Jenna Jaxon Romance–because passion is timeless.

BLURB:

When Miss Cecilia Powell attends her very first masquerade on All Hallows’ Eve, she’s thrilled when a mysterious reveler pays court to her. As their encounter continues, Cecilia is charmed, then smitten with this masked stranger, even though she senses something odd about him. Is he truly the man of her dreams, or will Cecilia find her dream a true nightmare?

I’ve skipped ahead a few paragraphs, in which Cecelia sees another happy couple getting ready to dance. So now the stage is set for…something to happen. 🙂 Enjoy!

EXCERPT:

His graceful, light carriage sent more anticipation buzzing through her and Cecilia could not stop staring as he halted in front of her and made a deep bow.

“Goddess Astraea, I come to make obeisance to your loveliness, fair one, for I am rendered weak by the beauty and grace that stands before me.” The rich, deep baritone of his voice fell oh-so-pleasurably on her ear.

Disappointment tugged at her, however, when she didn’t recognize his voice. It was softened somewhat by the charming compliment, which caught her by surprise and sent a wave of shyness cascading through her. “Thank you, sir, for your kind tribute–Astraea is always appreciative of those who worship at the altar of innocence and virtue, but I fear you have me at a disadvantage. From my garb, you have apparently easily ascertained my identity,” she swept her hand down the white and silver Grecian gown, “although how you did so is a wonder, for I could have been any number of goddesses instead of Astraea.” Making her curtsy, she continued, “I give you great credit and must bow to acknowledge the sharpness of your acumen.”

He smiled, and her heart melted at the warmth he radiated.

And a little more for good measure…

“Would you do me the honor of dancing this waltz with me, Astraea?” The blue pools deepened to darkest sapphire.

“Oh, yes,” she whispered and extended her hand. She would dance after all tonight, and with a mysterious and exciting gentleman. Still, caution raised its bothersome head. Goddess or not, there were rules to be followed. “At least, I should find my mother and inform her of my intention. I can’t think why she has left me alone all this time.”

“Of course, my dear. Do you see her?” The dark stranger turned his head this way and that. “What manner of costume is she wearing?”

“She is wearing…” Cecilia knit her brows, trying to concentrate. But the mere nearness of the man seemed to steal her wits. “I must sound very dull-witted when I tell you that I cannot recall how Mama is dressed this evening.”

What on earth was the matter with her?

“Not at all.” His soothing tone calmed her. “I am certain it will be permissible for you to partner me and enjoy the dance together. It is a masquerade, after all. No one knows who one’s partner is until midnight.” He drew her arm through his and patted her hand.

At his touch, confidence returned to her. “Of course, how silly of me. It is, as you say, a masquerade ball. We have this good company to act as chaperones, even if we have not been introduced.”

“But we have been, I assure you.” He chuckled as he led her onto the dance floor.

“Then you know who I am beneath my disguise?” A trifle disappointing. The point of the masquerade was to remain as anonymous as possible for as long as possible. To think this man knew her already took a little of the joy from their encounter. But only a little.

“I confess I do know you, Astraea. Or I should say, Miss Powell. And I hope you will remember me when we unmask.” He nodded to the longcase clock just visible in the corridor through the open doors of the ballroom. Its hands stood at ten minutes to twelve. “Once we finish our dance, I believe it will be time.”

BLURB:

When Miss Cecilia Powell attends her very first masquerade on All Hallows’ Eve, she’s thrilled when a mysterious reveler pays court to her. As their encounter continues, Cecilia is charmed, then smitten with this masked stranger, even though she senses something odd about him. Is he truly the man of her dreams, or will Cecilia find her dream a true nightmare?

I’ve skipped ahead a few paragraphs, in which Cecelia sees another happy couple getting ready to dance. So now the stage is set for…something to happen. 🙂 Enjoy!

EXCERPT:

Cecilia sighed. She had had hopes in May, though quite briefly, that she had found that certain someone. Such a shame, too, as the gentleman had danced so well, and their conversation had been lively.

Leaning her back against the cool marble pillar, Cecilia smiled, remembering that dance. The orchestra had tuned up now. For a waltz, perhaps? Then Lady Haversham would have gotten her wish. Really, she must find Lady Hamilton and request help in finding a dancing partner, or this whole evening would be a failure.

Gazing about the room, still hopeful she could catch someone’s eye, Cecilia glanced into one of the darker corners of the room. The black wall hangings stirred, as if by a breeze, and a hooded figure emerged, a shadow come to life.

And a little more for good measure…

A thrill of fear shot through her, and she pressed her back to the unyielding marble, trying to melt into it. Goose skin rose on her arms as the apparition continued forward. Toward her. Her breath stopped, and she stood as if rooted to the floor, unable to move or speak.

