The
Soldier’s Woman
by
Kelly Lyonns
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE:
Historical Romance - Regency
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
It
is 1810 somewhere in the chaos of war-ravaged Napoleonic Portugal.
Miss Charlotte Everslea, dedicated member of an ancient secretive
Guild and skilled paranormal artefacts hunter, has found herself
trapped behind enemy lines. Colonel Maximillian Bladewood is used to
giving orders and having them obeyed, both on and off the
battlefield. But the petite golden-haired hoyden, to whose accidental
intervention he owes his life, challenges both his authority and his
sanity. Their cross-purposed journey will reach a crossroad where one
or both of them will need to compromise.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt:
When
Charlotte met Maxmillian
He was
still holding her, and she wasn’t quite sure what to do next. There
was a pause as she felt him lean back a little, probably trying to
catch a glimpse of her face. It was extremely silly, but despite
everything she had already faced, she couldn’t look him in the eye,
couldn’t bear him seeing the red puffy proof of her crying.
“I
wish I had a handkerchief to offer.” The deep quiet voice above her
head paused, “Sadly, mine are with my dress uniform in a supply
wagon, somewhere on the other side of this battlefield I should
think.”
She was
grateful for his attempt to invoke the humour and even a little
civility to their situation.
“I
most sincerely apologise, Sir.” Heavens above, her voice came out
as a wavering snuffle. She could absolutely not look up.
He
neither moved nor answered for some long moments. She felt a little
trill of something like panic building in her chest. When he did
speak, the words were all gentleness, despite the dust roughened
rasp.
“It is
of no consequence Madam. I think that we find ourselves in an unusual
situation.” He cleared his throat before adding quietly, “I have
seen strong men break down and weep after a battle. There is no shame
in this.”
The
little alarm that had been building evaporated. She still stood
inside his arms. He had made no attempt to release her, but then
neither had she made any sign that she wished it. Suddenly realising
she needed to do exactly that, she stiffened in his arms and gave the
barest push with her hands. Was it her imagination, or was there a
moment of hesitation before he let her go? With an unsettling mix of
relief and regret she stepped away, head averted to avoid his gaze.
She was glad there was no witness to their strange introduction. What
an impression she was making.
“Nevertheless,
I apologise for such a display.”
“Please
do not berate yourself for such a social lapse. Not here… in this
Godless place.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR
Bio and Links:
After
earning a living as a freelance environmental scientist, writer and
editor, Kelly Lyonns has evolved into a creative writer. She
cohabitates with three cats, two children and a husband in a house so
packed with character even the termites live next door. Burning
questions about ecological sustainability and how to tie a Regency
bodice, keep her on the internet deep into the night.
She
enjoys tea, meditating, Jane Austen, solar punk, science fiction,
sculpting and science. She frequently succumbs to the need to write.
She rarely succumbs to the need to vacuum.
Connect
with Kelly at:
Website:
http://kalyonnswrites.weebly.com/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/KellyLyonnsAuthor/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/kellylyonns
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