Book title: White Lady
Author: Nix Whittaker
Genre: Steampunk
Series: Book 2 Wyvern Mysteries
Release date: 1 September 2019
Amazon link: amzn.to/2LhR1Js
Other books in the series:
Lady Golden Hand – Book 1 Wyvern Mysteries
Blurb: Hunted by a witch doctor that had already managed to sever a foot, Medea is forced to run from city to city. That is until she lands in Everett's store for mechanical limbs. Everett is not only able to give her back what she had lost but just maybe he could help her break free from the witch doctor that haunts her. Website: https://www.nixwhittaker.com/
Author Bio:
Nix Whittaker is an English teacher in the heart of the North Island of New Zealand. She lives with her cats and her dog in the shadow of an active volcano where she writes in her spare time.
Nix started as a reader to help improve her spelling as she is dyslexic but was hooked by the marvellous worlds of Mercedes Lackey and Terry Pratchett. As time passed and she read out the library, she was forced to write to feed her ferocious need to read. Now her books are influenced by Patricia Briggs and Anne Bishop as she is still very much a reader and so writes books she would like to read herself.
The bell tinkling above the door made Everett raise his head sharply. Whacking his head on the counter he was under as he was searching for an errant bolt. Rubbing the back of his head he angled out of the space to see who had entered his store.
A ghost in an emerald pinstriped skirt and cream blouse stood in the light from the store windows. He recoiled, knocking a half-constructed hand off the table behind him. The ghost leaned on a single brass and mahogany crutch tucked under her arm. Skin as pale as a frosty field, her wavy hair reigned free in the same absence of colour as her skin. A pair of green-tinted glasses hid her eyes.
She tilted her head to one side at his reaction. “Are you Ancaster?” Her plain tone lacked the ethereal nature of a ghost which left Everett with only one explanation for her appearance.
Albino.
He’d only heard of albino’s. Mostly from his younger sister who was training to be a doctor. The only other mention he’d seen of albinos was for fairs.
“Sorry Miss, you surprised me.” He dusted off his shirt, hoping nothing from under the counter still clung to him. He offered his hand. “I’m Ancaster.” She took his hand. Even the briefest of touches had palpitations interrupting his heart. Flustered, Everett asked, “Are you here for a
prosthetic?” Laughing, he ran a hand through his hair. “Of course, you are here for a prosthetic.” Everett waved a hand to a stool tucked under the table. He dragged it out and dusted it off with his hand.
She raised an eyebrow high enough that it peeked over the top of the tinted glasses. As she drew closer, he took in her ageless beauty though he judged her to be younger than himself. She tucked her crutch against the counter and lifted herself onto the stool. He pulled another stool from under the counter and positioned himself across from her.
With slate and chalk in hand, he asked, “What are you looking for? Limb-wise I mean.”
She smoothed her hands over her skirt. “Aren’t you going to ask whether I can afford it?”
He flapped the hand with the chalk to dismiss the issue of payment. As the son of a Duke, he didn’t have to worry about his store closing if he gave away a limb or two. “We can figure out cost once you’ve told me what you need.” Nibbling on her lip in hesitation, she revealed the wound by gathering up handfuls of material and lifting the hem of her skirt to uncover her amputated foot.
Everett speculated the reason for the injury. “Not frostbite. Not unless you enjoy climbing mountains.” He flashed her a grin, hoping she would welcome the humour. The glasses hid the intense gaze she levelled at him but he felt it all the same. “Sorry, I’m a bit rusty at this.”
“At what, Mister Ancaster?” Amusement laced her words.
“Flirting.” He blushed.
If you like what you see, take a look on Amazon