Beyond Midnight, from best-selling author Ellen Dean, is the second book in the Hyacinth Dickinson Series. Two years on from a tragic helicopter crash charismatic Dr. Hyacinth Dickinson, world renowned gynaecologist/obstetrician and Mistress of the Amethyst Coven, is out for revenge.
Those who betrayed her must pay, including the beautiful Sofia Roberto-Sabatini, who is in line to be a Mafia Don.
Sofia has a rare blue diamond, knowledge that is supposed to be secret. But, secrets have a way of leaking. Hyacinth is determined to possess that diamond by fair means or foul. If magic needs to be used, then so be it.
But things don't always go according to plan. Hyacinth has enemies who want the diamond as badly as she does, and so the chase begins. The two women end up running for their lives.
Will they survive? Will love conquer all?
Excerpt
In the warm kitchen of The Old Manse, her Scottish Highland home, Doctor Hyacinth Dickinson, wearing her purple housecoat, prepared to scry. She reached up to lift the special crystal bowl out of the cupboard and glanced out of the window across the valley beyond the woodlands to the Cairngorm Mountains and a clear blue sky. It's a long time since you've done this, she told herself, just concentrate and it will work.
She splashed fresh spring water into the bowl. The atmosphere stilled as she cupped the bowl in her hands and gazed at the water. Her Mediterranean Blue eyes reflected back, then widened in horror as the water became alive showing blizzard images of a helicopter swirling out of control before crashing against the storm swept mountain side. She screamed. The bowl slipped from her fingers shattering on the tiled floor. Two sleeping Rottweilers leapt from their beds, hackles raised, barking, ready to protect her.
Dorothy, her long time friend and mentor, dashed through the doorway. 'What's happened?' Seeing the shards of crystal on the floor Dorothy shooed both dogs to the safety of the boot room.
White faced, rooted to the spot, Hyacinth spoke. 'I was scrying. I saw the helicopter crash and,' she gulped for air, 'Steph's body lying in the snow: limp, broken.' She started to cry. 'It was my fault, Dorothy. I killed her.'
Dorothy crossed the kitchen, wrapped H in her arms. 'It wasn't your fault. This is no good, dear. This recrimination has got to stop. Steph chose to go with you. You didn't force her.'
'I didn't give her much choice.' H shuddered, ran her hands through her long blonde hair.
'You gave her every choice,' Dorothy hugged her tighter. 'It's two years since the crash. I'm worried about you, you seem to be getting worse, not better.' Dorothy took hold of Hyacinth's shoulders. 'You won't like this but I'm going to say it anyway,' she hesitated, 'I think you need counselling.'
'Counselling!' Horrified Hyacinth pulled back, but Dorothy's words brought her to the present. 'Get me some of your medicine,' she pointed to a solid oak bureau in the corner of the kitchen, 'it's all I need. There's some in the top drawer.'
'You should have been taking it before now,' Dorothy scolded as she pulled open the drawer and reached inside. Instead of finding a glass bottle her fingers settled on a plastic pot. Picking it up she shook the pot at Hyacinth. Pills rattled inside. 'What are these?'
'Anti-depressants.' H answered. There was no point in lying. Dorothy knew her inside out. This powerful white witch had taught her the old ways; been the mother she'd always longed for. Hyacinth would never disrespect her.
'Where did you get these?' Dorothy was stunned. 'You've not left the house since you arrived here.'
'Don't ask.' Hyacinth frowned.
'Stolen?'
'Borrowed.'
'Do you want the police sniffing around again?' Dorothy's face darkened. 'What's happened to my beautiful strong Hyacinth…the girl I took under my wing and was both mother and father to? The girl who can read minds, control events; the most powerful witch I know?'
'I have no answers, Dorothy,' Hyacinth dropped onto a kitchen chair. Dorothy sat opposite her. H reached across the table to hold both of her precious friends hands. 'I'm lost. I don't know which way to turn, what to do. But I know I would not be who I am if it were not for you.'
Dorothy gripped the younger woman's hands. 'I've loved you since the first moment I saw you when you came to boarding school. Oh how you hated it. You were out of control, but I could see the real you. You are the daughter I never had.'
'I love you too.'
'Listen to me. You are the most beautiful and beguiling woman on the planet; both men and women want you. Some even want to be you. You are rich beyond dreams and you can be, do, and have anything you want. That aside, most people would die to have your talent.' Hyacinth straightened her posture, looked at Dorothy. 'You are a clever witch with a devoted coven you are neglecting. With them, you ran one of the most successful diamond smuggling operations in the world. Damn it girl, you were so successful the mafia stepped in and forced you to close it down. You did the right thing. You did nothing wrong.'
'Apart from kidnapping Beth.'
'Well, nobody's perfect,' Dorothy smirked, nodded her head. 'You knew the type of relationship you wanted with her would never work. I know Beth isn't the reason for how you feel, and I know the pair of you have a secret connection no-one can break,' H nodded. 'You have suffered betrayal from the only other person you trusted and that, my dearest girl, is the bitterest pill to swallow. Penny Corday has a lot to answer for, she caused such grief!' Dorothy frowned. 'Her stupidity could have got you all killed. She should have trusted you.'
