Welcome back to Sweet Saturday Sample!  All excerpts here are rated PG-13 or milder. Here’s another post from my new WIP, my medieval trilogy Time Enough To Love.

Part 1 is called Betrothal and I’m so excited!  I’ve sent the revisions to the editor this week so I am still shooting for an early November release date, and I will keep you informed.

The series is set in England and France in 1348.  Betrothal takes place at the court of King Edward III.

This excerpt is UNEDITED.  Please be kind.

Lady Alyse de Courcy is a waiting gentlewoman to Princess Joanna, youngest daughter of King Edward.  After receiving the news that the new courtier, Sir Geoffrey Longford, is her betrothed, a dazed Alyse is less than happy with her arranged marriage.   I’m skipping ahead to the following night, at dinner, Geoffrey has drawn Alyse over to his table, hoping to talk to her in private.  He is met, however, with his group of friends, led by Thomas who think to make sport of the couple.  Thomas makes the suggestion (in jest) that Alyse should know him before she is wed.  Geoffrey, piqued that Alyse still shows an interest in his friend, gives her leave to answer the lewd statement. But when she acquits herself credibly in wordplay, she draws Geoffrey’s ire–and desire.

I’ve skipped ahead a little.  Alyse has manoevered around Geoffrey’s verbal landmines, and draws him out a little in conversation about their forthcoming departure for Spain.

This sample picks up immediately after last week’s.  Geoffrey has just been reassuring her that he holds no ill will against her for their journey to Spain.

 “You are more than kind, my lord. You do me honor to show such consideration to the cause of your distress.”

Geoffrey’s lips grazed the top of her head, and his arm slid from her shoulder to tighten around her waist. Shifting to accommodate their changed position, she reached around his waist in turn, and squeezed with a gentle grasp. At her movement, his whole body tensed as though trying to turn to stone. Alarmed, she pulled back and darted her gaze to his impassive face. “My lord? You are not pleased?”

More than a little wary, she waited while Geoffrey took a deep breath and his tension ebbed somewhat. His voice, however, sounded strained and husky to her ear.

“Nay, Lady Alyse. You please me very well.” He disengaged her arm from his waist and leaned back and away from her. “But as our marriage is not for almost a fortnight yet, the pleasure you just inspired in me is one we will have to await a little longer.” He traced the line of her jaw with the rough pad of his finger. “I must guard the virtue of my little maid, even from myself.”

“And virtue is good thing, is it not, my lord?” She could not help a small, satisfied smile. “I would not wish you to doubt your intended wife.”

Geoffrey groaned and shook his head.  “I can see, my lady, that your wits have indeed returned. And I am sure you will use them to charm your husband into granting your every wish. But,” he leaned closer and gathered both her hands, “what of your husband’s wishes?” He began to knead them, her tiny white hands engulfed in his darker ones, and set her stomach to trembling.

“But I have no husband yet, my lord.” Alyse’s voice threatened to die away completely, as she struggled to keep her mind focused. The task became nigh impossible as Geoffrey raised her hands to his lips and caressed them with a burning mouth.

I hope you enjoyed this latest sample from  Betrothal.   And today be sure to click here to visit more Sweet Samples.