Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors !

 Sorry for being MIA the past few weeks, but 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 check in on what Diana is doing four months after the “unfortunate incident.” Enjoy!

EXCERPT:

“With my letter stating the terms of the will have been met, the bank will open a separate account and transfer the balance from your uncle’s account to that one,” Mr. Boniface looked up and handed her the papers, “the sum will afford you an annual income of around thirty thousand pounds.”

At those words Diana’s breath stopped completely and she stared at the little man across from her, transfixed by his statement–such an amount of money was undreamed of.

Her aunt’s keen gaze registered her concern and asked,  “Are you all right, my dear?”

Diana gasped and gave herself a shake–this was no time to swoon. “Yes, aunt, but it…it quite took my breath away to hear what I’ve inherited.” Almost beyond her comprehension–how was she ever to know how to manage such a vast sum? “I scarcely know what to say, Mr. Boniface, other than thank you very, very much.”

“Your uncle was grateful for your care of him so he will wish you to use it wisely.” Aunt Frances had faith in her, as had Uncle George so she would do her best not to disappoint either one of them.

“Will your fiancé be joining us today, Miss Edgerton?” Mr. Boniface asked,  looking at her eagerly.

And a little bit more…

“What are you talking about, Mr. Boniface?” Diana stared at the man, who must be mad to think she was married. No one wished to marry her. “I have neither husband nor fiancé. Whatever gave you such an idea?”

The little man scowled, his lips puckered as though he’d just tasted a lemon. “Your uncle did, Miss Edgerton. On the day he appended the codicil to his will.”

Diana cut her gaze over to Aunt Frances whose face was frowning as well. Oh, dear lord. What had her uncle done? “Uncle George told you I was betrothed?”

“He did.” The solicitor pulled the mass of papers out of her hands, sifted through them until he plucked out one particular sheet. “I had voiced concerns to him that if he left such a vast sum of money to you, a sheltered, unmarried young woman, you might not understand how to manage it, or allow yourself to be taken advantage of by some scoundrel. At which point he informed me that I needn’t worry because you were betrothed to a Lord Merryweather.”

Inwardly, Diana groaned. “I confess I did tell my uncle that, Mr. Boniface. He had become concerned about me as he neared the end of his life because I wasn’t married, wasn’t settled, as he put it. So I told him a little white lie. I am good friends with Lord Merryweather but told my uncle we had an understanding.” Diana twisted her hands in her lap. She’d simply not wanted her uncle to fret about her when he was already feeling so poorly. “I suppose I led him to believe I was engaged to Lord Merryweather, which I am, in fact, not.”

“But that will not impede my niece’s inheriting her uncle’s fortune, will it?” Aunt Frances leaned toward the solicitor, her gaze fixed on his face.

Mr. Boniface’s face drooped. “I am very afraid it will, Mrs. Beaumont.”

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!