Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors!
As we move into June, I’m shifting the first of my House of Pleasure books, Only Scandal Will Do, because I’ve gotten the rights back to this, my first full length novel, and I’m planning to re-release it at the end of the month! I’ll have a cover reveal on my blog the end of this week, when the book goes on pre-order, so I’m putting up a picture of the heroine instead.
BLURB:
He has the woman of his dreams, but what price will he have to pay to win her heart?
Kidnapped and sold at auction in a London brothel, Lady Katarina Fitzwilliam squelches an undeniable attraction to the masked stranger who purchased her, pits her wits against him, and escapes him and the scandal that would ruin her life.
Unable to resist temptation at The House of Pleasure, Duncan Ferrers, Marquess of Dalbury, purchases a fiery beauty. She claims she’s a lady, but how can she be? No lady of his acquaintance in polite society is anything like her. Then he discovers she is who she says, and that this latest romp has compromised her reputation. He knows how that is. One more scandal and he’ll be cast out of London society, but he needs a wife who’ll provide an heir to carry on his illustrious family’s name. He seeks out Katarina, intending only to scotch the scandal, but instead finds his heart ensnared. He’s betting their future he’ll capture her heart, but does he have what it takes to win the wager?
I begin my snippets for Scandal well into the book. Lady Katarina Fitzwilliam has been kidnapped and sold at auction in a brothel, The House of Pleasure. She escaped her purchaser, Duncan, Marquess of Dalbury, only to be discovered by him some days later at a ball. He wishes to marry her, but she loathes him. Now he’s afraid they will both be ruined by the incident in the brothel and has forced her brother to defend her honor in a duel. However, Kat, who has learned excellent skills with a sword from her brother, has insisted on defending her own honor in a private duel with Dalbury, the stakes the highest of all: marriage. If she wins, he abandons all hope of having her, if he wins, she marries him immediately. In this snippet, the duel is about to commence. We are in Duncan’s POV.
EXCERPT:
“Lord Manning, may I make known to you Viscount Trevor, my second. Lord Trevor, you have already met Mr. Matthews, but will you be so kind as to introduce me to your friend here, Manning?” He gestured to the young man he had come up behind, but who had not turned to greet him, “I did not know you were bringing another witness.”
“I would say we have already been introduced several times, Lord Dalbury,” said the youth, finally turning. “Do you not recognize me, my lord?” Katarina smiled merrily as she tugged on her shirtsleeves, easing them down under the coat sleeves.
Duncan’s mouth slackened with shock–the well-fitting garments that, from the back, had hidden her form showed absolutely every one of Lady Katarina’s lovely curves. His attention kept straying to the fawn colored breeches, neatly buckled below the knee, thank God–what would he have done if she had shown her knees? The breeches hugged her hips–her hips!–defining the curvaceous body he remembered so vividly.
And now to finish the scene :
He forced his eyes up, relaxing somewhat at the coat that resembled a lady’s riding costume, although it was a man’s garment: a sleeved waistcoat, in cherry-red worsted with silver buttons down the front, over a plain linen shirt, with no evidence of stays–sweet Christ, her breasts would be unconfined during the duel. What if he injured them?
Her magnificent auburn hair was pulled back from her face, but he’d seen no evidence of locks down her back when he approached her. “What have you done to your hair?” His uneasiness at her costume became full-blown panic. God, had she cut her hair for the duel?
Only Scandal Will Do should be available for pre-order by the end of the week. Come by my blog for the cover reveal!
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. 
Haha! She’s a feisty one–and never fails to surprise him. lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
And this is just the beginning of their relationship. They both have a lot to learn!
LikeLike
I think it’s safe to say that she surprised him and caught his attention with no trouble at all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now if she can keep him off garde while they are en garde!
LikeLike
Maybe she should’ve shown her knees. He would’ve been so distracted he’d lose the duel in one minute flat.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Probably true. LOL But then it would have been a novella. 🙂
LikeLike
I didn’t read this one. Sounds interesting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you enjoy the snippets this month!
LikeLike
I remember this one – congratulations on getting the rights back! Enjoyed the snippet, wonderful details and the effects of her clothing choices on him are quite amusing, given the time period.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Veronica! It’s a much different time than Regency, more colorful I think, and much wilder. Quite fun to describe!
LikeLike
This was the first of your books I read . . . and adored it! Congrats on getting it back out there! Can’t wait to see the new cover.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Nancy! I remembered you liked this one a lot. 🙂
LikeLike
If he doesn’t focus, he’s definitely going to lose!
LikeLiked by 1 person
And that is just as Katarina is hoping. She’ll use any weapon available, and not just a sword.
LikeLike
I had to laugh at his reaction to realizing who she is. I can imagine his mouth hanging open. lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, yes. He’s gobsmacked to be sure!
LikeLike