As I seemed to be all over the place yesterday on my amazing release day tour for The Earl and the Courtesan, I didn't get a chance to promote this post. And well it does fit so here we are, my celebratory #MidWeekTease
And you can catch all the other #MidWeekTease posts by clicking
Yup I have a book out...
and to say I'm excited is an understatement.
This is my first Regency romance with Totally Bound, and boy have they done me proud. I mean look at my fabulous Emmy Ellis cover for a start?
And this amazing graphic for the blurb...
So, I thought I'd share a bit with you here...
How it all started...
“And to my companion, Miss Theresa Kyle, in recognition of all she has done for me and
mine, I leave my house in Berkeley Square with all the furniture she wishes to keep and the
sum of ten thousand pounds to be hers outright and...”
Theresa didn’t hear anything else, other than the gasp that ran around the austere study where the will of the late Sir Humphrey Goddard was being read. She slumped back in her chair—as best she could on a straight-backed Chippendale with several pairs of condemning eyes on her—and put her palm over her racing heart as if to steady it. A handful of silk and lace grounded her. In her eyes, the furniture alone was priceless and more than she could have ever hoped to receive, let alone the building. As for the money?
Ten thousand pounds. That would give her an annual income of around four hundred pounds. A fortune to her. If it wouldn’t have looked so stupid, she would have used the hand over her breast to pat it rapidly, just to check she wasn’t dreaming. How silly would that appear?
“Good lord, he had lost his mind,” Mr. Abercorn, the rector, said. “Poor Lord Humphrey, bless him.” He looked to the ceiling and put the tips of his fingers together as if he were praying.
Oh my goodness, what sort of person does that in a situation like this? Talk about pontificating. The rector was one her beloved mama would say was full of words and little action. The ceiling was not at all heavenly, being as it was a dull beige and incredibly boring. Theresa was sure she could see a spider’s web in one corner, complete with occupant. It was obvious this room had not been used since Sir Humphrey passed on.
“I’m sorry to disabuse you of that idea, Reverend, but his lordship was of a very sound mind and gave me his instructions with precise clarity,” the solicitor said with definite annoyance in his tone. “It does you no credit to say such things. After all, he also left money to the church. Some might say that was a sign of a mind lost.”
The cleric flushed with anger. “The Lord’s house is grateful,” he said in a stiff manner “I meant no offense.”
Theresa didn’t hear anything else, other than the gasp that ran around the austere study where the will of the late Sir Humphrey Goddard was being read. She slumped back in her chair—as best she could on a straight-backed Chippendale with several pairs of condemning eyes on her—and put her palm over her racing heart as if to steady it. A handful of silk and lace grounded her. In her eyes, the furniture alone was priceless and more than she could have ever hoped to receive, let alone the building. As for the money?
Ten thousand pounds. That would give her an annual income of around four hundred pounds. A fortune to her. If it wouldn’t have looked so stupid, she would have used the hand over her breast to pat it rapidly, just to check she wasn’t dreaming. How silly would that appear?
“Good lord, he had lost his mind,” Mr. Abercorn, the rector, said. “Poor Lord Humphrey, bless him.” He looked to the ceiling and put the tips of his fingers together as if he were praying.
Oh my goodness, what sort of person does that in a situation like this? Talk about pontificating. The rector was one her beloved mama would say was full of words and little action. The ceiling was not at all heavenly, being as it was a dull beige and incredibly boring. Theresa was sure she could see a spider’s web in one corner, complete with occupant. It was obvious this room had not been used since Sir Humphrey passed on.
“I’m sorry to disabuse you of that idea, Reverend, but his lordship was of a very sound mind and gave me his instructions with precise clarity,” the solicitor said with definite annoyance in his tone. “It does you no credit to say such things. After all, he also left money to the church. Some might say that was a sign of a mind lost.”
The cleric flushed with anger. “The Lord’s house is grateful,” he said in a stiff manner “I meant no offense.”
“Good,” George, Sir Humphrey’s heir, interjected, his tone grim “Remember, it was his
money to do with as he wished.”
The rector reddened. “I stand corrected,” he said. His reluctance to admit his mistake was obvious by his inflexible attitude. “My apologies.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Theresa watched both Lord George and the solicitor nod. However, it seemed the rector was not the only person to be resentful.
“Never mind that, what’s she done to deserve such largesse, then?” a disgruntled Lady Paulina, Sir Humphrey’s daughter, asked with a snap Her customary petulant expression was even more pronounced than usual. “I always thought her too forward and encroaching.”
