Snippet Sunday: DISCIPLINING THE DUCHESS

Hello dear readers! As you know this is release week for my latest historical, Disciplining the Duchess. The official release date is Feb. 28 but it might be available after Tuesday. It will be available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, and All Romance ebooks. Smashwords will also distribute it to places like the Apple Store, Sony Bookstore, Kobo, etc, although you may have to wait a little longer.

In the meantime, here’s one last snippet to get you excited. If you don’t know the background of the story, you can read a blurb for it here. (click!) Suffice it to say, Harmony and her duke are not, on the surface, a perfect match, but when they get together, something happens… This scene takes place one night after dinner, shortly after their marriage. I love Harmony’s innocent flirtation, while Court is doing everything in his power not to throw her down and ravish her.

I think all my pervy readers will love this book!

     “Grand and tall, am I?” he said, his fingers teasing at the curve of her waist.

     “Yes.” She laughed, a light, pretty sound. “You know very well that you are. You make such a fine figure when you are all dressed for dinner in your handsome coat and neckcloth.” Her hands traced up again to rest on either side of his collar. She studied his neckwear, her forehead crinkling with those familiar lines. “Is it you who ties them so beautifully, and puts in these little pins?”

     “No, it is my man,” he said, his voice gone slightly raspy. “My valet.”

     “Would he teach me how? I should like to be able to do such a thing, to arrange your collars and cravats.” She leaned to brush her cheek against his neck and almost lost her balance. His arm came around her waist to steady her, though he himself was quickly losing grasp of his control. The savage was awakening, beckoned by her slightly parted lips, the possessive approval in her gaze.

     “You are not to fraternize with my valet,” he managed to say. “Duchesses do not need to learn how to tie cravats.”

     She frowned. “Even yours?”

     “Stay away from my valet. You are far too curious. Next you would be asking how to shave me and how to polish my boots.”

     She scratched her fingertips through his evening stubble. “I should love to shave you, Court. I really should.”

     “I’m afraid that is an absolute no.” He kissed her on her pout, tightening his arm around her waist.

     “But I love this part of you. Your rough, strong jaw and your neck.” Her fingers traced down to the sides of his collar, just below his ears, then up to linger beneath his chin. He had never imagined marriage like this, with teasing talk and affectionate touches. “I remember the first time I saw you in your formal clothes,” she said, staring into his eyes. “You walked into the Darlingtons’ drawing room and stood and looked around, and you appeared so steadfast and haughty.”

     “Haughty, Harmony?” He struggled to swallow. “I am not haughty.”

     “Sometimes you are. That night, you were haughty and dark and tall, and so very handsome, and very forbidding. All the ladies noted it. When you dress for dinner I always think of that night. When I see you like this…” Her hands were back to teasing at the folds of his cravat. “I…I do not know what comes over me. I have the most…unladylike…thoughts.”

     Court came to a slow and bemused realization. His wife was trying to seduce him—whether intentionally or innocently, he did not know. He did not care.

     “Untie it,” he said in a low voice.

Oh my gosh, the duke does it for me in a big way. And yes, he does go on to ravish her. This is an Annabel Joseph book after all!

Anyway…be on the lookout for Disciplining the Duchess and if you can, spread the word for me! Thanks for your patience between releases, and for all your encouragement and support.