Welcome to the Marketing For Romance Writers Book Hooks Blog Hop. I'm sharing a snippet from where Waterloo Veteran Viscount Stonehurst has reunited with his father after twelve years. Their's villainous relatives, missing jewels, and complex family relationships to sort out before he can reach for the Happy Ending he desires.
Excerpt
His father considered a moment. “Agreed, but I need to ask a favor. Will you permit me to send a man to retrieve the family heirlooms I left in the townhouse I deeded to your sister?”
Her brow furrowed, but she couldn’t think straight with Stonehurst’s hand creeping ever closer to her cunny. “There is no property outside of Cornwall. I’m certain of it. If such a deed existed, I’d have seen it.”
A relieved look passed over Stonehurst’s face. “You didn’t ignore Susanna and my by-blow, then?”
Sitting tall, St. Keverne raised an eyebrow at his son. “I would never let my grandchild grow up in poverty, no matter on which side of the blanket the babe was born.”
Stonehurst breathed out with a sigh. “I should have known you’d do the right thing.”
His father’s smile faded and he turned suddenly stern. “Talking of doing the right thing, I dropped into your bedchamber to say goodnight, but you weren’t there. As I returned to my chamber, I heard things in the Chinese room that should only happen between husband and wife. I don’t want history repeating itself.”
Julianna wished she’d stayed with Parson Phillips after all. Her cheeks flamed and her appetite fled. When Stonehurst came to her bed, he’d shown her a new world of pleasure.
She didn’t regret it, but she couldn’t remain here now that his father knew she’d let her inner strumpet out to play. “I’ll leave immediately. Once home, I promise to scour the place for the deed. If I find it, I’ll return it, of course. Have you spoken with Lawyer Hepplethwaite? He’s acted for my family for years. Maybe he knows more about it.”
Stonehurst sprang to her side. “Don’t even think of setting foot in your home until we’re certain your brother isn’t there. You own everything that was his, and he will want it back.”
When he put it that way, her hands shook and her throat dried. Confusion showed in her gaze. She wouldn’t survive another encounter with Kit, especially after he discovered the extra clause in the marriage contract.
Her staying here would embarrass everyone, though.
“Papa,” Stonehurst continued, “Julianna and I intend to wed as soon as Parson Phillips reads the bans. Can you blame us for anticipating things in the circumstances?”
What? He announced they were to wed? If he’d loved her, she’d have been dancing around the rose garden. Instead, he felt obliged to marry her to protect her reputation. She cared too much to let him do that.
Blurb
When her brother tries to force her into a marriage with a detestable baron, Julianna Halstead flees the family estate she has helped manage since the death of her parents. But as she makes her escape late at night, Juliana’s carelessness nearly results in her being trampled by a galloping horse, and the steed’s handsome rider takes it upon himself to correct her right then and there.
Though having her bottom bared and soundly spanked on the side of the road leaves Juliana blushing crimson, the punishment arouses her intensely and her body’s helpless response cannot be hidden. To make matters worse, the gentleman over whose lap she was so firmly chastised turns out to be none other than Viscount Stonehurst, someone she has known since childhood.
When Stonehurst learns of Juliana’s predicament, he decides to make her his bride. She will be no ordinary wife, however. She will be something much more shameful. But even as she is leashed, collared, and put on display in a cage wearing only a tail, then brought out to be used in ways no proper lady should enjoy, will Juliana come to love her new life as the viscount’s pet?
Publisher’s Note: The Viscount’s Pet is a stand-alone novel which shares the Regency-era setting of Wickedly Used and His Innocent Bride. It includes spankings and sexual scenes. If such material offends you, please don’t buy this book.
Buy links
OR READ FOR FREE ON KINDLE UNLIMITED
Definitely a bad proposal. Now waht?
ReplyDeleteI have the feeling she's wrong about him only marrying her out of obligation. Either way, he sounds hard to resist.
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting. If he doesn't love her (and vice versa). So what's in it for the two of them?
ReplyDeletePowerful last line! "She cared too much to let him do that."
ReplyDeleteAll posts have been shared on Excerpts and promotions Facebook Page.
https://www.facebook.com/Excerpts.and.Promotions/
Dee Carver
#PMInc