Linda has news, both happy and sad…

This month sees the publication of my latest historical romance, and it’s a cracker!

Sadly, it is also my final book for Harlequin/Mills & Boon

As you may have heard, Harlequin / Mills & Boon are closing their Historicals line next year. I cannot deny it is a very sad moment for those of us who enjoy reading (and writing) these feel-good romances set in the past.

But enough melancholy, more about the final book!

Rescued by the Rakish Lord…

foggy exmoor, riders in mist picture SM

…is a sparkling Georgian romance set on the edge of Exmoor in winter. The wild uplands can seem very bleak in the darkest months of the year, as you can see from the pictures in my blog about my West Country Tour. It is a setting that lends itself to a romantic adventure involving a spirited lady, a handsome hero and a dastardly villain!

Selina Wynter is happy living in a small market town on the edge of the moors, where she looks after her ailing father and manages his household and estates. Lord Deveril is a London buck with a fearsome (and unwarranted) reputation as a rake. Sparks fly when he encounters a fiery tavern maid, and he is intrigued when he discovers her real identity – “All the breeding and accomplishments of a lady, but the temper and spirit of a tavern wench!”

If you want a taster –

I have included a short extract below. Grab a cuppa and dive in!

Here’s a little bit to set the scene….

The Torrisford Assembly. Selina believes, wrongly, that Lord Deveril has made a bet with his friends that he can seduce her and she is determined to avoid him. However, when Deveril’s dance partner tears her gown, Mr Keith, the master of ceremonies suggests Deveril should dance with Selina. And Deveril knows he cannot refuse without giving offence…

Excerpt from Rescued by the Rakish Lord

‘Miss Wynter, I pray you will take pity on his lordship,’ exclaimed Mr Keith, with an entreating smile. ‘An unfortunate occurrence has robbed him of his partner.’

She barely heard him. She was so surprised that she could only stare at the tall, handsome figure before her. Her mind was beset by irrelevant details, such as the fact that Lord Deveril’s dark coat and matching breeches were not black, as she had originally thought, but a very dark green. The frock coat fitted perfectly across shoulders that were broad and straight. A white silk waistcoat covered the flat plane of his stomach and the dark breeches clung smoothly to his muscular thighs, while snow-white clocked stockings and soft black dancing pumps completed the ensemble. The thought flickered into her head, quite irrationally, that he was the embodiment of a dream.

Selina felt her mouth go dry and found herself wishing that she had another broom in her hands for protection. Do not be so foolish, Selina. What harm can he do you here?

She dragged her eyes upwards, but could not quite bring herself to look into his face. She fixed her eyes on the ribbon of his quizzing glass, which he had tucked inside his waistcoat, then fixed her gaze on the emerald pin nestled into the snowy folds of his cravat. She should refuse. She wanted to do so, but in the back of her mind was the memory of that night at the White Horse. He was already angry with her, if he chose, he could ruin her with a word.

Well, this is a pretty fix, thought Deveril. The lady was as reluctant to dance as he was, but they were trapped by etiquette. He could not slight her by walking away, although the lady looked as if she might well refuse him. A wry smile tugged at his mouth. That would be a new and salutary experience, but he would survive.

He put out his hand. ‘Miss Wynter. I would be honoured if you would dance the next with me.’ Selina swallowed and forced herself to meet his eyes. Tiny devils frolicked in their black depths. It is only the reflection of the candlelight. Stop being such a ninny!

She was all too aware that Helena was watching them with a lively interest. To hesitate too long or blush now would be sure to draw attention. Politely she inclined her head and he took her hand, pulling her fingers onto his arm and escorting her back onto the dance floor.

She said, ‘I thought you were dancing this with Mrs Allen.’

‘The lady had a slight accident with her gown and went off to mend it.’

She glanced at him, her brow creased with suspicion, but his voice and his countenance were perfectly innocent. Not that she thought him innocent. Not for a moment! The musicians struck up the familiar tune and she turned her mind to the steps she needed to perform. Not for the world would she let anyone see how much this man discomposed her.

Selina had to admit she had rarely danced with such an accomplished partner. He moved with such grace and assurance it was impossible not to enjoy oneself. It was, after all, merely a country dance and in full view of all her friends. Nothing improper.

Fancy dress ball, Bath Assembly Rooms. Thomas Rowlandson, public domain. Wikimedia Commons

And yet, it felt like so much more. When he took her hand, Selina’s skin burned and a delicious tingle ran through her. She was obliged to remind herself that Lord Deveril was nothing more than a charming rake. If everything she had heard about him was true, he had had many mistresses and broken dozens of hearts. Surely, knowing all that would ensure she did not risk losing her own? She was, after all, five-and-twenty, not a giddy schoolgirl. Even though that was exactly how she felt when she was dancing with him!

All too soon the final bars of music were played, everyone came to a stand and Selina curtsied to her partner. There was no denying she felt elated, joyous, which made her disappointment all the greater when Lord Deveril made no attempt to secure a second dance.

Silently she allowed him to escort her across the room to the benches, where her father was sitting with the Kentons. Papa had not yet met Deveril Blackbourne and Selina was steeling herself to perform the introduction when Sir Alfred jumped up and she was relieved of her duty. While the gentlemen conversed together, Selina sank down on the bench beside Lady Kenton and strove to regain her composure. She would not have stood up with Lord Deveril if Mr Keith had not made it impossible to refuse, so why on earth did she feel so disappointed that he had only danced once with her?

After a few minutes his lordship wandered off and Lady Kenton turned to Selina.

Sarah Siddons, by Thomas Gainsborough, Public Domain, Link

‘So, my dear, you have finally met the notorious Deveril Blackbourne. And you have danced with him, too. It was inevitable I suppose, since that disgraceful wager is not common knowledge. It would be impossible for you to rebuff the man without giving rise to all sorts of gossip and conjecture.’

‘Yes.’ Selina nodded. ‘However, I am grateful that you told me what he was about.’

Her ladyship hesitated, but could not resist asking, ‘And what do you think of him?’

‘We only stood up together for one country dance.’ Selina tried not to sound peevish about that. ‘One can hardly form an opinion upon that.’

‘Lord Deveril has an abundance of charm,’ remarked her ladyship, a little wistfully.

‘If he is only a fraction as rakish as his reputation, then one would expect him to be attractive.’

‘True, Selina, but alas, very few young ladies understand that. I confess, I am relieved he is not making you the object of his attentions. I expect he has realised you are too sensible to be taken in by his wiles and has decided to call off the bet.’

‘Yes, very likely.’

Selina knew she should be relieved but, inexplicably, she felt incensed. If he was such an accomplished flirt then he would surely know how to make amends for their earlier contretemps. But if he thought one dance was sufficient to put him back in favour, he must be insufferably arrogant.

And that’s it!

I hope you enjoyed this snippet of Selina and Deveril’s story.

Rescued by the Rakish Lord was a joy to write, and now I am revisiting it, I am enjoying it all over again! Since this is my final book for Harlequin/Mills & Boon, I will share a picture of me proudly showing the world my very first one for them, More Than A Governess, published back in 2010.

What a lot of words I have written since then.  And there are more to come.
Watch this space!

Sarah