Tags
Catherine Cavendish, Dark Avenging Angel, Dracula, Horror, Nemisis, Samhain Publis, Whitby, Whitby Abbey
I do not know about felicitations, as you will gather from today’s guest and the fact my arm has now been broken in ten places BUT never let it be said I am not welcoming. After all, why should I be worried about welcoming the lovely Milady Cavendish aboard when the last time she had the most unfortunate accident leaving the ship…. Despite that, here she is again.
Anyway, here we are today in Whitby. Now we have been there before but with its dramatic abbey and cliff-face, its Dracula connection, it does seem the place to keep Milady Cavendish in welcome Milady Cavendish, given what she writes.
Tribulations, I mean, felicitations on seeing you in our little stopover today here in Whitby.
Can you tell us something about your journey from your homeland?
Milady, it was a bit bumpy to be honest. Mainly because the crew member you sent me hadn’t passed his driving test and insisted on transporting me in a Hansom cab.
Really?? Goodness. But then these men don’t do a thing I tell them.
Tell me, have you ever negotiated the M62 in a Hansom cab? Believe me, it is not an experience I should like to repeat in a hurry. Actually, there was no hurry, that was one of the problems. He also didn’t seem to understand why he couldn’t get hay for the horses at a motorway service station – or why the attendant there kept giving us funny looks. As for what he tried to do with the petrol hose…
Well, I have never before seen a horse cross his eyes and I never want to see it again either!
Well, so long as he did not mistake you for the horse good Lady Cavendish. I do have such trouble getting pirates these days. I cannot think why. The crew are making you welcome I trust?
Oh yes, indeed, Milady.
I must have a word with them…. One captain in particular. You have brought me a pleasing little gift I see.
Actually, I’ve brought you two. As you are moored here off the coast of Whitby – where Count Dracula first set foot on English soil – you will naturally be concerned to avoid the tiresome night-time visits from some of his – ahem – converts. So, here is a wonderful necklace of garlic.
I know how much her eye is on Flint but this is ridiculous. Ou est le plank?
But also, as we are here, I couldn’t fail to obtain a wonderful piece of jewellery for you, created from the finest jet, mined locally and made famous by the late Queen Victoria herself when she was in mourning for her beloved Albert.
On second thoughts…..
Maybe you could wear the two together – start a new fashion. I know what a trendsetter you are, Milady.
Moi? I would not be seen dead. I mean, but of course. Now….you have met the charming members of the club. Can you tell us why we should each of us spend a week reading your book?
I do know the crew enjoy a good scare, and they also get quite a kick out of avenging Flint and attacking his enemies. Dark Avenging Angel is all about vengeance. They might learn a few new tricks, although I urge caution if they decide to have a go at conjuring up this particular demon. My main character – Jane – learned why.
Don’t hurt Jane. You may live to regret it.
Really. I am glad we are starting to understand this principle Milady Cavendish. If only Shehanne would do the same we would all get along so nicely….
Bullied by her abusive father, Jane always felt different. Then the lonely child found a friend in a mysterious dark lady who offers her protection—a lady she calls her “angel”. But that protection carries a terrible price, one to be paid with the souls of those Jane chooses to suffer a hideous and eternal fate.
When Jane refuses to name another victim, the angel reveals her most terrifying side. Payment must be made in full—one way or the other.
Well, I must say you have convinced us to bury ourselves in this immediately. It is just the reading for Whitby. While I think I have cured Flint of eyeing other women, you in particular, he is still a great one for eyeing everything else. He calls it booty. Is there anything I should do to disabuse him of helping himself to other people’s boats and their contents? Already we have four gondolas aboard.
Well, you are all in Whitby, so you could regale him with some of the local legends concerning its (arguably) most famous citizen. You could remind him that night-time forays to steal boats could result in him being discovered lashed to the helm, his throat torn open…It has happened many times over the years… In these parts it is wise to stay indoors after the sun sets over the horizon and not to venture out until the dawn is pink and golden in the sky.
