Sir
Geoffrey Longford, Lady Alyse de Courcy is eagerly looking forward to
her wedding. But when Geoffrey is forced to marry another, a
heartbroken and possibly pregnant Alyse finds herself in her own
private hell. She must either gamble with her reputation or marry
someone she does not love.
A
reputed connoisseur of women, Thomas, Lord Braeton, has dallied with
many ladies of King Edward’s court, although he has favored none.
However, as Geoffrey’s best friend, Thomas has sworn to serve and
protect Alyse, an oath now sorely tested when he agrees to marry
her—in name only—to guard her reputation. Yet, as they grow
closer, and Thomas discovers Alyse’s sweet but spirited nature, he
comes to desire a marriage in truth. Can he overcome her memory of
Geoffrey or is Thomas doomed to burn with passion for a woman he can
never possess?
If
you would like to purchase the first part of the trilogy, Betrothal,
it is available at Amazon Smashwords
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/403200
Excerpt
“Geoffrey
bade me give you this.” From beneath his cloak, Thomas withdrew a
small purse, opened it and presented Alyse with a single sprig of
lavender. “He picked it this morning ere I left and warned me not
to crush it.”
Tears
started at the sight of the bit of lavender. She wiped them carefully
before she took the sweet-smelling flower from him. Raising the
little plant to her nose, she inhaled its familiar scent. And
remembered their interlude in the rose bower.
Thomas
chuckled. “You and Geoffrey are certainly well matched. He did the
self-same thing before he handed it to me.”
Alyse
smiled with pleasure at the image his words conjured. “Thank you,
Thomas. You are more than kind to have carried these messages from my
lord.”
Thomas
lifted her hand to his lips. “I am, as always, yours to command, my
lady.” He kissed it, barely skimming the surface of her flesh.
It
tickled, and she suppressed a giggle. “Will you take your rest
now? You must be tired with your double journey in so short a space
of time.”
Thomas
stretched, the lines on his face making his weariness even more
apparent. “Nay, I am off to attend the king. His Majesty will
desire my report on how Sir Roland fares.” He smiled kindly.
“However, should you have need of me, lady, you have but to summon
me. I am at your service until Geoffrey’s return.” With a dashing
bow, Thomas spun on his heel, his cloak swirling ’round him.
Alyse
watched him go, savoring the words from her betrothed as she once
again lifted the sprig of lavender to her nose. A token from her
beloved she would cherish until his return. With a sigh for that day
to come quickly, she pushed the door to the princess’s chamber
open.
She
tried to slip in quietly, hoping to be unobserved. Of course,
everyone turned their gaze to the door the moment she entered. Alyse
sped inside and crossed to the princess,
immediately
sinking into a low curtsy. She waited, fearing the displeasure of the
young woman who had only ever shown her kindness.
Princess
Joanna paused before bidding her to rise. “Well, Lady Alyse, you
were overlong at your prayers this morning, were you not?”
Alyse
stood and nodded, unease sweeping through her.
The
princess gave Alyse an eager look. “Are you doing penance for
some...indiscretion?”
Her
heart leaped into her throat. Guilt over her tryst with Geoffrey on
the night of the tournament made her drop her gaze to her hands.
Lord,
did she know? Did everyone?
Alyse
fidgeted with the edge of her sleeve. She opened her mouth to deny
the allegation—what else could she do with her reputation at
stake?—when Anne spoke up. “Aye, Your Highness, she should have
been on her knees all morning.”
Shivers
of dread coursed through her. Anne had seen her that night. She knew.
Alyse
gaped at her chamber mate, her mouth bone dry. How much would she
tell?
The
disagreeable girl continued to stare at her, arching her neck, a
triumphant smirk on her face.
Eyes
wide, Princess Joanna looked from Anne to her before leaning forward.
“Is this true, Lady Alyse? What dire transgression have you
committed?”
About
the Author:
Jenna
Jaxon is a multi-published author of historical and contemporary
romance. Her historical romance, Only Scandal Will Do, the first in
a series of five interconnecting novels, was released in July 2012.
Her contemporary works include Hog Wild, Almost Perfect, and 7 Days
of Seduction. She is a PAN member of Romance Writers of America as
well as a member of Chesapeake Romance Writers. Her medieval romance,
Time Enough to Love, is being published as a series of three
novellas. The first book, Betrothal, released on April 19th. The
second novella, Betrayal, will release at the end of January.
Jenna
has been reading and writing historical romance since she was a
teenager. A romantic herself, she has always loved a dark side to
the genre, a twist, suspense, a surprise. She tries to incorporate
all of these elements into her own stories. She lives in Virginia
with her family and a small menagerie of pets. When not reading or
writing, she indulges her passion for the theatre, working with local
theatres as a director. She often feels she is directing her
characters on their own private stage.
She
has equated her writing to an addiction to chocolate because once she
starts she just can’t stop.
Find
Jenna online at:
Other
Books by Jenna Jaxon:
Betrothal--Historical
Romance
Only
Scandal Will Do--Historical Romance
7
Days of Seduction--Contemporary Erotic Romance
Almost
Perfect--Contemporary Erotic Romance
Hog
Wild--Contemporary Erotic Romance
An interesting post that I enjoyed reading.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Love love, Andrew. Bye.