- #bookbuffet
- 99cents
- Albano-Waite deck
- Alliance: Stellar Romance
- Amber Allure
- Amber Heat
- A Necessary End
- Anna Bayes
- Armchair travels
- Art Nouveau Tarot
- audiobook
- AuthorIsland
- blog hop
- blog tour
- Book Lover's Buffet
- Book Review Club
- Carla Kelly
- Christine Feehan
- Christmas
- Close Encounters with the Night Kind
- cover reveal
- Cups
- Deception
- Diana Rubino
- discounted books
- E.R. Davis
- ebooks
- Egg-cerpt Exchange
- Emperor
- erotica
- erotic romance
- excerpt
- free ebook
- Gay Historical Erotica
- Gay Romance
- giveaway
- Gothic romance
- guest blogger
- Hanged Man
- Hermit
- historical fiction
- historical romance
- holidays
- How To Woo... A Reluctant Bride
- Indie Romance Ink
- interview
- Inventor's Companion
- Jina Bacarr
- Kama Sutra
- Kings
- Lacey Savage
- Lady Elinor's Escape
- Lex Valentine
- Linda McLaughlin
- Lotus Circle
- Lyndi Lamont
- Lyn O'Farrell
- M/M/F menage
- Magician
- Major Arcana
- Marilyn Campbell
- Mdeline Hunter
- Meljean Brook
- Midnight Moon Cafe
- Next Big Thing
- Night Promises
- paranormal
- paranormal romance
- Pentacles
- Quantum Tarot
- Quebec
- Read am E-Book Week
- Rebecca Cook narrator
- Regency romance
- review
- Reviews
- rhinestone handuffs
- Rogue's Hostage
- Sabrina York
- Secret Santa Blog Hop
- self-publishing
- Sensual Wicca
- Servants of the Muse
- sexy romance
- short story
- Smashwords
- Sneak Peek Sunday
- Stealing Heaven
- steampunk
- Sunlight Sucks
- Swords
- Tarot
- Tarot of Marseilles
- technorati.com
- The Iron Duke
- The Romance Studio
- The Scarletti Curse
- The Surgeon's Lady
- Tina Pavlik
- Tonya Callihan
- Tova's Dragon
- travel
- TRS
- Under His Wings
- upcoming
- vampire romance
- vampires
- Victorian era
- Wands
- Word Press
- WordPress themes
- Worth The Risk
- writing
- You Gotta Read Reviews
Posts tagged with 'excerpt'
#SPeekSunday #Rogue’sHostage Ch 2
Welcome back to Sneak Peek Sunday where authors share short, six-paragraph excerpts from their books. Again I’m sharing a snippet from Rogue’s Hostage, my sensual historical romance set in Colonial America during the French and Indian War.
Last Sunday we saw Mara’s first impression of her captor: strong, virile, and dangerous
In this week’s snippet from Chapter 2, she tends his wound:
Jacques watched as the woman walked to the bed, grabbed the bandages in her trembling hands and carried them to the table. She picked up a bucket by the hearth and poured water into a bowl.
“Sit down,” she ordered.
He did as told, amazed at her sudden transformation from terrified victim to willing nurse. Was she up to something? He might be a fool to trust her, but his shoulder burned like hell.
Her hands shook as she cleaned his wound and washed the blood from his arm. Without thinking, he relaxed his guard, lulled by her touch, the soft sound of her breathing near his ear, and her scent… When had he last smelled lavender?
“I see this is not the first time you’ve been injured,” she said suddenly.
Jolted out of his reverie by her words, he grunted and fingered the jagged scar on his right side. It was an all too visible reminder of that morning on the field of honor, nearly eight years ago. At times, it seemed like yesterday. His gut twisted at the memory of cold steel slicing through his flesh. In that moment, his life had been forever changed.
Rogue’s Hostage is available at Amazon, All Romance eBooks, Barnes and Noble and Smashwords. And now available for iPad & iPhone!
And as always, click here to read more Sneak Peek Sunday snippets.
