Tempting angels

“So, you are Lizzybell the guardian angel!” he said in a low voice, and flashed her a sly wink.

She opened her mouth but did not know how to reply. Had he somehow overheard Mihaela talking to her on some occasions? She could not think of how that could possibly be true.

“How… did you know?” she asked in consternation.

“Because I am like you.” He raised his eyebrows with a smirk and continued, “PickyWickly, another fallen angel here, at your service!”

Upon hearing such a declaration, she nearly dropped her cup of tea. As she strove to gather her wits, she became most curious.

“How is that you know about me but I knew nothing about you?”

“Michael is an overworked Commissioner,” he said sweetly, “I provided him a few bottles of wine to help him relax.”

“You got him drunk!” she flashed with anger. Of course – another disappointing man. “Did he tell you other things about me?”

“Why such fire, my dear?” he continued, “Do relax. He only told me that you are a level-six guardian angel who fell to Earth sometime after I did. He did not disclose the identity of your ward, or what you have been doing with him or her. He said his angelic memory only allowed him to handle details of a case when he was talking with that particular fallen angel.”

It is lucky for me that Michael’s memory is thus limited, she reflected. I would not want this PickyWickly to know about what my ward and I had done.

“So then, who is your ward?” he asked.

“That, sir, is none of your business!”

“Now, now, I am only being friendly,” he said with a mischievous twinkle in his eye, “as we are two uniquely lonely souls on this lowly world.”

Given how handsome and charming he appeared, she believed she could have found in him a nice friend. But she was particularly wary of men at the moment, and so she proceeded carefully. “I do not wish to talk about myself, but you may tell me your story, if you are so inclined.”

“Of course, my sweet.” He smiled. “According to Michael, I am a level-seven angel.”

“The lowest …” she murmured thoughtfully.

“Yes, I know, I am the lowest kind,” he said with his hand on his heart, adopting an injured expression. “But I am different from you, for I am not a guardian angel.”

“There are other kinds of angels?”

“Indeed, just as Michael is a Lost Angel Commissioner.”

“Well, then, what is your duty?”

“I am a tempting angel,” he said proudly, “responsible for tempting men and women to commit sin.”

****

Well, do you believe in tempting angels? If yes, what do you think of their duties?

The above excerpt was adapted from my latest Regency novel Really Angelic: a steamy paranormal retelling of Pride and Prejudice. I’m delighted to offer a paperback copy of the book to ONE of you. Just tell me what you think by commenting below before 24 January 2010 EST and you will have a chance to win the book. Entry opens to worldwide readers. To read more about my books, you can visit SteamyDarcy.com

Thanks Kim and every one at Romance Junkies Blog for having me.

Enid Wilson from hot and beautiful Sydney, Australia