Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors !

I’ll be continuing my snippets from The Christmas Pact through the month of December! I hope you’re enjoying Henrietta and Charlie getting reacquainted after so many years apart. 

The Christmas Pact

BLURB:

Will a childhood promise lead them to true romance?

When Henrietta Price accidentally pummels a gentleman with a snowball, her instant mortification turns to delight when she discovers the young man is none other than her childhood best friend, Charlie. Though they haven’t seen each other in ten years, he still has the same vivid blue eyes, wicked laugh, and caring nature she remembers so well. Once he’d even vowed—at ten-years-old—to marry her, if necessary, to save her from a life of spinsterhood. And although she’s considering another man’s proposal, she can’t quite keep that long-ago promise out of her head…

Charlie Newkirk hasn’t stopped thinking about Hen since she stole a kiss from him all those years ago.  Now he can scarcely believe the beautiful woman in front of him is the same girl whose braid he used to pull. Worse, he has no idea if she’s given her heart to the wealthy young marquess courting her or if she even remembers the promise he hopes to fulfill.

With their future happiness at stake, will Charlie be able to remind Henrietta of their Christmas pact and turn their childhood friendship into a newfound romance? Or will he forever remain just someone she used to know?

I’m continuing today’s snippet beginning where we left off from last week’s. Enjoy!

EXCERPT:

Laughing, Henrietta patted Charlie’s hand before saying, “Perhaps I can put in a good word for you with the reverend.”

“Thank you, Hen,” he swallowed and reached for another sweet, “there was such a row before I came to London, I’ll take any help you can give me. Father can be stubborn, as I’m certain you remember.” Charlie leaned back on the sofa, waving a ginger biscuit in one hand.

Henrietta giggled and took up a ginger biscuit as well. It was so much fun to have Charlie to talk to again. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed his company until this minute.

“Thank you so much for having me to tea, Lady Tollesbury. I feel almost as though I’m at home again.” Charlie spoke to her mother, but his gaze lingered on Henrietta.

And a little bit more…

“It was lovely to see you again after all this time, Charlie.” Mama was pouring more tea, although the pot had to be stone cold by now. “You must return and dine with us this evening. Lord Tollesbury will want to see you, I’m certain. You cannot deny him that pleasure, can you?”

“Of course not, my lady. I would be honored.” Charlie continued to stare at Henrietta.

There was a strangeness in his look that puzzled her, and she was about to ask him if something was the matter when the drawing room door opened.

A footman entered, carrying a large bouquet of exquisite pink and yellow roses. He strode to Mama. “My lady, these just arrived for Lady Henrietta.”

“Thank you, John.” Mama took the bouquet, frowning as she searched for a card.

The footman bowed and left.

“Ah, here it is.” Her face lit up as though the flowers were for her. She looked at Henrietta, a sparkle in her eyes. “They are from Lord Foxstone, Henrietta.”

Glancing at Charlie, Henrietta held out her hand to take the bouquet from her mother. She put her nose into the blooms—she had always loved the smell of roses. Somehow Lord Foxstone had discovered that fact. “He is a very attentive gentleman.”

“I assume he is one of your bevy of suitors, Henrietta?” Charlie’s smile, a little forced now, never left his face.

“He and Henrietta are betrothed.” The triumph in Mama’s voice irritated Henrietta to no end.

The Christmas Pact is now available on Amazon for just .99! Grab your e-copy here!!

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

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors !

I’ll be continuing my snippets from The Christmas Pact through the month of December! I hope you’re enjoying Henrietta and Charlie getting reacquainted after so many years apart. 

The Christmas Pact

BLURB:

Will a childhood promise lead them to true romance?

When Henrietta Price accidentally pummels a gentleman with a snowball, her instant mortification turns to delight when she discovers the young man is none other than her childhood best friend, Charlie. Though they haven’t seen each other in ten years, he still has the same vivid blue eyes, wicked laugh, and caring nature she remembers so well. Once he’d even vowed—at ten-years-old—to marry her, if necessary, to save her from a life of spinsterhood. And although she’s considering another man’s proposal, she can’t quite keep that long-ago promise out of her head…

Charlie Newkirk hasn’t stopped thinking about Hen since she stole a kiss from him all those years ago.  Now he can scarcely believe the beautiful woman in front of him is the same girl whose braid he used to pull. Worse, he has no idea if she’s given her heart to the wealthy young marquess courting her or if she even remembers the promise he hopes to fulfill.

With their future happiness at stake, will Charlie be able to remind Henrietta of their Christmas pact and turn their childhood friendship into a newfound romance? Or will he forever remain just someone she used to know?

I’m continuing today’s snippet beginning where we left off from last week’s. How will Henrietta get out of this pickle? Enjoy!

