Here's excerpt #4 from my upcoming release,
An Infamous Marriage. This week we're in February 1815, and our hero and heroine are seeing each other again for the first time in five years. (They've been married all that time, but Jack has been in Canada with the army.)
“Is Lady Armstrong at home?” Jack asked with careful carelessness.
“I’m right here.”
Jack spun on his heel and almost tumbled on his backside into the wintry muck. So much for the element of surprise. She’d got the advantage of him after all.
The woman who stood ten feet away at the edge of the stable yard was nothing at all like he’d spent the last five years imagining.
I love the contradiction of "careful carelessness", it says a lot. I really hope that his new impression of Elizabeth is better than he imagined while he was away!
ReplyDeleteOh, it's much better--he's only seen her when she was coming out of years of stress and borderline poverty, and lost in deep grief. She's gained maturity, confidence, and a few curves that weren't there five years ago. ;-)
DeleteA very vivid six there.
ReplyDeleteFascinating, can't wait to see how she differs from his memory of her! Terrific six!
ReplyDeleteHe's only seen her at her worst before this, and he's already realizing just how wrong he was.
DeleteSounds like the haven't even exchanged miniatures.
ReplyDeleteA miniature wouldn't have captured this particular transformation--it's more attitude, maturity, and confidence than physical, though she *is* a bit curvier than she used to be, which, being a breast man, he appreciates. ;-)
DeleteGood on her for the surprise! And I love that he's the one taken aback by her appearance. Quite the intriguing six this week!
ReplyDeleteThis was a fun scene to write.
DeleteHeh heh. Sounds like she's grown up.
ReplyDeleteWell, it's more an internal change that show in how she moves, talks, and carries herself than anything else, but he likes it. ;-)
DeleteI like that she got the upper hand! It will be interesting to see what happens next. :)
ReplyDelete"Careful carelessness" is quite the intriguing turn of phrase! Best wishes for your upcoming release! Great cover, btw!
ReplyDeleteGreat hook ending for the six. Had me wanting to know more. Great six.
ReplyDeleteI love careful carelessness too. What a great phrase. You've got me hooked, can't wait to see what you post next week.
ReplyDeleteWhat a interesting meet! Love the last line.
ReplyDeleteI can visualize this scene perfectly from his "careful carelessness' to his noticing how she's changed. Great six!
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