Linda / Lyndi
#SPeekSunday #Rogue’sHostage
Welcome back to Sneak Peek Sunday. Again I’m sharing a six-paragraph snippet from Rogue’s Hostage, my sensual historical romance set in Colonial America during the French and Indian War. Last Sunday Jacques introduced himself to Mara and informed her she was his captive. First the blurb:
His hostage…
In 1758 the Pennsylvania frontier is wild, primitive and dangerous, where safety often lies at the end of a gun. Mara Dupre’s life crumbles when a French and Indian war party attacks her cabin, kills her husband, and takes her captive. Marching through the wilderness strengthens her resolve to flee, but she doesn’t count on her captor teaching her the meaning of courage and the tempting call of desire.
Her destiny…
French lieutenant Jacques Corbeau’s desire for his captive threatens what little honor he has left. But when Mara desperately offers herself to him in exchange for her freedom, he finds the strength to refuse and reclaims his lost self-respect. As the shadows of his past catch up to him, Jacques realizes that Mara, despite the odds, is the one true key to reclaiming his soul and banishing his past misdeeds forever.
In this snippet, we see Mara’s first impression of her captor.
Mara inhaled sharply, panic building inside her. This couldn’t be real. It was all a bad dream. She would wake up soon and tell Emile about it, and they would laugh. And laugh and laugh and… She swallowed the hysteria engulfing her.
“Madame, are you listening to me?”
The Frenchman’s voice, sharp and insistent, demanded her attention. “There is not much time. My companions are not patient men. We must leave soon, but first I want you to bind my shoulder. Where do you keep bandages?”
Her mouth and throat were dry when she swallowed, but she choked out an answer. “The trunk. Under the bed.”
He squatted beside the bed, pulled out the trunk and rummaged through it. She watched his every move, unable to take her eyes off him, alarmed by the physical threat he represented.
He was a tall man who dominated the cabin as Emile never had, and his state of undress revealed nearly every inch of his lean and powerful form. Not only was he bare to the waist, but his breechclout and leggings failed to completely cover his thighs and buttocks. He had a wide-shouldered, rangy body and long, sinewy legs. He looked strong, virile, and dangerous.
Rogue’s Hostage is available at Amazon, All Romance eBooks, Barnes and Noble. and Smashwords.
And as always, click here to read more Sneak Peek Sunday snippets.
Linda / Lyndi
#SPeekSunday Rogue’s Hostage
Welcome back to Sneak Peek Sunday. Today I’m sharing a six-paragraph snippet from Rogue’s Hostage, my sensual historical romance set in Colonial America during the French and Indian War.

In this snippet, my hero Jacques introduces himself to the heroine:
Holding the towel to his shoulder, he walked over and stood by the bed to check on the woman, who was still in a faint. Despite her pallor, he noted that her skin was fine, her nose straight and thin. She had a lower lip just full enough to entice a man to taste it, and a stubborn chin that dared him to try. Under different circumstances…
She was perhaps not as lovely as he’d thought when he first saw her standing in the clearing—her hair, the color of corn silk, shining in the sunlight. Still, she was tall and fair, with slender curves and shapely ankles visible beneath the short skirts of a farm wife.
And now she was a widow. He stared down at the woman and silently vowed to see that no more innocents died today.
The woman gave a soft moan and opened her eyes. When she spotted him, she shrank back against the wall, arms folded defensively across her breast. His gut tightened. He didn’t enjoy terrifying women, but fear should make her easier to control. She had already proven unpredictable.
Terror, stark and vivid, glittered in her eyes. “Who are you?”
“My name is Jacques Corbeau, lieutenant in the army of France. And you are my captive.”
Rogue’s Hostage is temporarily on sale for only 99 cents through the end of the day, a $3.00 savings, at Amazon, All Romance eBooks, Barnes and Noble.
And as always, click here to read more Sneak Peek Sunday snippets.
