by Grace Elliot
Historical (Regency) Romance
Publisher: Self/Indie
Release Date: July 14, 2013
Heat Level: Steamy
Length: 300 pages
Available at:
Amazon (US) - http://amzn.to/13CxrN1
Description:
Charles Huntley, Lord Ryevale, infamous rogue…and government agent.
In unsettled times, with England at war with France , Ryevale is assigned to covertly protect a politician’s daughter, Miss Verity Verrinder. To keep Verity under his watchful eye, Ryevale plots a campaign of seduction that no woman can resist– except it seems, Miss Verrinder. In order to gain her trust Ryevale enters Verity’s world of charity meetings and bookshops…where the unexpected happens and he falls in love with his charge.
When Lord Ryevale turns his bone-melting charms on her, Verity questions his lordship’s motivation. But with her controlling father abroad, Verity wishes to explore London and reluctantly accepts Ryevale’s companionship. As the compelling attraction between them strengthens, Verity is shattered to learn her instincts are correct after all – and Ryevale is not what he seems. If Lord Ryevale can lie, then so can she…but with disastrous consequences.
Warning: This title is intended for readers over the age of 18 as it contains adult sexual situations and/or adult language, and may be considered offensive to some readers.
About the Author:
Grace Elliot leads a double life as a veterinarian by day and author of historical romance by night. Grace lives near London and is passionate about history, romance and cats! She is housekeeping staff to five cats, two sons, one husband and a bearded dragon (not necessarily listed in order of importance). “Verity’s Lie” is Grace’s fourth novel.
Connect with Grace Elliott
Website - http://graceelliot.wix.com/grace-elliot
Newsletter - http://bit.ly/V7T6Jd
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/Grace_Elliot
Amazon Author Page - http://www.amazon.com/Grace-Elliot/e/B004DP2NSU/
Excerpt 1
But as Verity circled the
exhibit, she began to think her father was right after all. Was it not sad to see these dignified animals
consigned to collect dust, in the name of entertainment? She turned to Miss Mowlam to make this
remark, only to find her companion shifting from foot to foot and clutching her
belly.
“Miss Mowlam? Are you unwell?”
Her chaperone frowned. “Excuse me, Miss Verrinder, but I must find a
place of easement and quickly.”
“Shall I come with you?”
Such was Miss Mowlam's haste that
she answered with a flap of the hand and was gone. Verity was torn; it was irregular to be
without a chaperone, but Miss Mowlam would not welcome a witness to her
discomfort. As her ample derriere had
already disappeared back the way they came, it seemed to stay put was the best
option, so that Miss Mowlam could find her again.
The elephant's sad eye made her
uncomfortable, so Verity investigated the cabinets. But as she turned, a figure caught her
eye. Even with his back turned and
leaning forward to inspect an exhibit, there was no mistaking the powerful shoulders
and graceful elegance of Lord Ryevale.
The hall suddenly shrank in size and her heart catapulted against her
ribs. She swallowed hard. What if he saw her, what should she do?
Without a chaperone she felt exposed. This panic felt most peculiar; a jumble
of excitement and caution.
Verity drifted to one of the
cabinets to better study him covertly.
No one else filled a jacket quite so well as Lord Ryevale. A curl of dark hair contrasted with his white
stock, and the detail thrilled her. Even
the arrogant tilt of his head befuddled her thoughts—such a handsome profile;
the jut of his chin, the curve of his lips and the hollowed cheeks that evoked
an insistent beat in her chest.
To her horror, Ryevale glanced
towards her, then turned away. Her
fingers curled into her palms in an agony of embarrassment. Had he seen her looking? Clumsily, she
feigned interest in a stuffed puffin.
She held her breath, but when no one approached she let it out
again. She frowned. Instinctively, she knew he was ignoring
her. After a minute, the seconds
measured by her racing pulse, she permitted herself another glance.
He had moved onto the next
cabinet.
Verity froze. Her skin still sang from where his eyes had
grazed it; beyond a doubt he had seen her, which meant he had deliberately cut
her. How dare he! This man who seduced a
married woman in her father's library refused to acknowledge a respectable
lady! If anyone was to cut the other it
would be her.
Without pausing to consider the
wisdom of her actions, Verity stalked across the hall and tapped him on the
shoulder.
“Lord Ryevale, why did you
pretend not to see me?”
With suave nonchalance, Ryevale
bowed. “Ah, Miss Verrinder, delightful
as ever.”
“Why did you ignore me?”
“I did no such thing.”
“I don’t believe you.”
One corner of his mouth twitched
into a teasing smile. “Perhaps I was
thinking of your reputation. After all,
being seen in the company of a rogue is not the done thing.”
Of course he was right, which
only irritated Verity more because it hadn't occurred to her. Stubbornly, she pressed on. “Miss Mowlam is escorting me...and will
return any second.”
“Glad to hear it.” He pursed his mouth, which made Verity
unexpectedly hot between the breasts. “Why
did she leave you alone?” Was it her
imagination or did he seem concerned?
“A call of nature.”
“Ah. And you didn’t think to go with her?”
Verity spluttered. “I am an adult. I can take care of myself.”
“I did not imply
differently—merely that you never know which unsavory character you may bump
into.” He raised an ironical brow.
“Touché. So what are you doing here?”
Ryevale hesitated. “Have you considered that I might have an
assignation with a young lady?”
“Oh!”
His eyes were such a rich deep brown—darker
than cocoa and deeper than sherry—that made her quiver inside, and at that
moment she hated him very much indeed.
“Miss Verrinder, if you recall,
you approached me.”
“Humph.” Infuriating man, now he implied she couldn’t
keep away.
“But now you have sought me out,
and it seems my friend has forsaken me, perhaps we could call a truce and
examine the exhibits together.”
“That's not a good idea.” A voice nagged in her head, saying that
Ryevale's company was not appropriate, especially as he addled her judgment so.
“Come now, I am a family friend,
and your father would not be happy if I left you without an escort. I promise to go when your chaperone returns.”
It seemed churlish to
refuse. “Very well.”
“Besides, I enjoy your company.”
Remembering how she despised
women who were easily flattered, Verity fought off the urge to blush.
“You are allowed to enjoy
yourself, Miss Verrinder. I have a
theory that you don’t get much opportunity for smiling.”
What else had he guessed? This man was dangerous. “Let's walk.”
Verity said, “People are looking.”
“Are you surprised?” his velvet
tone teased. “I have something of a
reputation, don’t you know?”
GIVEAWAY INFO:
Prize is 3 eBook copies (1 each to 3 winners) of
"Verity’s Lie (The Huntley Trilogy #3)" from Grace Elliot.
Contest is tour-wide, open internationally and ends August 27.
Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.
Grace, welcome to a new week on your tour! I was very interested to find out you were a vet in your day life and an author in your night life. I'm an animal lover too. My beloved Maggie, a Yorkie, was a retirement gift for me from my family in 2010. I had wanted a small dog for some time but decided to wait until I was retired because of the training, etc. She is my constant companion and such a sweetie. She hates squirrels with a passion, but the rest of her demeanor is not terrier-like at all. She's a cuddler and her little bed is smack dab in between hubby and my pillows. :-) Continue to have fun and success in your "double" life. jdh2690@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the excerpt. thanks so much for sharing.
ReplyDelete