Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors !

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!

To all Dads out there–Celebrate! This is your day for everyone to say Thank You!

This week I’m continuing to post snippets from my upcoming Georgian novel, A Countess Never Tells, Book 3 of my Captivating Countesses series. The book releases on Tuesday, August 29, 2023 and is currently up on pre-order for .99. 

This book brings back the characters from A Countess of Convenience, particularly Judith and John (Lord and Lady Haxby), as Kitty Tate, the heroine is John’s younger sister and Judith’s childhood friend and now sister-in-law. 

BLURB:

They say rakes make the best husbands…but do they?

At the age of twenty-four, vivacious Kitty Tate is having the time of her life in her first London season—such a good time in fact, she’s caught the eye of Lord Ashwood, the ton’s most notorious rake. And he’s caught hers.

She’s instantly taken with the handsome lord and finding out he’s a scoundrel doesn’t deter her one bit. Which is why her brother has forbidden her to see him. Unfortunately for him, Kitty has a mind of her own and the willpower to fight for what she wants.

Ash plans to be a dedicated rake until he’s old and gray, but at the moment he’s determined to seduce the delicious Miss Tate despite her brother’s objections. She’s such a blend of innocence and siren he cannot wait to welcome her into his bed. When he finds Kitty eager to be seduced, Ash’s desire burns brighter still.

But a dastardly wager surfaces, and Ash discovers a truly despicable man is determined to beat him to Kitty’s bed. Forbidden to marry her, Ash must now find another way to protect the woman he’s come to love before she’s ruined by another man.

Today I’m starting continuing on from the very beginning of the novel. Miss Kitty Tate is at a ball, dancing with a gentleman she’s just met. They manage some conversation while they dance. Enjoy!

EXCERPT:

They bowed as the music came to an end and he offered her his arm. Kitty took it gladly, pleased with their dance.

“Thank you for a lovely dance, Miss Tate.”

“You are quite welcome, my lord.”

“May I escort you back to your chaperone?”

“Yes, please. My sister-in-law is just there.” She nodded to Judith, standing on the opposite side of the ballroom. “The lady in purple–she has had much tragedy in her life in recent months. She lost her husband in January and her father is recently deceased as well but she is wearing half-mourning so she can help chaperone me during the Season.”

And a little more for good measure. . . 

“We have been great friends since childhood. I only wish her life was not so difficult at the moment.”

“You are kind-hearted, Miss Tate.” He steered them around the dance floor.

“And you are gallant, Lord Ashbrook. I am very happy Lord Aldbury introduced you.” Kitty had known Lord Aldbury as an acquaintance of her brother’s, so she’d not needed Judith’s or John’s presence for the introduction.

“I certainly owe Lord Aldbury a debt.” Lord Ashbrook smiled ruefully. “I am glad he introduced us also. But wait, there he is.” He nodded to Aldbury, talking to several other gentlemen near to the doors to the verandah. “Let me just thank him once more.”

Kitty nodded. There would be time before the next set made up. It was the supper dance and she was to partner Lord Quatford, a gentleman she’d partnered often during the Season. A nice enough gentleman, but he didn’t hold a candle to Lord Ashbrook as far as looks were concerned. She could certainly spare a little more time for her current partner.

“Aldbury, gentlemen.” Lord Ashbrook bowed and Kitty curtsied. She knew Lord Aldbury, of course, but hadn’t met any of the others.

“Wanted to thank you again for that important introduction, Aldbury. Good man.” Lord Ashbrook looked meaningfully at his friend.

“Quite right. Not at all, Ashbrook.” Lord Aldbury glanced from her to him. “For that wager we spoke of earlier, any news to impart?”

“Nothing yet, but I should have something to tell you shortly.” Ashbrook smiled and patted Kitty’s hand.

Lord Ashbrook is certainly an attentive escort. Is Kitty falling for him already?

A Countess Never Tells is now up for pre-order, set to release on August 29th! Here’s the link if you want to grab this “bad boy” for .99!

I’m also part of an anthology for Dragonblade that’s part of their Lyons Den shared world called Night of Lyons. My novella is called The Lyons’ Wager and is the pre-quel to the Welwyn Marriage Wager series. Night of Lyons is available on pre-order on Amazon for .99! 

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

Captivating Countesses series