Linda / Lyndi
Sneak Peek Sunday: Lydia

Welcome to Sneak Peek Sunday. Once again I’m sharing six paragraphs from the beginning of How To Woo… A Reluctant Bride, my sexy historical short story, set in London in June 1885. In last week’s snippet, Evan was caught lusting over his bride-to-be at their engagement party. This week’s mini-excerpt shows Lydia’s reaction to his intent stare, and her mixed feelings about their upcoming union.
Armed with a copy of the Kama Sutra, Evan sets out to seduce his reluctant bride into passionate surrender.
Today’s snippet:
She turned to check her appearance in the drawing room mirror, an excuse to avoid his intense gaze. Earlier her maid had somehow managed to shape her normally long, straight, blonde hair into a curly, fashionable style. It would not last the evening, if experience were any guide, but for the moment it looked good. Her visage stared back, skin wan, eyes wary. What did he think of her appearance tonight? Despite her deep resentment at being forced to wed to save her family from ruin, she couldn’t help but worry what he would think.
“Stop fussing, you look lovely tonight.”
Lydia turned and smiled at her sister Phoebe, who truly was beautiful in her pale pink gown. “As do you.”
“But I am not the one being devoured by a pair of dark eyes.”
Lydia felt a flush on her cheeks. No man had ever looked at her with lust in his eyes, and she found it both alarming and exhilarating. “Then it is not my imagination?”
Phoebe laughed softly. “No, dearest, your intended can barely take his eyes off you. I begin to envy you your merchant prince.”
How To Woo… A Reluctant Bride is available for only 99 cents at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, Kobo and Smashwords. Add to your “to read” shelf at Goodreads or Shelfari.
Click here to read more Sneak Peeks.
Lyndi
Sneak Peek Sunday: Engagement

This is my first time doing a Sneak Peek Sunday. Today I’m sharing six paragraphs from the beginning of How To Woo… A Reluctant Bride, my sexy historical short story, set in London in June 1885. In this snippet, Evan lusts over his bride-to-be at their engagement party.

A marriage contract, nothing more…until darkly handsome Evan Channing and demure Lydia Blatchford meet. Yet the rules are simple for an arrangement such as theirs. There should be no misunderstanding, no illusions of anything more.
Lydia Blatchford wants the kind of love and romance she reads in books. Fortunately, she didn’t specify which book. And her darkly handsome groom has just the right one: the Kama Sutra.
Today’s snippet:
Evan Channing stood next to the fireplace in Lord Blatchford’s parlor and studied his fiancée as she sat on the settee talking to his mother. Lydia Blatchford wore blue tonight, bringing out the color of her pale eyes. She looked beautiful, yet untouchable, in her fashionable silk gown. The low-cut bodice revealed the smooth white skin of her shoulders and a hint of cleavage. The lines of the gown showed off her firm breasts and small waist, and the bustle emphasized her rounded hips.
When she looked up, he smiled at his intended across the room. Her lips curved slightly in answer and a blush stole up her face, adding color to her porcelain complexion before she turned away. Tonight her dark blonde hair had been curled into a fashionable upswept hairstyle, softening her appearance. When he’d met her before, her long mane had been pulled back into a bun. He wasn’t sure the curls suited her, but of course, he’d prefer to see her hair down, spread around her on his bed. His pulse raced at the thought she’d soon be his.
He could hardly wait to peel off her layers of clothing, revealing the woman underneath, her smooth skin and generous curves. Taller and larger boned than most women, she’d fit perfectly against his own lanky frame. Perhaps he’d find an opportunity to steal a kiss tonight. Surely that was allowed to an engaged couple.
“Stop staring.”
Evan started and turned to see Lydia’s brother Harry standing beside him. “Sorry.”
Harry raised a blond eyebrow. “You should be. If you weren’t already betrothed to my sister I’d have to call you out for the way you were undressing her with your eyes.”
How To Woo… A Reluctant Bride is available for only 99 cents at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, Kobo and Smashwords.
Add to your “to read” shelf at Goodreads or Shelfari.
Next week I’ll share Lydia’s reaction to Evan. Click here to read more Sneak Peeks.
Lyndi
Night Promises (Hot Excerpt)
How much do you love a sexy vampire?
