As the release date for my first full length historical romance draws closer and closer (May 10th to be precise) I suppose I should actually start spreading the word... And convincing people, starting with you, that you absolutely HAVE to read it! If you haven't yet added it to your Goodreads TBR list, just click right here. Super easy, right?
If you have a book review blog and you are interested in recieving an ARC of The Runaway Duchess (it will be in PDF format) send me an e-mail at jaeaton@mail.com -- all of the advanced reader copies will be sent out ten days before publication. I'll also be doing a few giveaways. If you're interested in hosting one of them, shoot me an e-mail as well! Heck, even if you just want to say 'HI!' you can e-mail.
But anyways, as promised by the title of this blog post, here is another excerpt from the novel. In this scene Charlotte is having afternoon tea with her fiancee, the yucky old Duke of Tarrow who she is being forced to marry against her will. Enjoy!
Excerpt from The Runaway Duchess
They
moved outside to the back lawn and sat across from each other at a wrought iron
table that was shaded by a large mulberry tree. Plucking a fallen leaf from the
ground, Charlotte
twirled it absently between her fingers while she discreetly studied her new
surroundings. Everything was manicured with ruthless precision. Not a single
blade of grass grew out of line. There were no flowers. Dark green hedges higher
than her head formed a barrier around the lawn, preventing anyone from looking
out or, Charlotte
thought with a shudder, stopping anyone from looking in. What monstrosities had
happened here in this stale, stagnant place? How long had the Duke’s wives
suffered in silence before they died? A chill ran down her spine as she
imagined them trapped here, like pretty birds in a cage, unable to break free.
She
jumped when she felt fingers close around her hand, and with a visible shudder
she tried to pull free of the Duke’s grasp but he held on, his fat, fleshy
fingers clinging with surprising strength to her wrist.
“You
have very soft skin,” he murmured as he skimmed his thumb across her knuckles
before his grip tightened, wringing a soft cry from Charlotte ’s lips.
She
had petted an iguana once. The lizard’s skin had been cold and dry, and even
though its tongue had flicked in and out and its beady eyes had followed her
every movement, she felt as though she were touching a dead thing. The Duke’s
flesh reminded her of the same, and the bile she had suppressed earlier upon
entering his house rose yet again. “Your Grace, I do not believe this is very
proper—”
“We
are engaged to be married,” he interrupted. “Surely a simple touch here…” – his
fingers began to inch their way up her arm – “…or there would not hurt
anything.”
His
cheeks flushing with color, the Duke heaved himself to his feet but remained on
his side of the table. “Impertinent wench,” he growled, his top lip curling. “You
would do well to address me with respect.”
“Why?
You are an old, lecherous man and if you were the last person on earth I would
not marry you. I will not marry you,”
she declared, driving the heel of her boot into the soft ground. The sound of
the Duke’s soft laughter set her teeth on edge, and she stared at him
incredulously. “What is so amusing about that? Did you not hear what I said? I
am not going to marry you! I refuse.” The moment the words were out of her
mouth she felt as though a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders, and
she sighed with relief. There would be no marriage. She should have put her
foot down – both literally and figuratively – weeks ago.
Still
chuckling under his breath, the Duke said, “You foolish, stupid girl. Did you
think it would be as easy as that? Did you think once I had you I would let you
go? No.” He shook his head. “No, once gained I do not let my possessions slip
through my fingers. You are mine. You belong to me.”
Available on Amazon May 10th!
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