The Harlequin Opal: A Romance. Vol. 1 (of 3)

A luminous stone, born in hidden caves and kissed by sea‑sprits, lies at the heart of this tale. Its shifting hues—gold for wealth, blue for health, green for sorrow, and the dreaded red for disaster—promise to mirror the fortunes of anyone who possesses it. The prologue weaves myth and mystery, hinting that the opal’s colors may guide the destinies of those drawn into its glow.

In Victorian London, Sir Philip Cassim clutches a faded promise written fifteen years ago, inviting his former schoolmates to reunite at his townhouse. As he prepares a modest feast, he ponders how time has reshaped each friend—engineer, physician, war correspondent, and wanderer—wondering whether the bonds of youth will survive the years apart. The stage is set for a gathering that may rekindle old camaraderie, stir hidden passions, and awaken the opal’s enigmatic influence.