Deeds, Daggers, and Diplomacy: Trencadis Tales

By MB Austin

What does the intriguing stranger interrupting Coreopsis Fairholm-Mendoza's peaceful morning want? Visitors to Majorca who need an Independent Agent don't skulk about spying on one before asking for help.

Honoree Durand, Envoy to the embargoed Great Britain, needs Core's talents as a truth reader for a most delicate diplomatic matter. Success could benefit Britain's down-trodden: workers, Travelers, women. Step one: convince Core.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Seedbomb Studio
• Release date: Apr 17, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201019068

Book preview

Deeds, Daggers, and Diplomacy

Deeds, Daggers, and Diplomacy

A Trencadis Tale

MB Austin

Seedbomb Studio

Copyright © 2021 by MB Austin

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

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Contents

Deeds, Daggers, and Diplomacy

Afterword

Also by MB Austin

About the Author

Deeds, Daggers, and Diplomacy

Ashadow fell across my face, blocking the early spring sun that warmed my little table on the patio of the café serving the second-best chai on Mallorca. I kept my eyes closed, disinclined to chat with Visitors strolling the waterfront. A friend wouldn’t hesitate to wake me, and a Neighbor would settle at a table nearby and wait politely. Whoever stood between me and the view would move on soon enough.

An impatient rustle of fabric induced me to peek. Scarlet filled my narrow view. A brocaded scarlet skirt, a bit heavy for a Neighbor this time of year. Intrigued, I stretched my neck and opened my eyes as if shaking off the fog of slumber.

Pardon me, you’ve dropped your pamphlet. That voice…low but not quite husky. Familiar, yet not someone I knew. Was this my shadow, finally emerging into the light of day? And it does look more important than sunbathing.

The caressing humor in that tone elicited a smile, despite my chagrin at being caught out. I tilted my head up to greet the parasol-shaded face of my amused accuser. Strong but finely crafted, like the rich alto voice that went with the familiar figure. Now I felt quite certain the elegant personage who haunted me these past two weeks now stood before me. Two weeks of observing a person from a distance without introducing oneself suggests a compelling interest countered by a burdensome shyness. Had I looked upon that face earlier, I might have relieved its owner of that burden and introduced myself. But would I have kept my oath to abstain from idle pleasures, then? Today, like every day, provided ample temptation.

Thank you, I said, reaching out for the folded paper. But the attractive stranger didn’t notice, too busy studying the vacancy listings to see my gesture. I cleared my throat, which did the trick.

I do hope your search for new habitation goes well, thon said, laying the paper down on the little café table. I couldn’t help but notice a preponderance of homes for a solitary individual.

My smile faltered. How perspicacious of you, I replied without addressing the question. Even after months apart from Rilla, the loss of our ill-fated love still stung. "Would you care to join me? My friends call me Core. How