My guest today is Tonya Callihan, who is sharing a steamy hot excerpt from her erotic romance, Night Promises, first in the Night Pleasures series. Welcome, Tanya!
Excerpt:
Connor knew she was coming, he could smell her before she opened the door. He was sitting on the couch, legs stretched out, arms spread across the back of the couch.
Kelly caught her breath as she stepped into the room. His eyes were back to light brown; she had never seen them darker than they had been just a moment ago. Did that mean he was hungry for her blood? Did he want sex? One would think that working in this environment she would know. But truth be told, she had never been alone with or this close to a male vampire before.
“Sit down Kelly.” He looked amused. “I’m not going to do anything you don’t want me to do.” That was the safest line he could use.
“Okay.” Kelly sat beside him on the couch and slipped her sandals off. Being on her feet all night, she appreciated the break. “You said we had to talk about my sister.”
“I know what you’re up to.” He wanted to touch her but restrained himself for now.
Kelly looked at him, “You can read minds then?”
“No, thankfully.”
“Then how do you know what I am up to?”
“Micah can read minds. He was here earlier tonight, heard what you were planning to do, and informed me.”
“Why would he inform you?”
He was amazed she wasn’t upset about Micah interrupting her thoughts but wanted to know why Connor needed this info.
“It came up,” he shrugged. “You are stepping into some very dangerous territory. You could get yourself killed.”
“I know that!” she exclaimed, crossing her arms. “But I owe Tammy. She never would have known that vamps existed if it weren’t for me.” Kelly stood and began to pace the small room. “I got my sister killed. Don’t you understand?” She turned to him. “She would still be alive and working if it weren’t for me, Connor.”
He stood. “You cannot blame yourself.” He again resisted the urge to touch her. “It could have happened if she knew about us and it could have happened if she didn’t know,” he tried to assure her.
“I have a strong feeling that a vampire I know, one who comes to my club, is responsible for this. Besides, I don’t need you to babysit me.” She turned for the door, but he beat her to it. “Get out of my way,” she said between gritted teeth.
“No!” This time he did touch her cheek, slightly. “You smell like sunshine.” He leaned closer to her.
“Give me a break. I have guys trying those lines on me every night.” She tried to push him away, but he only grinned.
“I’m stronger than you, Kelly. You can fight me all you want, but I’m not moving.” This time, he placed his thumb on her pulse. “It’s racing,” he whispered. “I can hear it racing every time I’m near you.”
“What’s it like?” Kelly asked, “Being a vampire?”
“Not much difference really, but I can hear sounds miles away, see past the stars, fly above the clouds, and taste every flavor in ones blood, kiss, and body.” He gave her body a glance, down then up again.
“I’ve never been with a vampire,” she blurted.
“Never?” he asked, half-shocked and half-relieved.
“No, never even kissed one.” she laughed at herself.
“Can I ask why?” Connor rubbed his hand down her neck and across the swell of her breasts. He asked the question, but he felt he already knew the answer. He needed to hear her say it.
“Because I only want you,” she confessed taking a step back. “I’m sorry, that was really forward.” She crossed her arms again.
“That’s okay.” He stepped closer to her. “Being forward is a good thing, especially when I don’t have Micah here telling me what you are thinking.”
“Oh,” she laughed a little shakily. “I should probably get back out there.”
“Don’t.” He placed a hand on her stomach to stop her. Connor knew better; he knew he should just let her go. She was better off if he didn’t take from her. Being his mate and being a full moon he could lose control and turn her against her will. He couldn’t do that, not to her.
“Does it hurt?”
“No, it’s very pleasurable for both.” He reached over and dimmed the lights. “Let me pleasure you, Kelly,” he whispered before placing his lips over hers and sucking her bottom lip into his mouth. Then his tongue was dancing with hers. Connor cupped her right breast and felt her nipple come to life under his thumb.
“Oh, wow.” Kelly murmured against his mouth.
“This is just the start,” he promised, pushing her back against the wall. “Just relax,” he soothed, giving her neck an open-mouthed kiss. “I would never do anything to harm you,” he promised.