EXCERPT:

“Were you not attending, Henrietta?” Mama pursed her lips. Her major complaint with Henrietta was that she never attended anyone properly. Usually, she was correct. “How tiresome you are. Charlie just told us that his father was quite displeased with him, didn’t you, Charlie?”

Swallowing hastily, Henrietta turned to her friend, all attention riveted on him. “Why is Reverend Newkirk displeased, Charlie? Surely you’ve never done anything to vex your papa.”

Charlie grinned and sipped some tea before saying, “Oh, it was most grievous, Hen–I thought for some time he might actually disown me.”

And a little bit more…

“Gracious, Charlie. What did you do?” Henrietta steeled herself for something absolutely scandalous.

“I took my great-uncle’s seat as an MP.” Chuckling, Charlie helped himself to another sandwich.

“He was upset because you went into politics?” Henrietta cocked her head. She’d think that would be an exciting and important career. “Why?”

“Because every first son of a Newkirk, for ten generations, at least, has gone into the Church.” Charlie finished off the sandwich and reached for a cream cake. “It’s even in our name—Newkirk. I’m the first one to go against tradition and not become a vicar since Angus Newkirk in 1654.”

“Do you know what Angus Newkirk did instead of becoming clergy, Charlie?” Mama’s interest sounded piqued.

“He joined the army. Very scandalous, given our pacific nature.” Charlie stared into Henrietta’s eyes, his own twinkling with amusement. “I should think I would be held in less dudgeon for becoming a mere politician.” The cream cake disappeared in one bite.

The Christmas Pact is now available on Amazon for just .99! Grab your e-copy here!!

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

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors !

The Christmas Pact released on Friday and it’s not too late to join the Release Party on my blog! Just visit the Release Party blog post and comment for a chance to win The Christmas Pact! 

The Christmas Pact

BLURB:

Will a childhood promise lead them to true romance?

When Henrietta Price accidentally pummels a gentleman with a snowball, her instant mortification turns to delight when she discovers the young man is none other than her childhood best friend, Charlie. Though they haven’t seen each other in ten years, he still has the same vivid blue eyes, wicked laugh, and caring nature she remembers so well. Once he’d even vowed—at ten-years-old—to marry her, if necessary, to save her from a life of spinsterhood. And although she’s considering another man’s proposal, she can’t quite keep that long-ago promise out of her head…

Charlie Newkirk hasn’t stopped thinking about Hen since she stole a kiss from him all those years ago.  Now he can scarcely believe the beautiful woman in front of him is the same girl whose braid he used to pull. Worse, he has no idea if she’s given her heart to the wealthy young marquess courting her or if she even remembers the promise he hopes to fulfill.

With their future happiness at stake, will Charlie be able to remind Henrietta of their Christmas pact and turn their childhood friendship into a newfound romance? Or will he forever remain just someone she used to know?

I’m continuing today’s snippet by skipping ahead to Charlie, Henrietta, and her mother sitting down to tea. How will Mama react to the return of the long lost friend? Enjoy!

EXCERPT:

“I remember so fondly Haverhill’s Charity Ball when I headed it,” Mama settled back in her chair and raised her cup, “I have been working with our local parish in Kent, although I do a great deal for the poor on my own, as well.”

“My mother often laments the day your family left the village, my lady. Of course, we understood completely that your husband had to take his place in Society.” Charlie seemed to know exactly what to say to get on Mama’s good side. “As you and Lady Henrietta and Lady Mary must have done, as well.”

“That is true, Charlie. We were loath to leave dear Haverhill, but our duty called us away.” Mama nodded. “When Lord Tollesbury received the sad news about his uncle and his sons…”

Mama could drone on and on about Father’s elevation, so Henrietta took the time, as she hadn’t earlier, to look truly closely at Charlie, noting all the changes between her twelve-year-old friend and the dashing gentleman who sat across from her, consuming tea and thin chicken sandwiches with gusto.

And a little bit more…

Charlie had ever had an appetite.

His eating habits seemed to have made no difference to his physical form, for Charlie was truly a fine figure of a man. The broad shoulders she had noted earlier. However, now she took in the sleek fit of his jacket, accentuating his build. His equally well-tailored trousers showed off his long legs and narrow waist. So narrow, in fact, he might have been wearing a corset. Except she would’ve bet a thousand pounds he’d never in his life do that. His neckcloth was of pure gray silk that matched his waistcoat exactly. Quite dapper for plain Charlie.

“Don’t you think that’s a shame, Henrietta?” Her mother’s sharp voice recalled her from her reverie.

Henrietta blinked, totally unaware of what bend the conversation had taken. Immediately, she stuffed a chicken sandwich in her mouth to give her time. She cocked her head and raised her eyebrows, as if to say, “Do pray go on.”

The Christmas Pact is available on Amazon for just .99! Grab your e-copy here!!

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