This is the last week I’ll be posting from the short story called It’s In His Kiss in the anthology A Duke by Any Other Name from Dragonblade Publishing. My upcoming release, The Dandy Lyon, part of Dragonblade Publishing’s Lyon’s Den shared world, is releasing in March, so I’ll be switching to that novella next week. But for today, here’s a little more of Will’s dilemma!

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!

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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.

As this is the last snippet from this story, I’m skipping ahead from last week. William and Lucinda are dancing a scandalous waltz, which is making Lucinda think about other, even more scandalous things. Enjoy!

EXCERPT:

Occasionally, as they spun, their bodies would touch briefly, causing Lucinda to gasp–each time they brushed together, she believed she would swoon.

The pace and position changed, as she slid her hands to his shoulders while both of his hands rested on her waist. And then breathing almost became impossible as they began a series of spritely turns, all the while gazing deeply into each other’s eyes. No wonder this was labeled the most scandalous of dances, although it never had it seemed so wicked when she’d danced it before. But being so close to Will, his touch burning its way into her soul, she understood with crystal clarity the dangers of this dance. Because it led irrevocably to thoughts of their bodies touching in other, even more intimate ways. His smooth, sleek body naked before—

“Are you quite well, Lucinda?” His words broke into her thoughts as though he’d pulled a locked door opened, spilling light into the dark recesses. “Your cheeks are terribly red and you seem out of breath.”

And a little bit more…

With good reason. Her cheeks should be afire, given that she’d been imagining Will without a stitch of clothing. “I…I am rather…out of breath, I fear. Would you take me outside for a breath of fresh air?” Perhaps the cold, rain-soaked wind would bring her back to reason. “That may be best.”

“But it’s still pouring.” He glanced out the window and frowned. “I’d hate for you to ruin that lovely gown. And you could take a nasty chill.” His gaze bore into her. “Is there somewhere else I could take you to catch your breath? Somewhere more…private?”

So the Fates were indeed offering Will to her, on a silver platter, no less. Well, so be it. “There’s a quiet drawing room upstairs. Perhaps you could take me there?” Lucinda gulped. “I may need to lie down for a moment.”

“Shall I fetch someone else to help you?” The offer was thoughtful, mindful of what could happen to her reputation. Not at all what she’d expect from an unrepentant rake. Perhaps Adriana and the whole village had misjudged Will. Only she had seen the possibility that he was a good man underneath his reckless deeds.

And now she was the one to be reckless. “Oh, no. I don’t wish to alarm anyone.” Reluctantly, Lucinda dropped her arms from his shoulders. “I will be fine with a few minutes rest.” She glanced around until she discovered her cousin, laughing with Mrs. Toliver, the blacksmith’s wife. “It’s just this way.”

Immediately, Will offered his arm, but instead she took his hand—the staircase was narrow and they’d have to go single file up it in any case—and flames of fire licked their way up her arm when their hands clasped. With another surreptitious glance at Adriana, Lucinda turned toward the stairs. She didn’t care that this was not the proper way to get a husband. All that mattered was that she got this man for her husband.

A Duke by Any Other Name, an anthology of eleven historical short romances from best-selling authors of romance, released on Valentine’s Day and is now available on Amazon as an e-book  for $4.99. Grab your copy here!!

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