The black form reached up to its head, and gold suddenly glinted in the candlelight. A glittering half-mask of intricate design concealed the gentleman’s face, though it revealed black, curly hair and the strong chin and jaw of the wearer.

Cecilia gasped, unaware until then that she’d been holding her breath, as realization struck that the man—for certainly it was a normal man who stood before her—wore a black domino to disguise his identity. Most revelers had chosen more colorful clothing, but this gentleman was garbed in one of the simplest and most elegant of costumes, the classic hooded cape that enveloped him in black entirely, save for his shimmering gold mask.

Relentlessly, he continued toward her, creating new flutterings within. Excitement rather than terror, she was sure.

BLURB:

When Miss Cecilia Powell attends her very first masquerade on All Hallows’ Eve, she’s thrilled when a mysterious reveler pays court to her. As their encounter continues, Cecilia is charmed, then smitten with this masked stranger, even though she senses something odd about him. Is he truly the man of her dreams, or will Cecilia find her dream a true nightmare?

EXCERPT:

Cecilia smiled to herself. As she’d suspected, Lord and Lady Haversham were the god and goddess of love, having a merry war of words once more. They’d disliked each other for years then, suddenly, after Lady Hamilton’s ball in May, they’d apparently been seized with a tendre for one another and married within the month.

Though she wished them happy, it disappointed her that she was not married by now as well. Likely she’d never get a husband if she couldn’t even manage to find a man to partner her in a dance. She’d never had this much trouble during the Season’s entertainments. Perhaps Mama, or better yet, Lady Hamilton, might introduce her to someone new tonight. All Hallows’ Eve would be much more fun with a partner.

Gliding past other couples in search of her hostess, Cecilia moved furtively from candlelit sconce to candlelit sconce, avoiding the darker recesses of the ballroom. Not that there would be danger here in the ballroom, still, all the strange costumes and masks unsettled her, so she preferred to take a route that kept her in the light.

And a little more for good measure…

A giggling golden-haired shepherdess, towing a dark-haired shepherd, cut in front of

Cecilia. The couple’s eyes were locked on one another rather than on where they were going. Stopping short, Cecilia scowled at such rudeness, but shrugged it off. The pair was obviously smitten, and who was she to frown on love?

“Je t’adore, mon amour,” the woman crooned, suddenly serious.

The shepherd pulled her to him. The candlelight flamed in his eyes. “And I adore you, my little shepherdess. Shall we go outside and count sheep?”

Giggling anew, the shepherdess grasped his hand once more. “I can think of better things to do, mon coeur.”

BLURB:

When Miss Cecilia Powell attends her very first masquerade on All Hallows’ Eve, she’s thrilled when a mysterious reveler pays court to her. As their encounter continues, Cecilia is charmed, then smitten with this masked stranger, even though she senses something odd about him. Is he truly the man of her dreams, or will Cecilia find her dream a true nightmare?

EXCERPT:

Shivering, Cecilia Powell gazed uneasily around Lady Hamilton’s ballroom. The walls, shrouded in a darkness broken only by the flickering light of candelabras and sconces, seemed to move with an unseen current. Her first masquerade ball, so she’d not known what to expect, but the eerie quality of the room itself set her teeth on edge. Everyone had dressed in whimsical costumes and masks, making the room even more fantastical to her sensibilities, like a scene from that dreadful book The Monk, by Mr. Lewis. The deep gloom surrounding her quite upset her nerves. Anything might happen in such an atmosphere. Perhaps she should seek out Mama.

Cecilia skirted the dance floor, where couples had just finished a country dance. Pink-cheeked ladies in half masks, like her own, stood about talking and laughing with gentlemen dressed in a variety of costumes, some charming, others rather frightful. She longed to join in the dancing, but so far this evening, she’d had no offer of a partner.

And a little more for good measure…

Everyone seemed to have paired off after this past Season. She passed an Aphrodite and Cupid bickering good-naturedly.

“I fear the songs of love this orchestra has chosen to play do not inspire me to dance, Cupid, dear. Do go ask them for a waltz soon.” Setting her hand on her tall companion’s shoulder, Aphrodite smiled and stroked the bare flesh. “I do adore a scandalous dance.”

“As we are married, my sweet, I see no reason not to oblige you,” Cupid whispered, just as Cecilia passed by. The winged messenger drew an arrow from a small quiver strapped to his back and playfully tapped the point above Aphrodite’s heart. “You will drive me to shoot someone in earnest, Kate. And I fear it will be myself.”