“I trust you.” She gripped his hips and forced her body to relax when she spotted his fangs.
Connor felt her tense, “I’m going to take you places you’ve never been, Kelly.” He pushed the top of her dress down to find her completely naked and greedily sucked her nipple into his mouth.
Kelly brought her hands up to grip his head and held him closer to her body, letting a moan escape.
After giving the same attention to her other nipple, Connor began kissing his way up her chest to her neck, where her pulse wildly raced, and he quickly pierced her skin. Kelly called out, shouting his name as her body began to shake, the beginning of a wonderful orgasm. She felt the blood flowing out of her body and into his mouth. The thought of him tasting her, every flavor, caused her toes to curl. She moaned and grasped him tighter as her powerful orgasm overwhelmed her body.
“Connor,” she mumbled, “weak,” moaning in pleasure and a bit of pain.
BIO:
Tonya has been writing all of her life. At the age of 13, on Christmas break she snuck one of her mom’s romances from a box brought over by her grandma. The novel she read was ‘Montana Sky’ by Nora Roberts. Once she finished reading that book she knew someday she would to be a published romance author. She has been writing ever since.
Now a single mom she balances her time between her 10 month old son, Mason, writing, work, and the Internet!
Tonya loves to help support some of her favorite authors and is very involved in several street teams and posts book reviews over at her blog!
Her first novel was published in January 2010, Night Promises, the first book in her Night Pleasures series! After a long wait her second book from MuseItUp Publishing, Claimed will be coming out Spring 2013! With hopefully, more releases this year as well.
My Links:
Author FB: https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Author-Tonya-Callihan/155567004477447
Website: http://www.tonyacallihan.weebly.com/
Blog: http://www.tonyasramblings.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/tonyacallihan
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/11898212-tonya
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/masonsmomma12/
Google+
https://plus.google.com/u/0/104988658514193732252#104988658514193732252/posts
Book Reviews: http://www.tonyasbookreviews.blogspot.com
Buy Night Promises:
Secret Cravings Publishing
http://store.secretcravingspublishing.com/index.php?main_page=book_info&cPath=21&products_id=2&zenid=ac9d9b16effcb31fa9370fb8e2b157da
Barnes and Noble
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/night-promises-tonya-renee-callihan/1029632181?ean=9781936653010
———-
Note from Lyndi: You’ll find me at Tonya’s Ramblings today with an excerpt from Rogue’s Hostage.
Egg-cerpt Exchange: Under His Wings

I’m thrilled to welcome Anna Bayes as my guest for the 2013 Egg-cerpt Exchange. She is the author of Under His Wings, a M/M/F menage love story, part of Torquere’s New Year New Experiences line.

Blurb:
Bonnie thought Matt was everything she ever wanted: boyishly charming, understanding and exciting. Then she realized that he had another lover: Sean, an artistic, intensely jealous and handsome man. She tries, and fails to accept herself as the barely tolerated female lover. On New Year’s Eve, she demands a meeting amongst the three. The confrontation sparks dangerous rage, and something else with an entirely different heat level: steamy desire. Can she bring about a reconciliation satisfactory to everyone involved as she surrenders to her passion?
Available from Torquere Press.
Excerpt:
As I stood before my reflection in the mirror this morning, I tried to rehearse my request to Matt. I repeated it many times, looking into my eyes: the round, dark brown pupils returning my gaze unconvincingly. I shook my hair loose, and reasoned with myself again. If all Matt’s talk about my importance is only empty words to keep me, then he is a lying bastard, and I am better off without him. I tried to say it aloud with conviction, but my voice betrayed me; I sounded like a frightened, disappointed little girl. I know logically that I can live without him, but loving him has become such an integral, necessary part of my life; I am not sure I could stop, even if we parted.
