Welcome back to Sweet Saturday Sample!  All excerpts here are rated PG-13 or milder. Here’s another post from the second book in my House of Pleasure series, Only Marriage Will Do,  set in Georgian London.

I’m off the computer most of today, but I’ll be returning SSS posts this evening, so I’ll be sure to catch you up.

In Only Marriage Will Do, there seems to be a little mystery afoot.  Amiable has stepped in to rescue a damsel in distress and to his amazement the damsel–who he’s never seen before–is calling him husband and introducing him as the Earl of Manning (who, if you may recall, is Katarina’s brother from Only Scandal Will Do and a friend of Amiable’s).  Amiable is a tad confused,  but gamely carries on with the subterfuge.  He too is interested in why her suitor claims she is his wife and seeks a more thorough explanation.  St. Cyr has just asserted that Juliet is married to him and no one else.

After another slight altercation, St. Cyr leaves and Amiable comforts a distraught Juliet.  Finally, having found out that Katarina is not there, he is pressed into service of a different kind.

 “I will explain more in the carriage.”

“The carriage?”

“Yes, Captain Dawson.  I am going to press you into the role of knight in shining armor once more and beg you to escort Glynis and me to my friend, Lady Honoria Claypool’s home.  I am to stay with her for several days until my aunt arrives in town.  Then I will remove to her townhouse until Duncan returns.”  Juliet made a face.  “Aunt Phoebe is so difficult.  But I suppose everyone has some relative like that, don’t you think?  Glynis,” she called to a girl standing unobtrusively in a corner.  Amiable had not noticed her until now.  “Glynis, please get my light shawl.”  Juliet rescued her cap and stood stuffing her hair underneath it helter-skelter.  “And get your things too.  This gentleman is taking us to Lady Honoria’s.”

“Yes, my lady.”  The girl bobbed a curtsey then rushed out of the room. Juliet stood looking expectantly at Amiable.

After several moments he gathered his wits, scattered at the unexpected news of Katarina’s departure and the equally unanticipated request for escort.  He finally found his feet and bowed graciously to the young woman.  “Nothing would give me more pleasure than to escort you, Lady Juliet.”

Glynis returned and draped the golden silk shawl around her mistress’s shoulders.  “The carriage is ready, Captain Dawson,” Juliet said, raising her chin slightly.

“But of course, my lady.” Amiable offered his arm and felt an unexpected thrill chase down it when Juliet took it, firmly pressing her hand into the crook of his elbow.  They moved down the hallway and out of the front door, Glynis following behind. 

With mute appreciation, Amiable watched the fetching sight of Juliet disappearing into the black lacquer carriage with the team of matched grays, then sighed and assisted Glynis to sit on the box beside the driver.  He sent one swift look around the area, taking in the surroundings, not for any particular reason but because ten years in the army had taught him caution.  Danger lurked somewhere.  Whether inside or outside the carriage was yet to be determined.

And just what does Amiable mean by that?

Hope you enjoyed a little more of Only Marriage Will Do.  Stop by SSS tomorrow for more from Only Scandal Will Do.  And today be sure to click here to visit more Sweet Samples.