The Duke Who Came to Town
The Honorable Scoundrels by Sophie Barnes Publication Date: November 21, 2017 Genres: Adult, Historical, RomanceExcerpt:
Josephine
waited until the coach carrying her youngest sister, Eve, out to the Great West
Road had turned a corner, disappearing from sight. She then wrapped her shawl
tighter around her shoulders and started making her way back toward the
townhouse they’d shared with their other sister, Louise, until yesterday. The
place would be empty now with both sisters away. Eve had been invited to visit
with a friend for the holidays, while Louise had gone to Whitehaven in the
northern part of the country to become a governess to three young children.
Some
extra income would certainly be welcome. Josephine wasn’t sure how much longer
she would be able to cover their expenses on her own. The townhouse, alone,
took most of her wages, while food and clothing swallowed the rest. It was a
struggle, but to accept defeat and relocate to humbler lodgings was out of the
question. Already, they’d had to give up the status their Mayfair home and
country estate had once afforded them. As the great-granddaughters of an earl,
they’d enjoyed a comfortable position in society—until their father had
squandered it all in a downward spiral of drink and depression.
Pushing
the unpleasant memories as far back as they would go, Josephine determined to
focus on the future. The townhouse wasn’t the only thing at stake. There were
also Eve’s prospects and their reputations. While Josephine and Louise had
resigned themselves to working for a living, they both hoped Eve might still be
able to enjoy the Season they’d been denied, that she might marry well, and
that her life might be a little easier and happier than what they faced. There
would be no large dowry, only the meager sum Josephine had managed to put aside
during the last year since their father’s death: a few wages here, a bit of
pawned jewelry there.
Turning
onto Vine Street, Josephine bowed her head against the gust of wind sweeping
toward her. She’d used the last firewood that morning and would have to see
about buying more –yet another cost eating away at her income. But this was
England, and they were only in December. It would be several months before
she’d be able to forego heating. Unless she wished to get sick and not only
risk losing her job but also having to pay the exorbitant fee of seeing a
doctor. To do so was not an option, so when she spotted a woman with firewood
strapped to her back, Josephine crossed the street and made her approach. “How
much for three pieces?” It was all she could carry.
“Thirty
pence, love.”
Swallowing
the bitterness of surrendering the sum, Josephine exchanged the coins for the
wood and resumed walking, pushing through the wind as it whipped her skirts
around her legs.
She
was almost at her door before she noticed the carriage parked at the side of
the road. The two black horses hitched to the front of it silently watched her
progress. Giving them a wary glance, Josephine balanced the firewood in one arm
so she could retrieve her key from her pelisse pocket.
Her
face burned with cold and she took a step forward, prepared to seek refuge
indoors, when the carriage door opened and a tall, broad-shouldered figure
stepped down onto the pavement. His hair was black beneath his beaver hat, his
features matching the harsh winter climate. Eyes as dark as night caught hers,
and his jaw immediately set with distinct determination.
“Miss
Potter?” He shoved the carriage door shut and strode toward her. The wind
caught the hem of his somber greatcoat, forcing it out behind him in jerky
movements.
Josephine
raised her chin. “Who wants to know?”
0 Σχόλια