More from my Regency Christmas story, A Kiss Beneath the Mistletoe.
Jenny and the other young people at her aunt’s Christmas house party are out in the woods cutting greenery for decorations. They spy a mistletoe ball high in a tree and begin to play a game of running beneath the mistletoe. The forfeit for being caught ~ a kiss. Jenny wants to outrun Lord Somersby and avoid his kiss. Or does she?
Today’s snippet follows immediately after last week’s.
A sharp movement to her side drew her attention to Alec, standing beside Celinda. He’d crossed his arms over his chest, his face puckered into a frown that somehow bespoke not only anger but sadness.
Somersby’s arms came up to snare her.
She broke her gaze from Alec, ducked under the earl’s outstretched arm, and spun around him. A glimpse of his wide, astonished eyes when he whirled, clutching at the air where she had just been, spurred Jenny on as she shot across the clearing.
Somersby swore under his breath and chased after her, but she arrived on the far side a good three steps ahead of him. The crowd cheered as he came puffing up beside her, a thundercloud of annoyance distorting his face. “My compliments, Miss Crowley, on making me look the fool.”
“It is a woman’s prerogative to change her mind, is it not, Lord Somersby?” Jenny tossed her head, the glow from her exertion and the sweet rush of victory sending satisfaction humming through her.
A Kiss Beneath the Mistletoe is available at Amazon .
Other Books in the Handful of Hearts series:
Blurb:
Is one kiss ever enough?
Jenny Crowley has been duped! At her eighteenth birthday celebration her parents announce that instead of having the London Season she’s dreamed of for years, Jenny has been betrothed from birth to Alexander Isley, son of family friends and heir to a title. A distraught Jenny refuses point-blank to marry Alec, and when her aunt offers to whisk her away to a Christmas house party, complete with many eligible young bachelors, Jenny jumps at the chance to enjoy a variety of entertainments, be courted, and perhaps fall in love.
Alec Isley is between a rock and a hard place. He desires a marriage with Jenny no more than she does, but when his family’s dire financial status is revealed, he follows Jenny to the house party in hopes of convincing her to marry him after all. When he discovers who else is courting her there, Alec is frantic to keep her from making a dreadful mistake. Struggling with new-found feelings for his childhood friend, can Alec convince her of his love in time to save her from being ruined under the mistletoe?
And don’t forget to check out the rest of the Warriors here. There’s some fantastic snippets to be read.
Love her personality. Can’t wait to see who truly wins her heart!
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Hmm. He seems maybe a little too angry for her just ducking a kiss… She’s surrounded by some pretty intense men.
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The more she runs the harder they will chase her! Great scene!
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The tension between her attention to the two men really makes this scene come alive.
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How complicated life was when a single kiss meant a girl was as good as betrothed. Darn that mistletoe!
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2 men – interesting. Love the cover.
tweeted.
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Oh good for Jenny! I like the way this moment in time played itself out – great excerpt!
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Two men wanting her. Now that’s power. How will she wield it?
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Hmm, I wonder how much Alec had to do with her change in mind. Great snippet! 🙂
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Now, that is a good question, Jessica. She’s running away from her betrothal to him, but does he still have an influence?
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The best is yet to come. What a woman! You painted quite a wonderful scene.
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Thank you, Charmaine! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
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It was considerate of her to not let another man kiss her in front of Alec. But I doubt Somersby is giving up!
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Oh, you can bet he will not, Christina. He’s quite the determined beau.
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Ah, how much did Alec’s expression have to do with her change of mind?
Nonetheless a clever way to pique Somersby’s attention. I believe the term is ‘little minx’?
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That is the very question, Kim. Is Alec really a factor? And I love that word “minx!” Describes her perfectly in this scene!
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I like her feisty, determined spirit! It’ll doubtless be even sweeter and more exciting if she makes him earn a kiss instead of letting him have it so soon.
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Hard to get is always better in the long run, don’t you think? 🙂
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