at Leon
from a chair facing his.
“Demand?”
The muscles around the young earl’s mouth slowly relaxed. “You
have crossed the line, sir. Besides, I cannot go to Scotland. I have
pressing business here. However, a French gentleman like you should
enjoy such a journey.” His smile was edged in sarcasm. “Why not
go yourself?”
“On
these crippled legs? I think not. Besides, she would never receive
me.”
“I
am sorry. But it would be impossible for me to leave the country at
this time.”
Leon
turned, gazing at the fire flickering and popping in the hearth. “You
want the money, do you not?” He looked back at the earl like a
hungry cat that cornered a mouse.
“But
of course. You know I need money to pay my gambling debts.”
“Precisely.”
Leon didn’t miss the fleeting expression of fear that crossed the
younger man’s face. “I recently bought all your debts. I will
destroy them all, but only if you do exactly what I say. At dawn on
the morrow, you will set out for Scotland. And do dress warmly, my
young friend. It will be cold out.”
The
earl’s forehead wrinkled. “You say her last name is Aimee, and
she lives in the village of Luss. But how would an English earl meet
a Frenchwoman living in Scotland?”
“I
believe your family owns a hunting lodge near Luss, does it not?”
The
earl shrugged. “Even if I saw her on the street or near the Loch, I
would never recognize her. What is she called?”
Leon’s
quick laugh held a trace of mockery. “In France, she was called
Rachel. I see no reason why that would not be her name today.” Leon
grabbed the pearl handle of his cane with his left hand, leaned
forward, and handed the portrait to Edward. “Look at this portrait
carefully. Burn it into your brain. When you have brought her to me,
your debts will be paid in full—and not a moment sooner.”
“But
how can I convince her to come to England? I don’t even know the
woman.”
“You
are a fine-looking young man with your gold-colored locks and blue
eyes. I am sure you will find a way.” Leon rubbed his aching knee.
“Romance her. That should meet with success. Tell her you love her
and plan to marry her. Women like that. And my spies tell me that she
is not wedded at the moment.”
“You
have known me long enough to know, sir, that I am not the marrying
kind.”
“Have
you no wits about you?” Leon sent the earl a harsh glance. “I
don’t want you to actually marry her—only promise that you will.”
“I
cannot see how…”
“Tell
her you want her to come to England to meet your family before the
engagement is formally announced.” He smiled. “Yes, that would be
the thing. She is a peasant woman, but well educated. Apparently, at
one time her father was a teacher and a historian of sorts; she will
understand that you must have your mother and grandmother school her
in the ways of the quality before she becomes a part of it. And do
smile a lot, Lord Northon. Let her see those sparkling teeth of
yours.”
“I
will do as you say. But I doubt it can possibly work.”
“It
will work. Or you could find yourself in debtor’s prison.”
Leon sent the earl another smile—long and slow and filled with
hidden meanings that only Leon and Lord Northon could know. “And on
your way back to England, stop by the chapel near Edinburgh your
grandmother told you about. Do you know the one I mean?”
“Of
course.”
“I
should like to hear the latest news from there. One can never learn
too much about the craft—as I am sure you would agree.”
Four
months later
“Mama,
Papa.” Shannon Aimee stood with her back to the fireplace—barely
able to hold in her desire to shout her good news from the housetops.
“I have been offered a proposal of marriage, and I accepted. He is
coming here on the morrow to ask for my hand.”
“So,
Rachel Shannon.” A quick smile lighted her father’s face. “Ian
Colquhoun finally asked you to be his wife.”
Why
did her father always call her Rachel Shannon? Mama was Rachel, and
he knew she liked to be called Shannon. And why did Papa assume she
was marrying Ian?
“Tell
Ian that your mother and I could not be more pleased.”
“And
about time, too.” Her mother smiled. “Ian has loved you all your
life.”
“I
have no wish to marry Ian. He plans to become a man of the cloth, and
I would never make a pastor’s wife.” Shannon took a step toward
her parents, seated side by side on a blue settee so faded with age
its color had all but disappeared. “With your permission, I hope to
marry the earl—the Earl of Northon—as soon as my baby sister or
brother is born.”
Check out the first reviews on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18341706-gatehaven?from_search=true
Website: http://www.mollynoblebull.com/
Authors Bio:
Molly
Noble Bull was born in Kingsville, Texas—home of the famous King Ranch.
Her father and maternal grandfather were real Texas cowboys, and she
enjoys writing western romances. But she also writes historical novels.
Gatehaven,
her long Christian gothic set in Europe in 1784, won the 2013 Creation
House Fiction Writing Contest while still a manuscript, and Gatehaven is
the novel being featured today. However, Molly’ first two published
novels came out from Zondervan. Her Zondervan novels were later
reprinted and published as Promise Romances from Guideposts. Molly also
sold novels to Love Inspired and Tsaba House, and Westbow Press
published The Overcomers: Christian Authors Who Conquered Learning Disabilities,
a non-fiction book she wrote with four other Christian authors. Molly
owns the rights to her Zondervan romance novels now, and she will soon
self publish The Rogue’s Daughter as an e-book. Rogue is a western set on a South Texas cattle ranch in 1890.
Tour Schedule:
March:
24th Lorilyn @ Lorilyn Roberts
25th Phaedra @ Identity Discovery
26th Sheila @ Sheila Deeth
27th Vicki @ Deal Sharing Aunt
28th Lisa @ Seeking with all Yur Heart
31st Katheryn @ Shelf Full of Books
April:
2nd Renee @ Black ‘n Gold Girl’s Book Spot
4th Brooke @ I Blog 4 Books
Melina @ Melina’s Book Blog
My review;
I just finished reading Gatehaven and I was unable to put it down until I finished. This novel was suspenseful from the first few pages. I am not embarrassed to say that this book was a little scary. I am going to read more of this author's books as soon as I can, she is one of my new favorites. I very much give this book a 5/5. I was given this book by Lightning Book Productions and all opinions are my own
Thanks for posting. ~ Stormi, Lightning Book Promotion
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