This week, to return to the holiday season, I’m sharing a snippet from my Regency Christmas romance, Hearts Beneath the Mistletoe.
I’m sharing a scene where Alec has taken Jenny aside after he witnessed her and Somersby under the mistletoe out in the woods.
(Very creative punctuation utilized to conform to WWW rules.)
“What is between you and Somersby?”
His words took her so aback she stepped backward, bumping into the cool stone wall of the entry hall saying, “Are you jealous?”
How thrilling if he were; not that she wanted such attentions from Alec of all people, still if her budding relationship with the earl had provoked a jealous streak in her longtime acquaintance, she couldn’t deny a certain delight deep in her heart.
“Of course not.”
Her little bubble of satisfaction burst with an almost audible pop. Resisting the urge to stamp her foot, Jenny groaned and rolled her eyes; it might be impolite but Alec was being most annoying, dragging her away from the fun at the tree to ask her questions that were none of his business. She opened her mouth to tell him so, and stopped, glad she hadn’t moved away from the wall.
His eyes flashed and his lips straightened into a thin, harsh line that sent a shiver of fear trickling down her spine before he asked, “Have you set your cap for him?”
The impudence of the question melted her alarm enough to ask, “What business is it of yours if I have?”
“Considering we are betrothed, I think it’s very much my business.”
BLURB for Hearts Beneath the Mistletoe:
Jenny Crowley has been duped! At her eighteenth birthday celebration her parents announce that instead of having the London Season she’s dreamed of for years, Jenny has been betrothed from birth to Alexander Isley, son of family friends and heir to a title. A distraught Jenny refuses point-blank to marry Alec, and when her aunt offers to whisk her away to a Christmas house party, complete with many eligible young bachelors, Jenny jumps at the chance to enjoy a variety of entertainments, be courted, and perhaps fall in love.
Alec Isley is between a rock and a hard place. He desires a marriage with Jenny no more than she does, but when his family’s dire financial status is revealed, he follows Jenny to the house party in hopes of convincing her to marry him after all. When he discovers who else is courting her there, Alec is frantic to keep her from making a dreadful mistake. Struggling with new-found feelings for his childhood friend, can Alec convince her of his love in time to save her from being ruined under the mistletoe?
Books in The Handful of Hearts series:
And don’t forget to check out the rest of the Warriors here. There’s some fantastic snippets to be read.
Jenna Jaxon Romance--because passion is timeless. 
Not jealous, says he? Au contraire, says I.
Great snippet.
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Great snippet. He’s revealing his feelings about her. Love the cover.
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Really enjoyed this snippet and the way they’re playing each other off. And what a gorgeous cover!
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Can’t fault his argument. Good tease.
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Nope, he’s got her there! 🙂
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Lots of interesting drama going on… 😀
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And you ain’t seen nothing yet! LOL
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Oooooh! The stakes have just gone up! I’m interested to see where his bold proclamation is going to take them!
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Oh, Nancy, the sparks are about to fly!
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Without the prior context it’s hard to be sure, but that last pronouncement sounds like something that she was not aware of! That would complicate things!
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She actually is aware of the betrothal, but is not happy about. She’d rather marry someone else,which is why Alec’s reminding her of it. he doesn’t want her to get hurt. Or ruined!
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It sounds like there’s going to be quite a fierce battle of the wills between them. It can’t be easy when duty is supposed to take precedence over love and wanting to have fun.
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Very true. And they are operating out of duty, not love. At least not at the moment. 🙂
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Complications abound! Nothing like a Regency Christmas romance 🙂 Enjoyed the snippet – I have a feeling she’s playing with fire here.
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Actually, she is. But she doesn’t want to marry Alec, at least not at the moment. Although that may change shortly. 🙂
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What a shock to learn one is already betrothed!! Great snippet and I adore!!!!!! the cover.
Tweeted.
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Thank you, Daryl! This is one of my favorite covers. It just embodies Christmas and romance for me. 🙂
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Well, I see their betrothal is off to a great start. LOL A wonderful snippet! 🙂
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Yes, Jessica, it’s been a trial all along.And she’s trying to get out of it.
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I wonder if this is the first she’s heard of the betrothal. If so, it’s a lousy way to find out.
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No, Ed, she’s known about it from the beginning of the book, when it was sprung on her at the dinner table! (Still a lousy way to find out.) But she’s now trying to find someone else to marry rather than the “boy next door.”
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