Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors !
This week I’m continuing with A Countess of Convenience, book 1 of my new series, Captivating Countesses, which released at the end of March!
BLURB:
Following a tragic accident, an unconscious Judith Harper is returned to her childhood home to die. Miraculously, she awakens but to a horribly changed world in which she finds her husband dead and her world upended.
Judith must regain her strength, not only to reclaim her life but also to right a terrible wrong–a feat which may require her to marry again, and quickly. But not only is Judith not ready for another husband, a marriage before her year of mourning is up will ruin her in London society.
Still, if she hopes to have her life back, she may have to risk the scandal and make a marriage of convenience…but to whom?
John, Lord Haxby has loved Judith since childhood, and because of that he stood aside while she married another eight years ago. Now she is free of her odious husband, he hopes he can persuade her that he is the only man who can make her truly happy. However, he discovers Judith is more than interested in Lord Farringdon, the man who saved her life. Can he stand aside once more and watch the love of his life make a grave mistake, or will he step up and show the woman he loves he is not a convenient solution to her problem, but the perfect one?
I’ve continued on from last week’s snippet. Judith and John are traveling to London, using two of the housemaids as chaperones for Judith. Earlier in this scene, Judith asked John a very leading question, but they left it without an answer. Now, after she’s gone to bed, Judith is feeling guilty that she teased John. So she’s gone out to his room, in just her night gown, to talk to him. As she’s knocking, someone comes into the corridor. John whisks her into his room. I’ve skipped a couple of paragraphs. We are in John’s POV.
EXCERPT:
The white garment that he had rightly deemed a nightgown, and which on another woman would’ve been unremarkable, seemed almost indecent on Judith. The rounded neckline showed the tops of her breasts, unfettered by a corset, and through the thin cotton material, he could see a hint of her darker nipples.
John swallowed hard and licked his lips, parched even though he’d just taken a large swallow of brandy.
Her hips swelled where she sat in the chair, her gown lying bunched between her legs, outlining the shape of her thighs…bringing to mind what lay beneath that thin fabric at their apex and John had to suppress a groan. Thank goodness the garment flowed over her legs so he could see no further—until he came to her bare ankles and small feet. All the brandy in the world would not erase the sight of her thus. “Judith,” his voice seemed to come from a long way away, “why have you come here?”
“To apologize to you, John.”
Perhaps his faculties had gone missing. “Apologize for what, my dear?”
And a little more for good measure…
“For…for…” Judith seldom had trouble expressing herself. The transgression of which she spoke, therefore, must be grave indeed to bring out a stammer. “For teasing you earlier.”
Of all the things that might’ve come from her lips, those words were the last ones he’d have imagined. “Teasing me?”
“When I asked if there was something I could do for you.” Her voice had dropped so he could scarcely hear her.
“Ah.” As if the fire suddenly blazed anew, sweat popped out on John’s brow and his cock surged forward as if eager to answer the question. “I believe I take your meaning. Think nothing of it, my dear.”
By God, he wished he could think of anything else. Her low, sultry voice, coupled with the image of her seated in that chair, now seared on the inside of his eyelids, wreaked havoc in his breeches.
And she doesn’t even realize she is teasing him still. Loved the scene!
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Does she even realize she’s NOT helping their situation right now? Great snippet.
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Maybe yes, maybe no. And maybe she has another agenda in this “apology.” 🙂 Thank you, E.D.
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That was just delicious from start to finish.
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Thank you, Elaine!
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Interesting dynamics going on here. Hasn’t it occurred to her that coming to his room in a translucent nightgown is another form of teasing? Unless . . . unless she *wants* him to take the unsubtle hint?
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You’ll just have to read on, Ed, to see if that is the case. 🙂 (Oh, was that teasing? LOL)
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The book’s in my TBR stack, so I’ll find out eventually.
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Is it hot in here or just me??? Wow. What a scene.
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🙂 Thank you, Diane! I’d say they needed to crank down the AC, if they had AC in the 18th century. LOL
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Good thing the ceiling fan is whirling in this room. lol.
Great scene!
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LOL! Thank you, Teresa! You make me smile. 🙂
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Wow! Interesting how she’s apologizing for teasing him, yet is doing so 10x more right now. Great snippet!
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I think deep down she really wants for something to happen–despite the consequences. The question is, will it? Thanks so much, Jessica!
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(Fans self) I can feel the uh warmth from here! Poor John. She certainly is an innocent for being a widow…He’s doing a good job at controlling himself though. Great snippet!
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Thank you, Veronica! Well, she’s pretty well focused on being contrite at the moment. That may change, however. 🙂
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*reads a second time* *fans self* Ahem. Hello. Um…what were we talking about again? 😀 Delicious, delightful, and I can’t wait for more!
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LOL! Thanks so much, Julie. I hope that’s most readers’ reaction! 🙂
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She was married so surely she must see what she is physically doing to poor John! I’m almost half way through reading, and thoroughly enjoying this story!
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Thank you so much, Sandy! I’m so glad you’re enjoying it so much! And even though she was married, at this moment, she’s so intent on her motivation and needs she can’t really see what she’s doing to him!
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My! You certainly have him squirming!
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I do, Nancy, and more yet to come! 🙂
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Snicker – a certain body part wanted to answer her question.
Tweeted.
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Indeed it does! 🙂 Thanks, Daryl!
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Whoooo . . .Methinks John is feeling hot under the collar. Does Judith even know what she is doing to him? Nope, nada.
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No, I agree. I think she’s too focused on her own concerns to see what her presence is doing to him. 🙂
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