George, the elder by several years, frowned at Paulina. “Enough, sister mine, you sound spiteful and grasping. Put your claws away.”
Paulina also reddened. Her sharp features stood out prominently and she looked like a weasel about to pounce on some poor unexpected prey. Theresa hoped that she wasn’t the target. She wasn’t in the mood to retaliate, and if attacked she’d have to. With most daughters you could be charitable and say grief had unsettled them. Not, she thought, in Paulina’s case. Her unpleasantness was habitual so this was no departure from normal.
George, a portly man who would no doubt become stout before middle age, stared at his sister until she turned away with a toss of her head. He nodded then smiled at Theresa.
“Miss Kyle did more than any of us could do—make our father happy and whole again for a start. Miss Kyle, you deserve every penny, and I’ll be happy to be your mentor and guide in any way possible.”
Theresa smiled back somewhat tremulously as Paulina snorted. The woman would never be content, Theresa decided as she looked at the disconsolate long face. Even if everything had been left to Paulina, Theresa imagined she’d still have something to complain about.
Not like dear Humphrey, whose contentment had shone out of him and encompassed Theresa. And now this gift. Was this what Humphrey had meant when she’d lain in his arms and he’d told her she had made him very happy and he’d make sure she never regretted it?
“Theresa, not only did you bring back my ability to be a man again, you taught me much more than how to enjoy making love,” he had said. “You showed me how to pleasure a woman in ways that satisfied and gratified us both. Not an easy task, but you succeeded in such a way that I became more of a man.”
The rector reddened. “I stand corrected,” he said. His reluctance to admit his mistake was obvious by his inflexible attitude. “My apologies.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Theresa watched both Lord George and the solicitor nod. However, it seemed the rector was not the only person to be resentful.
“Never mind that, what’s she done to deserve such largesse, then?” a disgruntled Lady Paulina, Sir Humphrey’s daughter, asked with a snap Her customary petulant expression was even more pronounced than usual. “I always thought her too forward and encroaching.”
George, the elder by several years, frowned at Paulina. “Enough, sister mine, you sound spiteful and grasping. Put your claws away.”
Paulina also reddened. Her sharp features stood out prominently and she looked like a weasel about to pounce on some poor unexpected prey. Theresa hoped that she wasn’t the target. She wasn’t in the mood to retaliate, and if attacked she’d have to. With most daughters you could be charitable and say grief had unsettled them. Not, she thought, in Paulina’s case. Her unpleasantness was habitual so this was no departure from normal.
George, a portly man who would no doubt become stout before middle age, stared at his sister until she turned away with a toss of her head. He nodded then smiled at Theresa.
“Miss Kyle did more than any of us could do—make our father happy and whole again for a start. Miss Kyle, you deserve every penny, and I’ll be happy to be your mentor and guide in any way possible.”
Theresa smiled back somewhat tremulously as Paulina snorted. The woman would never be content, Theresa decided as she looked at the disconsolate long face. Even if everything had been left to Paulina, Theresa imagined she’d still have something to complain about.
Not like dear Humphrey, whose contentment had shone out of him and encompassed Theresa. And now this gift. Was this what Humphrey had meant when she’d lain in his arms and he’d told her she had made him very happy and he’d make sure she never regretted it?
“Theresa, not only did you bring back my ability to be a man again, you taught me much more than how to enjoy making love,” he had said. “You showed me how to pleasure a woman in ways that satisfied and gratified us both. Not an easy task, but you succeeded in such a way that I became more of a man.”
Theresa smiled at the memory. Dear Humphrey, I miss you. Chance in the form of a
snowstorm had brought them together. Loneliness had kept them there. And bedroom antics.
She had to be honest. Sex had held them together. Humphrey had evidently been
uninterested in sex for many years, until he’d shown her how much enjoyment there could be
in the act of copulation. Of foreplay and stimulation, arousal and sensations. He’d taught her how to enjoy everything, how to pleasure him and how to be pleasured in return.
One day he’d turned to her, patted her cheek and told her with a quiet contentment that she knew more than he. Then he’d dropped his bombshell. Whatever she chose to do he would back her and give her an allowance, and a cottage in the village in her name for her to do with as she liked. However, he was certain her talents were needed elsewhere, and he would be grateful if she considered helping his son, who would benefit from her expertise.