Gracious. I fear my true reason for asking you to Whitby has been uncovered. Of course that is such a powerful scene in Dracula.
Mama’s kitchen https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mamas-Kitchen/431002043619495?fref=ts
most thoughtfully provided our fare today, largely because the pirates eschew the culinary arts for cutlass waving, drinking and frolicking on shore with wenches. Do you have any tips for making them try at least to help my maid, Susan, in the galley? It is such a task and she gets quite fraught.
No, no, I cannot stress it enough. NO! Whale blubber sandwiches might be all right for some, but not the way they do them and not every day either. I’m sorry, but dear Susan deserves a raise and never to be troubled by any of the crew. The poor woman has enough to bear! Oh – best give her some garlic too. I have a mind that the dear Count has taken a fancy to her…
He would be the only one. Whitby is lovely I am sure, with the abbey, the steps to the abbey the Captain Cook museum and all, what sites—if any– do you intend visiting here when you leave the ship? Provided of course, you first sign a disclaimer that you never saw me, or Flint?
Here is your disclaimer. I saw nothing. Heard nothing.
Now, I shall visit the East Cliff, the Abbey and the churchyard – such eerie, atmospheric places that the Count frequented on his nocturnal wanderings. I shall be fearless, walk with the creatures of the night, listen to the baying of the dogs and be watchful for the flapping of wings…
Dark Avenging Angel is available for pre-order from:
About the author:
Following a varied career in sales, advertising and career guidance, Cat is now the full time author of a number of paranormal, ghostly and Gothic horror novels, novellas and short stories. She was the 2013 joint winner of the Samhain Gothic Horror Anthology Competition, with Linden Manor, which features in the anthology What Waits In The Shadows. Her novels, The Pendle Curse and Saving Grace Devine are also published by Samhain. Her novella – Dark Avenging Angel – is published on August 4th and her next novel – The Devil’s Serenade – will be released in April 2016.
You can connect with Cat here:
Furious Unravelings 
Thank you for once again graciously inviting me to join you, Milady. I have enjoyed a most excellent visit
My dear Milady, as EVER, it was lovely to see you . I hope you didn’t mind your hat.
Actually, I think it suits me!
Do you know that was the third one I tried on you!
The problem with me and hats is that I just can’t keep them on my head. Five minutes and they blow right off – even when there’s no breeze. You must have used an extra large hatpin!
My goodness Milady. Was this why I tried 3 all told ?
i count myself lucky it was only three. My head feels like a pin cushion!
Well, we shan’t enquire too closely re one of these hats….
Fabulous interview, Miladies. Almost makes me want to come to Whitby but the wings of the Count spread too wide. However, I shall just pocket that fetching jet bauble before I leave …..
Milady Kate, how lovely to see you, even if I do now seem to be missing something………
Lovely to see you, Milady Kate, but oh dear! If you have acquired Milady Fury’s jet, I fear for the consequences!
A mere bagatelle, worth naught. She will not dare risk her skinny neck for it.
Well I wouldn’t be so sure, Milady Kate. She has a fearful temper on her when she gets all riled up!
Hah!
Ahh, is this Hah, or Pah? And a skinny neck good Milady Kate if better than a wrung one……
It’s a Hah! and a Pah! With a snap of the fingers to boot.
Huh! Puh!
Now, now, ladies, decorum please – and Milady Fury, you really shouldn’t do that with a string of garlic, you could do Milady Kate some serious damage. Oh…I see you already did. Is there a doctor in the house?
Moi? Belt Milady Kate with a garlic string… PAH
Well…it looks awfully sore and I’m sure it shouldn’t be red like that – or so swollen…
Milady Catherine I would not dream of smacking Milady Furnivall
I have been lying down for hours in a darkened room. Ice applied to said swelling. Sharpening the metal tip of my retucule ….
reticule ….. a slip of my finger in the dark.
Oh the bitter calumny….. That is bitter not better