5 pm. Matt took my hand as I closed my shop early for the day, kissed it and buried it in the large pocket in his jacket. I love how my hand fits snugly in his; it is as if all my body parts have been tailor-made to suit him, and melt into him. I concentrated on staring at the toes of my boots, mustering up my courage, then I looked squarely into his eyes, and said, “I want Sean to meet me.” I had initially practiced declaring in a crescendo, “I refuse to be hidden like an undignified whore. I am not a filler between Sean and other things in your life. I need him to acknowledge me as a person. I demand his respect,” but this part of the speech became stuck in my throat. Matt looked at me, dumbfounded, until I almost started to believe that I had delivered my full speech, after all. Then he clenched his teeth, tightened his grip on my hand, and said, “Yes, you deserve better than this.”
The taxi ride to his apartment was a blur. The original plan for tonight, it being New Year’s Eve, had been that Matt would spend the early evening with me, then return home to Sean for dinner and to count down to 2013 over sizzling sex. Sean is not there when we arrive at the apartment, and we sit on the sofa to wait. Matt looks frighteningly dashing: his eyes blazing, his whole body tense, clearly deep in thought, preparing for something. He looks up as the sound of keys in the lock announces Sean’s return. “Hey you…” Sean’s lilting voice stops in its tracks as he opens the door wider and sees me seated next to his lover.
Find Anna Bayes at these places:
Blog (http://annabayes.wordpress.com)
Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/author/annabayes)
Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/anna.bayes.author)
Goodreads (http://www.goodreads.com/annabayes)
Manic Readers (http://www.manicreaders.com/annabayes)
Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/anna_bayes)
And today you will find me at Anna’s blog with an “egg-cerpt” from Tova’s Dragon.
And as always, feel free to leave a comment.
Tova’s Dragon: Adult Excerpt
Tova’s Dragon
by Lyndi Lamont
Fantasy / Shapeshifter Erotica
Blurb:
Tova, an earth mage, rejuvenates through sex magic. She’s on a mission, but her magical energy is running low. How is she to know the handsome half-naked man she encounters is not only an outlaw, but a dragonshifter? Talk about hot and steamy sex. And nothing is simple after that…
Kane has always loved Velosian women and their sex magic. Tova’s warmth stirs his passions and her courage touches his heart, but dreads telling her of his true nature. But Tova’s acceptance surprises him. Together, Kane and Tova have the power to save Velosia. If they survive the upcoming battle.
Adult Excerpt:
…With a groan, he broke off the kiss and buried his face against her neck. “I want you, Tova.”
She laughed, as her power inched higher. “Whatever you want, my lord. Tonight I am yours.”
He eased her down onto the bed. His hands roved over her body as he took one nipple in his mouth. His tongue teased the turgid peak, sending bursts of pleasure to her core. She sighed in ecstasy. He turned his attention to the other breast, while his hand delved between her legs. She opened her legs, giving him entrance.
He inserted one leg between hers, his wool breeches scratching her skin. She reached down to try to push them off. “Why are you still wearing those?”
Laughing, he sat up and removed his hose and breeches, as she admired his anatomy. His buttocks were firm and his legs long and muscular, covered with a light coating of black hair. When he was naked, she saw his cock was as impressive as the rest of him, long and fully erect. What a beautiful man he was, and for the moment, he was all hers.
She sat up and reached for him, taking his cock in her hands. A shiver passed through him. She kept her touch light and teasing, running her fingers down the sides of his shaft with one hand while cupping his sac with the other.
“If you keep that up, it will all be over very soon,” he warned.
She looked up into his amber eyes, heavy lidded with desire. “Is this what you want? What will please you most?”
He pushed her down on the bed and followed. “Being inside you.”
She wrapped her arms and legs around him, feeling his arousal against her belly. “Then love me, Kane…”
Genres: Fantasy / Shapeshifter / Fairy Tales / Witchcraft / Magic
Heat Level: 3
Length: Novella (20k words)
Buy Link: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberHeat/TovasDragon.html
Deception: Excerpt from Chapter One
Excerpt:
Feeling at loose ends, he wandered around the periphery of the ballroom, his artist’s eye drawn to the paintings on the walls and the statuettes expertly placed in niches. Whoever owned this place had incredible taste and must have traveled on the continent.