“As will his women,” Lord Humphrey had added with a wink. “Before you say anything, the cottage and allowance are yours outright and with no strings attached. In case you decide not to continue and use your talents as a career. You need never work at anything if you choose not to.” George, a shy and tongue-tied man around women, had added his entreaties to his father’s. As later had his friend. And his cousin.
All under the eagle eye of Humphrey, who, although he’d decided he was no longer
hungry for sex, had been her willing protector. It was, he’d said, an honor and a privilege to see how well thought of ‘Theresita’ was. Many people wouldn’t understand why she chose to do what she did, Theresa knew. She’d enjoyed it, and understood that to be a lady’s maid or a farmer’s wife was not for her.
“Miss Kyle?”
Theresa brought herself back to the present as the solicitor addressed her, and turned to the man with a smile. “My apologies, I was wool-gathering.”
The elderly man nodded. “Understandable, in the circumstances. However, I’ll need your signature and any instructions you have for me.”
“Oh...oh yes.”
“You will take advantage of the house, won’t you?” George asked. “M’father wished it, and I agree with him.” He stuck his hand out and put his palm over his sister’s mouth. “Ignore Paulina, she thinks it means less for her. It doesn’t.”
Theresa gaped at him. Did he mean it came from his portion? “I... You...”
One day he’d turned to her, patted her cheek and told her with a quiet contentment that she knew more than he. Then he’d dropped his bombshell. Whatever she chose to do he would back her and give her an allowance, and a cottage in the village in her name for her to do with as she liked. However, he was certain her talents were needed elsewhere, and he would be grateful if she considered helping his son, who would benefit from her expertise.
“As will his women,” Lord Humphrey had added with a wink. “Before you say anything, the cottage and allowance are yours outright and with no strings attached. In case you decide not to continue and use your talents as a career. You need never work at anything if you choose not to.” George, a shy and tongue-tied man around women, had added his entreaties to his father’s. As later had his friend. And his cousin.
All under the eagle eye of Humphrey, who, although he’d decided he was no longer
hungry for sex, had been her willing protector. It was, he’d said, an honor and a privilege to see how well thought of ‘Theresita’ was. Many people wouldn’t understand why she chose to do what she did, Theresa knew. She’d enjoyed it, and understood that to be a lady’s maid or a farmer’s wife was not for her.
“Miss Kyle?”
Theresa brought herself back to the present as the solicitor addressed her, and turned to the man with a smile. “My apologies, I was wool-gathering.”
The elderly man nodded. “Understandable, in the circumstances. However, I’ll need your signature and any instructions you have for me.”
“Oh...oh yes.”
“You will take advantage of the house, won’t you?” George asked. “M’father wished it, and I agree with him.” He stuck his hand out and put his palm over his sister’s mouth. “Ignore Paulina, she thinks it means less for her. It doesn’t.”
Theresa gaped at him. Did he mean it came from his portion? “I... You...”
“Theresa, you’ve done more for this family than anyone could imagine. Papa discussed this with me and I agreed with him. I and my wife have to thank you,” George said in a soft voice. The sincerity in his words was noticeable.
Elizabeth, his wife, nodded with vigor. “Much more.” She stood and squeezed Theresa’s cold fingers. “Good lord, you’re freezing. Here”—she thrust her muff over Theresa’s hands and patted it—“wear that.”
“Thank you.” Theresa had no idea why she was cold. Shock perhaps? She hadn’t expected anything like this. Or thought to be left anything, other than perhaps a few trinkets. Humphrey had given her so much anyway, and he’d owed her nothing. And now, that lovely building where she knew he had been so happy was hers. Two homes—what more could anyone ask for?
“Are you sure?” she said in little more than a murmur, so only the solicitor and George could hear. “Really?”
“Really. Therefore go and sign your life away.” George winked. “I suspect you could do very well in London.
So did she.
Now, if this has whetted your appetite, her's the links
Now, if this has whetted your appetite, her's the links
(com) http://amzn.to/2qMYVNm
Paperback uk
http://amzn.to/2sin7LQ
Happy reading,
love Raven x
Congrats on your release. Hope you have many sales. This sounds absolutely amazing.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the release. Fab teaser :-)
ReplyDeleteThat's a serious surprise! I hope she uses it wisely.
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely engrossing, Raven! And mucho congratulations on the release!
ReplyDeleteHappy new release!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the release. I wish you many happy sales!
ReplyDelete