Shimmy and Steam: Book One - For Queen And Country

By Michelle Kopra

Lady Constance is the leader of The Gypsy. A group of spies traveling around Europe on and airship, disguised as dancers. For Queen Victoria, they infiltrate the courts of kings and queens to gain information for their boss.
The Gypsy goes in search of a criminal for the queen, with the help of the dashing lord Colin. Constance and Colin, once ago lovers, resumes their love affair on board the gypsy.
However, time has changed them both. Constance, accustomed to being in charge, finds Colin’s take charge attitude too much for her to bear.
As they catch the criminal, will their love rise above their differences?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michelle Kopra
• Release date: Oct 5, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465743190

Michelle Kopra

Lives in Texas!

Book preview

Shimmy & Steam

Book 1

For Queen & Country

By Michelle Kopra

2011 Copyright by Michelle Kopra

Smashwords Edition

Chapter One - Russia

From the lead-colored sky came the hum of the steam engines. Thick cables dropped from the wooden ship, to a small circle of wind-beaten tents, blending with the snow-covered landscape.

From the central tent, a thin voice drifted out to meet the wind. Mesdames et Messieurs!

A trickle of the freezing wind managed its way inward, making Lady Constance and Lilly shiver.

Bloody hell! Lilly swore in a strong Welsh accent. Wish I had something warmer than this old green jumper. Why didn’t we set up surveillance on The Gypsy?

Shush! Constance leaned closer to the speakers. Petyr’s voice disrupted by static as the wind once more it broke into the tent. The captain couldn’t land The Gypsy in this wind, and we need to be on the ground to get decent reception.

Argh. Get on with it, Petyr. Lilly shivered again as she watched him on the sepia-colored screen.

Standing in the corner of the hall, the raised platform made him appear taller. His hair was slicked back, and mustache twirled upwards. His black eyes scanned the crowd in the imperial winter palace and held his arms up dramatically.

Hush. Constance tried to appear calm. This is his first time out. He’s doing just fine.

His imperial majesty the Tsar Alexander, I give you the mysterious, the enchanting – La Seraphine!

Constance took a drag of her honey-flavored cigarillo. On the screen, the center of the hall lit up, illuminating a small elegantly decorated tent. Gold coins shimmered along the edges, pulsing to the beat of the drums. The music rose in tempo and drapes slowly opened. From within, long bare legs appeared in a suggestive pose.

Constance took another nervous drag. A collective gasp rippled through the court. A shapely leg curled around the drape. The music paused. When it began again, the seductive sounds of the oboe joined in. The beat slowed down, the dancer twisted her legs to the music. Twirling hips, rolling curves, and Constance nodded with relief as the Tsar leaned forward.

She’s got his attention.

The Tsar lifted a monocle. Even on the sepia screen, the shell around the lens glowed with an unusual green light.

Is that what we’re after? Lilly adjusted brass knobs on the panel to get a clearer picture.

No, the boss lady wanted Sera to place a listening device.

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 and is summoning us home. Return to camp immediately.

Constance saw bewilderment on Petyr’s face, but couldn’t give her operatives any more information over the earpiece. Behind her, a flurry of activity kicked up when the ticker tape came through