Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 11/07/21 ~ The Widow Wore Plaid ~ “Can I Speak With You?”

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors !

This week I’m beginning snippets from my upcoming historical romance, The Widow Wore Plaid. It’s the sixth and final book of The Widows’ Club series and I’m truly very excited to share it with you.

 

BLURB:

The Battle of Waterloo made them widows, but each has found new happiness. And Jane, Lady John Tarkington, intends to keep her freedom, even if love—and one particular gentleman—are determined to claim her heart  . . .

It is a truth rarely acknowledged—at least in public—that a wealthy widow is free to pursue a great many adventures. For two years, Jane has privately enjoyed her independence. Why should she remarry, even when the gentleman proposing is as wonderful as Gareth, Lord Kinellan? She entreats him never to ask her again. But as her Widows’ Club friends—now all joyfully remarried—gather at Castle Kinellan, Jane begins to wonder if stubbornness has led her to make a terrible mistake . . .

Kinellan needs a wife to give him an heir, and he wants that wife to be Jane. They are perfect together in every way, yet she continually refuses him. Just as he is on the point of convincing her, a series of accidents befall Gareth and point to an enemy in their midst. He has promised Jane a passionate future filled with devotion, but can he keep them both alive long enough to secure it?

I’m starting my snippets toward the end of Chapter 2. Gareth, Marquess of Kinellan has just finished dancing with Jane, Lady John Tarkington, with whom his is deeply in love. Jane loves him as well, but is wary of giving up the independence of widowhood, even for this man she loves. As the snippet begins, they have just finished a fast-paced Scottish dance.

EXCERPT:

Laughing, Jane allowed herself to be pulled into the corridor and led through narrow passageways until Kinellan pushed open a door and suddenly there was cool air and moonlight. They emerged into the quietness of the formal garden, Jane still gasping for air. He led her to a crescent-shaped stone bench and assisted her to sit.

“Can I speak with you for a moment?”

His words would have thrilled her had his tone not filled her with apprehension. The serious note in it made her clutch the sapphire pendant at her throat. Dear Lord, what was he about to say? Would he ask her to marry him once more, breaking his vow not to do so, or would he ask her to leave the castle? Gathering her strength, she took his hand and tried to smile. “What is it, Kinellan?”

 

And a little more for good measure…

“Jane, I have tried to abide by your wishes as you asked me to do in May. I have not renewed my offer to you, in the hope that through my deeds you would see my sincere appreciation for you as both a woman and a partner.” His voice was gentle, soothing. Lethal. “I had hoped you would indicate to me in some manner that you were ready to allow me once again to pay my addresses to you, but I have seen nothing to offer me hope that such a change of heart has occurred.”

Mouth dry, throat as though she’d poured sand down it, Jane could only sputter, shaking her head to stop the words before he ended their association for all time.

“Jane, I think it best if—”

“My lord.”

They both jumped, Jane starting so badly she shook.

I had the official cover reveal last week and announced a Rafflecopter giveaway to celebrate the reveal and the upcoming release. And as the novel is set in Scotland, I’m giving away a little piece of the Scottish Highlands! A souvenir plot, to be exact, that entitles the owner to be styled Lord or Lady of Glencoe, Scotland! To enter the giveaway, just click this link and follow the Rafflecopter instructions.

 

Additionally,  my upcoming contemporary Christmas novella, The Present, is on pre-order on Amazon, part of a Christmas series called Christmas on the Side. It will release on November 23rd. You can go check it out here.

 

On November 11, the Nine Ladies Dancing anthology of Christmas novellas will release. My Christmas novella, It Happened at Christmas will be part of that anthology, so you should check it out! I’ll give you the link as soon as I get it.

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

The Widows’ Club series