Trouble in Nuala (The Inspector de Silva Mysteries Book 1) Read online

  The side of the tent had rudimentary windows made of murky plastic. He positioned himself by one of them and watched. The Wynne-Talbots stopped when they were close to where he stood, but he was still unable to make out what they were saying. He had the impression, however, that their exchange wasn’t amicable.

  Ralph Wynne-Talbot’s head was very close to his wife’s and he spoke rapidly, emphasising his words with jabs of his finger. Helen Wynne-Talbot’s delphinium-blue eyes were red rimmed and her lovely face pale as if she had been crying. Suddenly, her husband grabbed her by the wrist. She winced and tried to pull away but he held on for a few more moments before he let her go. De Silva felt sorry for her.

  He waited until they had passed on then returned to the others, mulling over what he’d seen. He wondered what had been the cause of the argument. Whatever it was, it seemed that in spite of their glamour the Wynne-Talbots were not a happy couple.

  Other Books by Harriet Steel

  Becoming Lola

  The true story of how Eliza Gilbert, the daughter of an obscure Ensign in the British Army and his cold Irish wife, became the nineteenth century’s most notorious adventuress, Lola Montez.

  “Throughout Becoming Lola I kept having to remind myself that the story was based on historical fact. It is a fascinating journey following a woman’s single-minded determination to get the very best for herself at all costs.” Historical Novel Society

  “A fascinating read. Lola was such a gutsy character, and Harriet Steel has captured her times and adventures very vividly. It's a must read if you like wild women and strange adventures.” Beth Webb, Author of the Star Dancer trilogy.

  Available in Kindle or paperback.

  Salvation

  It is 1586: plagued by religious strife at home and with the Royal Treasury almost exhausted, England holds her breath. When will Philip of Spain launch his Armada?

  In this world of suspicion and fear, three people pursue their own struggles for happiness and salvation.

  When an enemy threatens to reveal his illicit affair with a married woman, young lawyer’s clerk, Tom Goodluck, is forced to leave his old life behind him. An aspiring playwright, for a while his future in the burgeoning world of Elizabethan theatre looks bright but then events take an unexpected turn that threatens his very existence. His mentor and friend, theatre manager Alexandre Lamotte, comes to his rescue but Lamotte’s past hides tragedy and a dark secret. In trying to save Tom, he puts everything he has achieved at risk. Meanwhile Tom’s lover, Meg, is forced to set out on a path that will test her mettle to the limit.

  Available in paperback or Kindle.

  City of Dreams

  After a whirlwind courtship and marriage to dashing Frenchman Emile Daubigny, Anna, the teenage daughter of a Russian furrier, moves to Paris with her new husband, looking forward to a life of gaiety, love and comfortable affluence.

  Married life and the social scene in the most fashionable city on earth is everything Anna hoped it would be, but when Emile vanishes without trace and she is evicted, Anna is forced to discover the city’s poverty-stricken dark side of harsh streets and squalid tenements, where the temptation for a penniless young lady to become a kept woman is overwhelming.

  To make matters worse, war with Prussia looms and Anna and the city she loves will both struggle to survive.

  Available in paperback or Kindle.

  Following the Dream

  The sequel to City of Dreams continues Anna’s story in the vibrant city of Paris.

  Available on Kindle only.

  Dancing and Other Stories

  Profits from this collection of short stories will be donated to WaterAid, a charity working to bring clean water and sanitation to villages in the Third World. The collection takes a light-hearted look at some of the big issues in life: love, hate, friendship, jealousy, revenge and biscuits. It includes the prize-winning story, Dryad, co-authored with bestselling author, Joanne Harris for the BBC’s National Competition, End of Story.

  Available on Kindle only.

  Table of Contents

  Kindle Edition published 2016Copyright © Harriet Steel

  ContentsAuthor’s NoteIntroductionChapter 1Chapter 2

  Author’s Note

  Introduction

  Chapter 1CeylonFebruary 1934

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22