A Regency Romance Family Favorite! New Price!
A NOBLE DILEMMA
Author: Susanne Marie Knight
Genre: Regency
Available electronically at Amazon.com
and Smashwords.com
Price: $2.99
Buy link:
Available
electronically at:
Blurb:
WHAT WOULD JANE AUSTEN DO??
After Bethany's elderly aunt
dies, she is left without a home. When a distant relation, the Earl of
Ingraham, offers her a London Season, it would seem to be the answer to her
dilemma.
But Bethany has no interest
in attracting an eligible suitor. She has other plans for her future. Her dream
is to support herself by writing a novel, following in the footsteps of her
favorite author. However, literary ladies are frowned upon, not only by Society
but by the Earl, who is smitten with Bethany's beauty and character. Fretting
about her guilty secret, she agrees to further intrigue by acting as secretary
to one of the royal dukes. Will Bethany give up her chance for true love to
continue her writing career? Or, will the Earl find a way to solve this noble
dilemma?
Scene Set-Up:
Bethany arrives at her
benefactress’ house, the Countess of Ingraham, but meets the Earl of Ingraham
instead.
Excerpt:
The enameled door opened and
in stepped the most handsome gentleman Bethany had ever laid eyes on. He was
tall, so tall she had to lift her gaze to take in the length of him. His dark
hair hung in tousled curls on his forehead while his long sideburns edged the
line of his cheekbone. Dressed in a dashing woolen jacket, nankeen breeches and
leather Hessian boots, he appeared as if he'd just entered the townhouse from
an afternoon stroll.
And speaking of eyes, she
couldn't discern the color of his. His eyes widened at the sight of her. Then
he frowned.
She quickly stood and
curtsied.
The young man hesitated for
a second, and then bowed. "Good afternoon, Miss Branford. I trust you
enjoyed a pleasant journey."
"Thank you, sir. I
did."
After she spoke, silence
hung in the air and he seemed loath to break it. The man flicked his gaze over
her, adjusted the cuffs on his jacket and paced along the ornate side table,
all at the same time. He certainly wasn't inclined toward conversation.
She tilted her head. Surely
this young man could not be the earl. But whomever he was, his manner left a
good deal to be desired.
"Excuse me, sir, but
you have me at a disadvantage." She kept her voice level and cool. "I
am quite unaware of your identity."
He stopped and lifted an eyebrow.
"Indeed?" He made
another small bow. "My apologies. I am David Greyle. Lady Petunia is my
sister."
As if that explained
everything, he settled into a tub-shaped chair situated across from her and
seemed intent on keeping his gaze upon her person, all the while drumming his
fingers against the armrest.
Bethany struggled to recall,
but no knowledge of a Lady Petunia nor David Greyle entered her brain.
"Forgive me, sir, but I'm not acquainted with Lady Petunia. Perhaps I am
in the wrong house. I was invited by the Countess of Ingraham to visit--"
"To be sure, there has
been no mistake." He waved a negligent hand. "I am the Earl."
She blinked rapidly. She'd
never met Lady Ingraham either, but if the woman had a married daughter as
Elsie the maid had said, surely this man was too young to be the father. He
could not be above thirty. Did that mean the Countess and the Earl's marriage
was a January and May connection?
How romantic! She looked at
Lord Ingraham with new awareness. Her heart beat faster. He was such a handsome
young man with commanding eyes, determined chin and a fine masculine form.
A more tedious thought
intruded. Then again, perhaps he only married for money in order to refurbish
an impoverished estate.
How very prosaic. She looked
down her nose at him. After all, he was rather ill-mannered.
Lord Ingraham jumped up,
causing the tassels on his Hessian boots to swing with the violence of his act.
"Tea. Would you care for some?" He didn't wait for her reply, but
instead walked to the door. "I will have Stevens see to it."
Without a backward glance at
her, he left her alone in the drawing room.
How extraordinary. What a
very odd man. And what an inauspicious beginning to my visit.
She bit her lip. Oh, I
hope Lady Ingraham is more hospitable.
Bethany tucked a stray lock
back into her chignon, folded her hands in her lap, and waited for the edgy
earl's return.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hope you enjoy!
Susanne Marie Knight
Read outside the box:
award-winning Romance Writing With A Twist!
0 comments:
Post a Comment