I looked down at my calendar this morning and realized that, round about this time in 1784, things were getting interesting for my characters. =) Within a day or two of this date, my hero had finally tracked down and come face to face with my heroine after a tense separation–and she had made her opinions on this action of his very well known.
The result was the scene snippet that was up on Shannon Vannatter’s romance blog last week, and I thought I’d share it today since it’s kind of a “This Day in Annapolis“ sort of thing . . . and because I need to get cracking on some editorial duties this morning. 😉
Speaking of which, WhiteFire’s next title is only 11 days away from its digital release, and the print version is available for pre-order on Amazon! Walks Alone is an amazing historical romance that will intrigue, surprise, and delight you as you journey with a determined immigrant from Holland as she makes her way to Denver City . . . and straight into a band of wild Cheyenne. =)
Now for that snippet . . .
from Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland
the blanket off her shoulders and folded it with a series of sharp,
angry motions.
“This particular anger is more for Wiley than me, isn’t it? I had
no way of knowing you did not intend me to read it. So if you would
like me to deliver you home to Williamsburg so you can berate him—”
“I will stay right here, thank you.”
there was stony determination beneath it. “You mean it. Even
knowing how your family misses you—”
my wishes and canceled the wedding plans, then I would not have to
stay away.”
chin, the fierce burning in her eyes. She would not be budged. Which
meant he had two choices. He could give up and go home, convince
their families the betrothal was off. If he chose that option, then
he would in effect being saying good-bye to her once and for all.
Giving her her wish, which might be the gentlemanly thing to do.
hair, and her eyes shone like moonstone. Her dress hung in total
disarray, but her spine was straight and strong.
cast his lot on the second option. “If you will not come home, then
I shall stay here.”
heard him correctly. “You…why in the world would you do that?”
“Because if you are the woman I begin to see you must be, then you
are worth the world.”
tears in her eyes, but then she averted them, and he couldn’t be
sure it was anything more than a reaction to the whiff of smoke from
the chimney. Her hands fisted at
lovely words, Emerson. But it is too late. Go or stay, it is no
concern of mine.”
leave, my dear, I shall stay.”
British lady, she picked up her coffee and took a long drink. “Enjoy
the town.”
than ever before. Given the company.”
company you have in mind, but I promise you it shan’t be mine.”
grin. “Then I suppose you shall stay hidden in Randel House?
Because I assure you, darling, I still have friends enough in
Annapolis that if you step out to a ball or fete, I will have secured
an invitation to it as well.”
liked to dash the cup to the ground. Instead she raised her chin.
“Very well. Enjoy the holiday celebrations too. But if you call me
‘darling’ again, ’tis the plank for you.”
could stop it. “You have pirates among your new acquaintances?”
him with a smirk of her own, leaning close enough to say, “And
Cap’n Mobcap’s not one to be trifled with.”
see his lopsided smile. Getting to know Lark Benton might be the most
enjoyment he’d had in ages.
Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.
Smiling as I "relive" this scene again.
Congratulations on both the upcoming release and on LFY in Annapolis, Maryland! Diana Flowers really enjoyed this new book by Sandi Rog, too.