Rhys on What We're Writing: Georgie and the dangers of Africa

RHYS BOWEN: My next Royal Spyness book comes out in August and it's called LOVE AND DEATH AMONG THE CHEETAHS.  As you read it you will appreciate the play on words in this title. The book takes place in the part of Kenya known as the Happy Valley where British aristocrats lived a life of sex, drugs and rock-and-roll. Georgie and Darcy go there on their honeymoon and you can imagine how shocked Georgie would be at this sort of behavior.  Her great grandmother Queen Victoria certainly would not have been amused!

Georgie is entranced at such a wonderful honeymoon until she realizes that Darcy must have an ulterior motive for taking her there. Something is going on, beyond the debauchery. However it seems that all around there are dangers big and small, both human and animal. This scene is part of Georgie's introduction to the area:

I glanced around and realized I had come further than I intended. I could only just catch a glimpse of the house through the trees.

            “I should go back,” I told myself.

            I nearly jumped out of my skin when a deep voice right behind me said, “Don’t move. Don’t take another step.”

            I wanted to turn and see who was speaking, but I did as I was told and remained frozen.

            “Now slowly step backward,” said the voice, “And slightly to your left.”

            I took one step backward, then another until a pair of hands landed on my shoulders, making me jump again. This time I turned around and saw a large middle aged man with a weathered face and a strong jaw line looking down at me. In his youth he would have been extremely handsome. He was quite good looking still, a powerful man with deeply tanned skin and bright blue eyes. His sun-streaked  hair he wore rather long so that it curled over his collar. In spite of the cold he was wearing an open necked shirt.

            “You should look where you are walking and not take the forest lightly,” he said. “All sort of things live here that would love to kill you.”

“Was I in danger?” I asked. I scanned the trees, trying to spot a lurking lion or elephant but could see nothing.

“You really were,” he said. “One of the most deadly encounters you could have is right at your feet.”

He pointed to the forest floor. A foot or so ahead of me was a wide black ribbon and it was alive and moving.

“Siafu,” he said.

I peered at them. “Ants?”

“Driver ants. They can kill anything that is weak or can’t move. If you tripped and fell down they’d swarm all over you in seconds and even if you managed to run away their bite is extremely painful. In fact the soldier ants at the outside of the column bite and won’t let go. The Masai use them for sutures when they are gashed in the bush.”

I was still staring in fascination at the black moving ribbon of ants. Then I remembered my manners and turned to my rescuer. “Thank you so much. You obviously saved me from a nasty fate.”

“Glad to be of service,” he said. “Even though I should shoot you as a trespasser on my land.”

“Your land? Golly , I thought I was in Diddy’s back garden,” I said.

“Up here at the edge of the forest our estates merge,” he said. “We don’t put up fences. No point. The elephants would just knock them down.  You’re also lucky you didn’t meet an elephant, by the way.” He held out a large hand. “I’m Lord Cheriton. They call me Bwana around here. And you are?”

“Lady Georgiana Rannoch—I mean O’Mara,” I said. “I’m sorry, this has quite unnerved me. I’ve just got married. I keep forgetting.”

He laughed then. “Lady Georgiana. Of course. How delightful to meet you. My daughter mentioned you were on the same flight as they were. Come and have some breakfast.”

“I should get back,” I said. “. My husband will be worrying where I’ve got to.”

“Then let me escort you back,” he said. “You never know what other dangers might be

lurking Here, take my arm.”

I could hardly refuse although to be honest I wasn’t quite happy with the way he was looking at me. Rather like the big bad wolf when Little Red Riding hood stepped into the cottage. I half expected him to lick his lips.  Before I could take his arm he had slipped a hand around my waist. “What a delectable little creature you are,” he said. “I shall enjoy getting to know you better."

Will Georgie escape the amorous Lord Cheriton? Will there be worse encounters ahead? And as she puts to Darcy one night, "Exactly why are we here?"
Love and Death Among the Cheetahs is published August 6 and my crazy tour schedule is on my website. Maybe I'll be coming to a town near you. I hope so!. 
AND By the Way: Berkley are going to be having a big celebration for the tenth anniversary of the paperback release of HER ROYAL SPYNESS. Watch out for giveaways!