As he was admiring a fine statue of a naked youth, a tall man approached him. Leander eyed the stranger’s costume, a study in black-and-gold satin, with puffed sleeves and a gold ruff. A feathered and gold-trimmed black velvet beret covered his head above a gold mask that covered his entire face. “Good evening,” Leander said. “This is a fine piece of work.”
“It is. Our host has excellent taste.” The man’s voice was muffled a bit, and Leander leaned closer to hear better.
“May I ask who our host is?” he asked.
The man shook his head. “That is not for fools to know.”
Frustrated, Leander shook his head. “This is so confusing. I have no idea what this place is or how I even came to be invited.”
“I do,” the man said cryptically.
Leander frowned. “Do I know you?”
“We’ve met.”
“Did you send me the costume?” He’d racked his brain, trying to figure out who it might have been.
The man nodded his head regally.
“Will I recognize you?”
“I hope so,” the stranger said. “We spent a memorable night together.”
Leander’s heart raced. Could it be the gentleman from the restaurant? The one he’d spent the night with in early January. The one he’d dreamt about for the last two months. Could it really be Rupert?
“Then I must find you when it’s time to unmask,” he said, unwilling to let the man escape again tonight.
The stranger chuckled. “Oh, there will be no unmasking. Too dangerous.”
“I see,” Leander said. That meant there were men here who feared to have their identities revealed. He glanced around the room, wondering who they were: highly placed government officials or judges, perhaps. Or clergymen. Possibly even a prince of the realm. “So we are in good company tonight.”
“Precisely.”
Leander turned back to his companion. “What of you? Do you, too, fear exposure?”
“Only a fool would not.”
Leander made no reply. It was true, though there were many in London who flouted the law, some quite openly.
“But if we cannot unmask, how will I ever know who you are? Will you at least tell me your name?”
“Not here.”
“Then where can we go?” Leander asked, impatient to know who the stranger was.
“The night is young,” the man said mildly. “Do you not wish to stay and party?”
Shocked by his own boldness, Leander answered, “Not if there’s a possibility of a private party.”
“Then come home with me.”
* * *
Rupert held his breath until Leander nodded his agreement. He’d wanted the handsome youth since the moment he’d first seen him in January. He’d fought the impulse to see him again, but images of the lad, so slim and handsome, with his fair hair and blue eyes, had haunted his dreams.
He turned and led the way out of the house, ignoring the merriment around him, pausing only to collect their coats at the door. Leander followed him out into the dark night. Rupert pulled off his hat and the full-face mask, glad to feel the cool air on his face. “That’s better.” The mask had been stifling inside, but necessary.
Leander removed his half-mask and pulled Rupert to where light spilled out of a downstairs window. His gaze searched Rupert’s face. “The man with the green carnation.”
Rupert let out a sigh. He’d been unsure of how the younger man would react to seeing him again. He was no longer a handsome youth, but a man of five-and-thirty, every one of those years limned on his visage. “Then you do remember me.”
Leander reached up to cup his face, flicking a thumb over Rupert’s lips. “I remember you, Rupert,” he said softly.
Rupert grasped Leander’s wrist and turned his head to press a kiss into one palm. “Shall we go?”
They waited until a hansom cab had been summoned. After giving the address of his lodgings, Rupert climbed in, leaving room for the younger man beside him. Once inside, he held onto Leander’s hand in the dark.
“I’m so glad you came tonight,” Rupert said.
“I’m hoping to come again soon.” Leander’s voice held a teasing note.
Rupert laughed at the innuendo. “I think I can help with that.”
“I rather thought you might. And if I can be of any service…”
“I’ll think of something,” Rupert said, his voice thick with desire. Anticipation thrummed in the air, heightening his senses. The short journey seemed interminable, but at last the cab arrived at Rupert’s rented townhouse in Chelsea. Getting out, he paid the driver and motioned Leander toward the door. As he unlocked it, he said, “I gave my man the night off. No one will disturb us.”
* * *
Copyright 2011 by Lyndi Lamont


