Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 8/02/20 A Matter of Pleasure ~ Wishful Thinking

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors!

 

Today’s snippet is from my just released short story, A Matter of Pleasure. This book is actually the Prologue to Only Pleasure Will Do and released yesterday as a promotion for that book. I’ll share an excerpt from it today and switch next Sunday to Only Pleasure Will Do. Today I’m traveling back from Memphis, and promise I’ll be visiting as we roll. 🙂

 

Here’s the new blurb for A Matter of Pleasure:

BLURB: 

While making inquiries at the notorious brothel the House of Pleasure regarding a kidnapping, Bow Street Runner Reginald Matthews ends up with more than just the information he seeks from Amorina Vestry, the house’s sensual madam.  Amorina’s manner reveals more than a passing interest in Matthews, which in turn leads to unforeseen consequences for them both.

Prologue to Only Pleasure Will Do, Book 5 of the House of Pleasure series.

EXCERPT:

Patience at an end, Reginald knocked a fourth time, harder, making the door jump on its hinges. At last, the bolt shot back and the door opened, revealing a woman—a very attractive woman, with a pale face and dark hair pleasingly disheveled, as though she’d just risen from her bed, which of course, she had. “May I see the owner of the house, please?”

“You see her now,” she said, opening the door wider, revealing a petite form clad in a bright scarlet silk wrapper that slipped down to reveal one delicate white shoulder. “I am Amorina Vestry, Mr. Matthews,” she frowned, squinting against the light, “whatever are you doing here at this hour of the day?”

The madam’s insinuation was clear, but he ignored it to ask, “You know who I am?”

“But of course I make it my business to know all my patrons—to some degree.”

Reginald gritted his teeth and snapped, “I have never patronized your establishment, madam.”

She stared at him, a flash of hunger in her eyes as she took him in from top to toe. “Perhaps it was just wishful thinking, then,”—the hunger disappeared as quickly as it had come—“but suffice it to say, I do know who you are, Mr. Matthews, now how may I help you?”

And now to finish the scene :

“I have a garment, a black cloak that was found near here several weeks ago,” he gestured to the folded material clasped beneath his arm, “but which has only now surfaced from the night watch. I’m trying to ascertain its owner, Madame Vestry. May I come in?” A bare flicker of interest—or alarm—crossed her face at the mention of a black cloak, and his lips curled into a smile. His instinct to try the House of Pleasure first this morning had been exactly right.

“Of course, Mr. Matthews. I’m always eager to assist the Runners with their investigations.” The woman’s tone was smooth, but insincere. She opened the door and let him in, her gaze once more ravishing him as he walked past her. Warmth began to build within him, in the most inconvenient of places.

A Matter of Pleasure is available on Amazon for only .99 and on Smashwords for free. Only Pleasure Will Do is available on Amazon for the pre-order price of  $2.99. The book reverts to its regular price of $4.99 on the day after Release Day, September 1. Grab yours while you can!

And don’t forget to check out the rest of the Warriors here. There’s some fantastic snippets to be read.