Theres only one way for Kerri Maniscalcos best-sellingStalking Jack the Ripper quartetto end:Capturing the Devil.
EW can exclusively reveal the official cover forCapturing the Devil, as well as an entire excerpt.
But like London, the city of Chicago hides its dark secrets well.
Credit: Kerri Maniscalco
Thats the big question.
For clues, check out EWs exclusive preview below.Capturing the Devilpublishes Sept. 10, and isavailable for pre-order.
The aching chills refused to leave.
Jimmy Patterson Books
Whether that was true or not, it smelled divine.
I must learn to pace myself or suffer the consequences.
Even while relaxing I couldnt escape such horrors.
I closed my eyes, trying to erase images of the most recent mutilated corpse from my mind.
It was an unfair worldone that showed no mercy for those who needed it the most.
So much for stealing a few restorative moments alone.
Soon enough, footsteps approached and I wished a thousand unpleasantries upon the intruder.
I crossed my arms in a feeble attempt at modesty.
Have you lost your senses?
If I hadnt before, I certainly have now.
He blinked slowly, trying and failing not to stare at me in the tub.
He didnt have the courtesy to even blushhe looked positively dumbstruck.
As if hed never encountered a body without clothing before.
Perhaps just not one with a still-beating heart.
Id be flattered by his obvious response if I wasnt so flustered.
If my aunt or father sees you in here
Its all right.
He shook himself from his stupor and knelt beside me, a small devilish smile playing on his lips.
That is, if youll still have me?
Forsaking propriety, I almost leapt from the water into his arms, stopping myself at the last moment.
I cant believe you kept that from me all afternoon!
I sat back and his focus shifted to where my bare shoulders met the water.
His gaze darkened in a dangerously seductive manner, awakening a growing need in me.
At least be a gentleman and turn around.
Excitement thrummed through my veins.
As a properly engaged couple, were permitted a few more liberties.
For instance, we might spend time alone, behind closed doors.
He purposely scanned the bathing chamber, nodding toward the door.
Seems a shame to let those liberties go to waste.
The scoundrel had the unmitigatedgallto indicate joining me in the bath.
I found the idea of bathing together to beI splashed water onto my face.
When I looked at him again, I noticed a slight furrow in his brow.
Was there something else?
Other than informing you that were finally, truly, engaged, dear fiancee?
I nodded, the word sending a little thrill through me.
My sister arrived bearing gifts.
She and Ileana arrived shortly after supper.
He ran his thumb over the velvet pouch, seemingly lost in another place and time.
He sounded so sad, my heart nearly broke.
I motioned to the little pouch, wanting to drag him from his despair.
Thats the strangest letter Ive ever seen.
He glanced up through thick lashes, humor flickering in his eyes before he looked away.
Instead of being terrified of her imminent death and thinking only of darkness, my mother wrote us letters.
She wouldnt survive to see either of us married, but… he shook his head, swallowed hard.
His emotions were on full display, unlike earlier during the autopsy when hed seemed so cold and remote.
She wrote one for me to read upon my engagement.
Are you all right?
A single tear slipped down his cheek as he nodded.
Id forgotten, almost, what it was like.
Listening to my mothers advice.
The soft accent that was never quite British or Romanian, but somewhere in between.
There isnt a day that passes where I dont wish for another moment with her.
Id hoard it away forever, knowing how precious it was.
I gently squeezed his hand.
In this most unfortunate circumstance, we understood each other too well.
I missed my own mother terribly.
Her absencealong with Thomass mothersplayed a large role in our second request to my father.
I hope hed consented to that as well.
It is a gift, having her letters to look forward to, I said.
Theyre invaluable little mementosproof that some things are truly immortal.
Thomas swiped at his nose, smiling, though his expression was still too despondent for my liking.
Beyond life, beyond death.
My love for thee is eternal.
Was it in the letter?
Its how I feel about you.
I swore my heart stuttered a moment.
The young man who London claimed was nothing more than a cold automaton had created poetry.
Thomas quickly opened the velvet pouch, tipping its contents onto his palm.
A ring with a large crimson jewel lay there like the deepest drop of spilled merlot or crystallized blood.
I gasped as he held it up to the light.
The unblemished stone was quite literally breathtaking.
Red diamonds are the rarest in the world.
He turned it one way then the next, showing off its magnificence.
I couldnt stop staring at it.
At this admission, he blushed.
She would have welcomed you as her daughter.
He took my left hand in his, his gaze now locked onto mine.
All teasing and shyness had vanished.
I knew him well enough to realize how serious hed become, how important these next words would be.
I remained still, as if one unexpected movement might frighten him away.
This ring is a gift from my mother, passed along from her mother and so on.
It was once owned by Vlad Dracula.
Without breaking my stare, he nodded toward the jewel.
Gooseflesh rose along my arms, catching his attention.
Ill understand if youd rather have another diamond.
My family legacy is rather
Majestic and incredible.
I cupped his face, noticing a slight tremor go through him.
I didnt think it had anything to do with the bathwater.
Thomas Cresswell still didnt believe he was worthy of love.
That his lineage was some sort of dark curse.
I thought hed banished his doubts by the end of our voyage here.
Some monsters were harder to slay, it seemed.
Id gotten chills because I was honored hed share his deepest fears with me.
With this blood-red diamond, he was giving me another piece of his heart.
It was a gift rarer and more precious than the stone he wished to place upon my finger.
I will wear it proudly and cherish it forever.
It fit like it was always meant to be mine.
I love you, Audrey Rose.
Without prompting, I placed my other arm around him.
Thomass body was both a shield and comfort as he pressed it firmly against me.
I loveyou, Thomas.
When we kissed, I swore the earth shook and the stars burned brighter.
Heat shot through me at the unexpected but welcome contact.
Are you quite mad?
Im not wearing any clothes!
I whispered, laughing as he dunked under the water, then shook his head like a dog.
My aunt will die from the scandal!
Then we ought to be very quiet.
I traced a finger down to his collar, teasing the first button open.
I suddenly wanted to see more of him, Ineededto.
I tugged his jacket off, leaving his shirt on, though it might as well have been off.
Soaked through, it left little to the imagination.
A faint image bled through the fabric.
He glanced down as if he hadnt a clue, then shrugged.
He unbuttoned the first few buttons and pulled his shirt open, revealing a tattoo.
Theyd become quite popular with the upper class, but I hadnt thought hed be interested in such fads.
Not that I minded.
It was…tantalizing.
He watched me, his attention intent and focused, while I inspected it.
A skull and rose?
What does it mean?
Oh, lots of things.
He drew back, exhaling, a self-satisfied smile in place.
Mostly its a study in contrasts; light and dark, death and life, decay and beauty.
His expression turned thoughtful.
To me it also symbolizes good and evil.
Placing it on my heart proves love conquers everything.
Naturally I needed a rose on my body forever, too.
He kissed me, slow and sensuous, as if to confirm I didnt misinterpret his innuendo.
When you saw Prince Nicolaes tattoos you seemed intrigued, so I deduced youd enjoy it.
I hope thats true.
I gave him a bemused look.
Youre free to ornament your body however youd like.
Truthfully, I thought itd be a good reason for you to take my shirt off.
Thomas enjoyed saying shocking things to gauge my response.
There was no reason I couldnt match him in that area.
Your deductions might not be as sharp as you think if you believe I lack motivation, Cresswell.
His jaw practically hit the floor.
Immensely satisfied, I bent my head, kissing the inked area above his heart.
With or without the rose tattoo as a permanent marking, Thomas Cresswell was mine.
When a small gasp escaped him, I covered his mouth with my own, claiming him fully.
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