I apologize for being all over the place the past couple of weeks, but I’ve been burning the candle at both ends and from the middle out. Not only am I teaching full time, but I’m back at work directing a show that goes up at the end of February and therefore rehearsing every day. Last week time got away with me and I didn’t have a chance to post a new snippet. So very sorry for that. But this week I’m determined to do better with a snippet from a brand new short story that’s going to release in an anthology this coming Friday–Valentine’s Day! The short story is called It’s In His Kiss and the anthology is A Duke by Any Other Name from Dragonblade Publishing. Come take a look!

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors !

A Duke by Any Other Name

A Duke by any other name would smell as… dastardly?
Roguish?
Rakish?

… delightful?

View romance through rose-colored, duke-tastic tales!

Join several of your favorite historical romance authors in a NEW collection of unpublished novellas where dukes are wild, or seductive, or both. Inspired by Shakespeare’s sonnets and plays – but with guaranteed happy endings – lose yourself in new and romantic stories to warm your hearts and heat your soul. Smell the roses and experience the passion!

BLURB:

Heartsore from a recent love’s rejection and wet to the bone from a sudden downpour, William Rothwell is stranded in the tiny village of Twywell when his horse loses a shoe. He puts up at a tavern until the animal can be tended, but is disconcerted when all the people in town seem to know him–despite the fact he’s never been there before. After a few drinks, William is persuaded to go to a local celebration where the comly birthday girl also seems to know him AND flirts outrageously with him. Attracted to her–and not a little aroused–William decides to let nature take its course and face any consequences the morning after.

Lucinda Harcourt’s been infatuated with handsome rake William Fitzwilliam for years, so she decides to make her play for him at her birthday celebration. And when she tries to seduce him, lo and behold, Will seems smitten with her. They retire to her bedroom where Lucinda makes it clear in no uncertain terms she wants Will–right now–and is thrilled when he agrees, making all her fantasies come true. 

In the morning light, however, things unravel and consequences take a bizarre turn for both William and Lucinda.

I’m starting where William has just entered the village to find a blacksmith for his horse. Enjoy!

EXCERPT:

The mucky path led him quickly to a weather-worn tavern, but the mean nature of the shelter mattered not a bit to William, now soaked to the skin and beginning to shiver. As he entered the courtyard, a young lad of no more than twelve hurried toward him.

“Puttin’ up for the night, govna?”

“My horse cast a shoe a mile or more back. Is the blacksmith close at hand?” William glanced about, but the smithy must have his own establishment in the village. He untied the saddle bags that held his hopefully dry shirt and hose.

“’E’s a new ‘orse, ain’t ‘e, Will?”

William’s head snapped back toward the scruffy boy, every bit as soaked as he, and peered more closely at the bedraggled child. “Do you know me, lad?”

And a little bit more…

“Course I do.” The waif looked up at him as if to suggest William was daft as a lunatic. “Everyone in the village knows you, Will.”

Frowning, William reluctantly handed over the reins to the stableboy. “They do?” He’d never been to Twywell before, but likely the villagers knew his father—he’d conducted business here regularly over the years, according to the ledgers. Something to do with the stabling of horses, William believed, for there had been regular monthly payments to someone named Fitzwilliam, similar in nature to other such payments listed as stable fees. As there had been a strong likeness between him and his sire, the people here would likely make the connection. Still, the boy shouldn’t be so familiar with him. “Well you and they had better be more respectful.”

The scamp made a scoffing noise, then made an awkward bow. “Oh, beg pardon, your worship.” Then laughing, he scampered off, pulling Pharoah behind him.

Totally befuddled, William watched him go, belatedly shouting after him, “Don’t forget to have the blacksmith look at his hoof!” The boy’s bizarre behavior had William shaking his head as he turned toward the tavern door.

A Duke by Any Other Name, an anthology of eleven historical short romances from best-selling authors of romance, is now available on Amazon as an e-book. Grab your copy here for .99!!

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