A Duke Worth His Salt
Allison Merritt
Release Date: February
5, 2016 (As part of the Once Upon A Regency box set)
Length: Novella
Heat Rating: 3
Genre: Historical Romance, Regency
Blurb:
Lady Eleanor
never doubts her father's love, but when he suffers a head wound and forgets
his middle daughter, it thrusts her into a world of uncertainty. He orders her
out of his house, and she flees to the family estate in Sussex. Intent on being
useful, she disguises herself as a shepherdess named Leah. She never expects to
be charmed by the lord next door. Lord Daniel Goodwin seeks solitude to write a
novel, but really desires access to the estate next door, where some of his
fondest memories were made. He intends to coax Lady Eleanor into giving him
what he wants, but the stubborn woman won't see him. Instead, he befriends shy
Leah. When her future is in danger, he uncovers her secrets which are nearly as
troubling as his own. He would gladly take Leah as his mistress, but can he
take Lady Eleanor as his wife to protect her after he vowed never to marry?
Based on the
french fairy tale The Dirty Shepherdess.
Excerpt:
“Have
you had much contact with the mistress of Lanthrop Downs? I hear she's
mysterious. Won't allow a single visitor.”
“She's...reclusive.
In any case, it's not my place to seek her out. I watch her flock.” Her heart
pounded an uneasy rhythm.
“Keep
them away from the stinking bogs so I don't have to return to dig out more.
Jem, that fire.”
“Yes,
Your Grace.” Jem set about gathering the driest kindling.
Goodwin
placed the ewe on the ground. It didn't attempt to run, just lay placidly while
it shivered.
“Stupid
blasted creatures. I understand the appeal of the money the wool brings, but I
cannot picture raising them for a living.” Goodwin folded his arms. “Standing
out in this weather to make sure they do not come to any harm is a fool's
errand.”
“A
necessary evil.” She retrieved her basket, then lifted a jug from it. “There is
hot mulled cider. Betty made it. You should have some to warm yourself.”
“Lady
Eleanor wouldn't approve of your gesture.”
Eleanor
kept her eyes averted. “You might be surprised. After all, you did save her
animals from certain death.”
He
uncorked the jug. “For that, she should grant me a favor. Wouldn't you agree?”
“What
sort of favor?” Wary, she took a step back.
“Supper
with her would do. Tell her. I will await my invitation. Or if she has no
desire to grant me access to Lanthrop House, she's invited to Glassodder any
time.” He took a long drink from the jug.
“I
will tell her, Your Grace, but I hope you won't be disappointed when she
rejects your proposals.” Beneath her woolen clothing, sweat beaded at her
neckline. Why won't you give up?
He
passed the jug to her. “You may tell your mistress that if she rejects my
offer—either of them—that I shall ride my horse right into her house and let
him stomp about until she comes to meet me.”
Eleanor
swallowed the lump in her throat. “Why are you so set on seeing her? What could
she possibly have that interests you?”
“We
met once. Not so long ago. I am merely curious about how I offended her. And I
should like to discuss her father's health.”
“I
would help if I could, but I know nothing of his lordship nor Lady Eleanor's
reasons for turning you away. It's best not to distract her. She badly wants to
restore Lanthrop Downs to its former glory.”
“One
evening away from her task couldn't hurt,” he muttered.
“I
will tell her, Your Grace. Perhaps she will have a moment of pity.”
“Pity?”
He tilted his head. “I am not one to be pitied, girl. If anyone deserves pity,
it's Lady Eleanor. Trying to restore this place. She would be better off to
convince her father to sell it. And Lord Aldshire, sending a girl here to do
his work. What sort of madness is that?”
“Do
not talk about my--” She bit the tip of her tongue. “About my employer that
way. He is doing his best. Lady Eleanor is smart and capable.”
“Loyal
to a fault, but saucy. You are a handful, Leah.” He cupped her face and tipped
her chin up. “Quite lovely too.”
Her
whole body shook as warmth from his hand coursed through her. “I am nothing
special, Your Grace.”
“Goodwin.”
His eyes sparkled. “Let's be friends. If you do not think your lady will have
an issue with it.”
Her
breath rushed out in a plume. “I couldn't speak for her, though friendship may
not be the wisest course.”
“Lady
Eleanor would never need know what happened between us while you played
nursemaid to her sheep.” A wicked grin complimented the glow of his eyes.
Her
watery legs were near useless. What he suggested without saying outright was
something more than friendship. “I do not need that sort of friend.”
“You
read me wrong, sweet Leah.” He dropped his hand from her face. “My greatest
desire is the company of a well-spoken young woman. I haven't seen anyone
beyond my staff and those at Lanthrop Downs in a solid month.”
“You
could have the company of anyone. Couldn't you, Your Grace?”
“Goodwin.”
She
dropped her gaze again. “Yes, of course.”
“I
could, but I desired solitude for a time and I dread the trip to London. I
could invite others here, but they would break my isolation while begging to be
entertained.”
“Why
is it that you need quiet time away from your peers?” She shouldn't have asked,
but curiosity drove her. She'd been too long away from her own friends and
family.
“They
will spoil the hours I spend in my study and my riding time. Or haven't you
noticed I like to ride? I have seen you out here, and I know you watch.”
Mortified
heat made her toes curl. “Your horse is very beautiful. It is difficult not to
notice him.”
“True,
but is that all you notice?” He smirked.
The
preening peacock. As though she had nothing better to do than watch him parade
around on horseback.
Bio:
A love of
reading inspired Allison Merritt to pursue her dream of becoming an author who
writes historical, paranormal, contemporary, and fantasy romances, often
combining the sub-genres. She lives in a small town in the Ozark Mountains with
her husband and dogs. It's not unusual to find her lurking in graveyards,
wandering historical sites, or listening to ghost stories.
Allison
graduated from College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Missouri with a B.A. in
mass communications that's gathering dust after it was determined that she's
better at writing fluff than hard news.
Links:
Facebook - http://facebook.com/allisonmwries
Twitter - http://twitter.com/allison_merritt
Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/allisonmwrites
Buy Link:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1kUnFkx
B&N: http://goo.gl/S295aT
Thank you so much for hosting Allison Merritt and Once Upon A Regency!!
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome! :)
DeleteAllison, loved the excerpt! Janet, let me add my thanks to Amanda's for hosting all of us in Once Upon A Regency! More hugs to you, Meara.
ReplyDelete