Drawn together by love, but separated by war, Lord William Forbes and Lady Alexandra Wells must overcome their political differences and those who conspire against them to find true happiness with one another.
The first time Lady Alexandra Wells sees William Forbes she doesn’t know he is the Earl of Langford, the man responsible for the destruction of her family’s home. On opposite sides of the English Civil War, the two meet at the trial of King Charles and find themselves instantly attracted to one another. The next time Alexandra sees him, William is wounded and she must save his life. But when she learns his true identity she is torn between anger and humiliation, and vows she will never see the handsome earl again.
William, on the other hand, would do anything to save Alexandra the pain inflicted by England’s war, even if it means making a political marriage to save her from transportation.
Excerpt
Disgusted William Forbes, the second Earl of Langford, watched Lord Castleleigh move his sister and hide her from his view. He recognized her as his sibling for they looked too much alike. The brown curling hair, the creamy complexion, and the blue eyes. Only hers were a deeper shade than his.
William had noticed the girl the moment she stepped into the gallery, unable to take his gaze from her. He observed her when she moved to the railing and again when she went to stand by her brother. Never in his twenty-six years had he seen a woman who intrigued him as she did. Her breathtaking beauty overwhelmed him. Her blue gown with its gray underskirt, appeared old and worn, but at one time had been the height of fashion. The square, lace edged neckline accentuated her perfectly molded breasts and the stomacher showed off her narrow waist to perfection. Her slender neck bore no necklace. Being a Royalist her family had probably lost all of their wealth. William decided if she adorned her neck with jewels it would detract from its beauty.
She dressed her light brown hair in a knot at the top of her head. Golden highlights glinted in the sun streaming through the windows, giving the tresses a blond appearance. Locks ringed her face in an array of wild curls. William smiled. Doubtless those tresses were supposed to be perfectly formed ringlets that any young woman of good family would wear. They weren’t. They were untamed and carefree, framing her face in softness.
“A pretty piece,” a voice next to him said.
William turned. An older man stood beside him leering at the girl. The stranger wore the somber tones that some Puritans preferred. His shoulder length hair was greasy and streaked with gray. His coat, made of course homespun, hung loose and wrinkled on his thin frame.
“I wouldn’t mind planting myself between her thighs.” The man gave a coarse laugh and licked his lips.
William clenched his jaw. “She is a lady.” He barely contained his fury.
“Bah.” The man spit on the floor barely missing William’s polished boot. “She’s a Royalist whore, only good for rutting with peasants.”
William slammed the stranger against the wall, his hand at the man’s throat
“She is a lady,” William repeated, “and as such, I expect you to refer to her with the respect she is due.”
The stranger’s eyes widened. William’s hand tightened on his windpipe.
“I think ‘tis time you leave, my friend.” William spoke softly, the menace evident in his voice. “I advise you to stay out of my sight and the sight of the lady. Do you understand me?”
William’s captive nodded with short, jerky movements. His eyes bulged.
“Aye sir,” he choked out. “I been thinking ‘tis a good idea for me to head out of here.”
“An excellent thought.”
William released the man, his victim sliding to the floor.
“You might think about leaving London for your health,” William advised, casually brushing imaginary lint off his sleeve. “I would wait for the end of the king’s trial before returning if I were you.”
The man swallowed hard and pushed his way through the crowd. William smiled, watching the hasty retreat.
He turned back toward the girl and leaned against the wall. When his eyes fell on her he saw a vision of beauty and light in a drab world of grays and browns.
Autumn 1940. Germany invades Britain. Newport is blitzed. Danny O’Shea’s house is bombed, his wife is killed. While taking his young son Adam to neutral Ireland, they witness an attack on a German convoy. The result is brutal.
Ireland 1967. The Summer of love. Or was it?
A holiday weekend. Amazing weather. American student Dakota Lacey is hiking around Kerry.
But there’s a sinister, dark side to the atmosphere. Lone female hikers are being brutally attacked.
Book I of Southern Swallow Series – 12th Century scholar Li K'ai-men takes command of his first official assignments during a time of political unrest and barbarian invasions.
