NIGHTWOOD (lesbian historical fiction)Gothic, supernatural, horror-mystery set in the 1800's in England. Clarice Hart, hired as a governess, arrives at the ominous estate of NIGHTWOOD, where she confronts one eerie incident after another – from a strange meeting she witnesses between two of the servants on the night of her arrival, to a shocking death and madness. She is intrigued by a brooding woman she sees walking the cliffs by the sea and becomes privy to a bizarre secret hidden in one of the towers of the immense house. It seems as if almost all the residents of NIGHTWOOD carry a terrible, darkness within them. With each step she takes, Clarice draws nearer to not only the answers to NIGHTWOOD'S sinister mysteries but into an intricate plan controlled by an ancient, supernatural evil.EXCERPT: "I think evil exists at Nightwood." Velvet pronounced."There are certainly some things I don't understand at Nightwood." Clarice said. Perhaps that was what Velvet meant?Velvet's gaze returned to her. "What things do you understand, Clarice?"Clarice felt a stab of uncertainty. She really did not know Velvet very well at all, she reminded herself, despite their encounters these past few weeks, and an exchange of kisses. She had given Nerissa her word. Yet the matter of Dory continually gnawed at her."I…" Clarice paused. "I think there is someone in the tower room in the west wing." She spoke hurriedly, anxious to get it said and done with.As Velvet said nothing, Clarice found herself continuing: "I, well, I've seen Mrs. Ladley taking food trays into the west wing…and…" Clarice cleared her throat. "I know it is none of my concern, of course..but I…" She stopped speaking."My quarters are in the west wing." Velvet said.Now she must retreat or further tell what she knew, Clarice realized. "I, well, I followed Mrs. Ladley when I saw her going into the west wing, since it was my understanding it wasn't in use, and I saw her enter the door leading up into the tower, is that where your quarters are?" She asked, knowing full well they were not."No." Velvet said, looking steadily at Clarice. "Why do I feel you have more to tell me, my little governess?" There was a faint smile of amusement.She might as well confess, Clarice thought."Very well. I saw Mrs. Ladley take a key and open the door that leads up into the west tower, so I waited until she returned again and left the west wing, and then I took the key and unlocked the tower door.""And you went up into the tower? That was very brave of you or perhaps foolhardy, considering you did not know who or what you would find there." Velvet remarked. "I think you know who I found there." Clarice fixed an unblinking gaze on her companion.