Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors !

 I’m back this week with a new snippet from The Lyon’s Paw. It’s part of Dragonblade Publishing’s Lyon’s Den shared world that is released and is available on Amazon and in KU!

The Lyon’s Paw

BLURB:

He’s not the type of man to forgive—but he’ll never forget her.

Geoffrey, Lord Longford is between a rock and a hard place. His estates are about to be sold to keep the earldom afloat so without a huge infusion of cash, his life is about to change for the worse. When his best friend suggests Geoffrey marry an heiress, he’s despondent but resigned. Despite his reservations, he seeks out Mrs. Dove-Lyon at The Lyon’s Den to find a suitable young lady with a suitable fortune.

Diana Edgerton sacrificed years of her life taking care of her uncle until he died, but that sacrifice is about to be rewarded handsomely. His will leaves Diana the sole heir to a vast fortune, but with one horrifying stipulation—she must be married in order to inherit it. Unfortunately, terrible rumors about Diana and her uncle have made her all but unmarriageable. In desperation, Diana’s aunt suggests she visit The Lyon’s Den and consult Mrs. Dove-Lyon to arrange a match to save her inheritance.

With two clients seemingly made for each other, a happy ending is all but assured.

Except Geoffrey and Diana have an unfortunate history—one that makes their union almost an impossibility. With so much hanging in the balance, can the two of them overcome the fact they despise one another long enough to secure the possibility of a future together?

This excerpt is a continuation of The Lyon’s Paw. I’ve moved on to the next chapter. Some time has passed and things have gone from bad to worse for Geoffrey. Enjoy!

EXCERPT:

“What do you mean the money’s all gone?” Geoffrey, Lord Longford barked at his new steward, John Folger, staring uncomprehendingly as though the man was speaking a foreign language.

Mr. Folger fidgeted with his watch chain hard enough, he actually wrenched the chain from the watch at Geoffrey’s loud, angry tone. “I am sorry, my lord, but I am simply the messenger of these bad tidings. It seems Mr. Griffin has been less than forthcoming with you about the income from the various estates for some time now.” Folger pulled out a sheaf of papers and spread them before Geoffrey. “He kept meticulous records, I’m happy to say. He didn’t pilfer a penny in…” The steward stopped. “How many years did you say he’d worked for you?”

And a little bit more…

“He was my father’s steward much longer than mine, at least thirty years. He stayed on at my behest when my father died five years ago. Perhaps if I’d let him go then…” Geoffrey’s voice drifted off as the phrase, “almost bankrupt” kept reverberating in his mind.

“At least if you’d hired someone who didn’t try to hide the facts from you out of a sense of misplaced loyalty to the family, you would have been better prepared.” Folger scanned the pages of figures. “Nothing would have changed agriculturally, mind you. The summer of 1816 was ghastly for everyone. No crops could thrive in such cold temperatures. And then the blight on the heels of that the next year. This year’s crops have been better, but not enough to cover the recent losses.”

“And those were on top of the legacy duty when my father died. We managed to pay it, but we’ve never truly recovered financially.” Geoffrey slumped in his chair. He was letting his father down. And his mother, himself and his sister, Joanna. Joanna. Christ, what about her dowry?

The Lyon’s Paw is now available on Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited! Grab your copy here!!

Don’t forget to check out the rest of the snippets here! There’s some great stories out there!