'But she didn't.' H sighed and watched Dorothy get up, go to the Aga and make tea. How many years had this woman been her guardian angel; her family? More than she cared to remember. Dorothy had aged beautifully although her once brown hair was now silver and she carried a few extra pounds, yet it suited her. One of the strongest people H had ever met, mentally and physically, she'd taught H every bit of white magic she knew and discovered H's unique ability of remote viewing. H almost laughed out loud recalling the first time she probed Dotty's mind. It was pathetically clumsy: poor Dotty had suffered migraine for days, but now she could glide through any mind like a butterfly not leaving a trace or the slightest awareness of her probing.
She loved Dorothy who gave her wise advice she sometimes didn't take. It felt good to be talking today, to bring the situation out in the open.
'You have a conscience about Steph's accident.' Dorothy sat, passed her a steaming mug of tea. 'Shows you're human.'
H frowned. 'I hate myself.'
'Time to move on. If you don't then her ladyship has won.'
'You've got a point.'
'No-one has ever beaten you; except one time at boarding school.'
'My God, I'd forgotten,' H laughed as the memory of dunking the school bully's head down the toilet came back to her, 'but I got my revenge. And a new special friend.'
'Yes, revenge is exactly what you got.' Dorothy agreed. 'Do you remember what I said to you afterwards?'
H thought for a moment. 'Yes. Your exact words were: "revenge is sweet". I've lived by those words, except for the past two years.'
'Exactly. It's time for you to refocus. Revenge IS sweet.'
They sat in companionable silence until Dorothy got up to brew fresh tea.
H felt brighter, lighter. It showed in her demeanour. 'Penny is due out of prison soon,' she said.
'Spend some time deciding what her fate should be after she's released,' Dorothy smiled as she took hold of Hyacinth's hand, 'it will make you feel better.'
'You know me so well,' H said. 'The treacherous bitch has been on my mind for some days now.'
'Glad to hear it,' Dorothy nodded her head. 'Betrayal carries a high price. Make a plan.'
'Believe me I have a plan.'
'Good.' Dorothy set down the mug, spread her hands. 'I think you should consider returning to work. Your expertise is needed: mothers and babies are out there waiting for you,' she tapped her fingers on the table to emphasize her words, 'and get rid of those tablets,' Dorothy looked squarely at Hyacinth.
'You're right. Always so wise. Thank God I don't need to worry about the Carlisle Mother and Baby Clinic. It's in good hands with Daphne.' H sipped her tea. 'I don't need to be there. She keeps me up to date, runs the clinic as if it's her own.' She sat back in the chair. 'I might take a holiday first.'
Dorothy smiled her approval, 'That's a good idea.'
H allowed her mind to become fully active for the first time in months. 'The trouble started in Carlisle. We were finished for the day when an unexpected visitor called; a woman. We thought she was representing a charity so I asked Daphne to show her in. It was Sofia bringing me Don Roberto's message. I remember her smell. It drifted in with her when she walked into my office and it's never left me.'
'Expensive perfume?'
'A fragrance I hadn't come across before—or since, and she had that natural elegance of someone who knows how to dress. Short dark hair, deep brown eyes. A stunner with style.' H dropped a kiss on Dorothy's head. 'Thank you. You always show me the right path. I've lots to think about now, and plans to make. I'll throw those tablets in the bin—tomorrow.'
'Make sure you do. Do not get addicted to anti-depressants. I have all the natural medication you need.'
'Yes, mother.' Hyacinth got up, hugged Dorothy, swept up the shattered crystal, poured malt whisky into tumblers. Her thoughts buzzing.
She returned to sit opposite Dorothy looking so vibrant, so alive, she glowed. Pushing one of the tumblers towards her old friend, the smile playing on her lips told Dorothy she was back. 'To us, Dotty.' Crystal clinked against crystal. 'Revenge will be sweet: beautiful, bloody revenge.' Hyacinth's blue eyes flashed. 'I've not been myself but it is time—I have scores to settle.' The women clinked glasses again, then spoke as one. 'To the future.'
Professional Reviews
Beyond Midnight
If you fancy a great book to read full of intrigue and romance, then look no further! Brilliantly captivating. Murder, mystery, diamond smuggling, remote viewing and lots of loving. You won't be disappointed! Absolutely loved it! So good I didn't want it to end! Hyacinth really getting a into her stride again in this book. Hoping there might be a further book to follow on. I liked the way the book was effortless to read and has left us longing for the next installment. All in all a delightful read. Jz's
Great sequel
Oh what a sequel. When it first started I was a little disappointed but that disappointment soon disappeared. This novel was very entertaining and very enjoyable. In this story we learn about the continuing life of Hyacinth, Beth and Lou and the thing or someone who will keep them connected. If you have never read Ellen Dean you are missing out.
What an amazing book
Enticing and thrilling. What an amazing book. A must read not only a romance but a thriller that keeps you on your toes!
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