In today's Eggcerpt Exchange on The Maze,
Regency author Alina K. Field introduces us to…
The Matchmaker
Lord Grigsby wants nothing more than to retreat to his study, but a promise to his long-dead sister has forced him back into society to broker the marriage of his nephew to the heiress whose money can save the young man’s estate. If only the young lady’s starchy hired companion would move out of the way.
The Matchbreaker
Hired to launch an heiress’s society debut, seemingly straitlaced spinster Liliana Ashford’s future as a professional chaperone depends on the girl’s successful marriage. But Liliana had her own close encounter with a scoundrel years ago, and she won’t let her charge be forced into marriage to the same kind of rogue, no matter how hard the man’s widowed uncle tries to woo Liliana around to the match.
Secrets and a Scandalous Murder
A shadow from Liliana’s past appears bearing an unfortunate letter she wrote long ago, and then the earl is murdered, evoking the scandal of the season. While she scrambles to make a respectable match for her charge before her own past can be exposed, Grigsby sets about finding his nephew’s killer—and Liliana’s secrets.
EXCERPT
"You clearly don't approve of the match. Do you intend to openly oppose it?"
Her head whipped around, and she glared. "It's not for me to approve or disapprove. Katie—Miss Mercer—will decide."
Passion flashed in her eyes, sending an answering spark through him. She was magnificent, though so very mistaken. "Really? Then her father is more liberal than I expected."
She looked him over more closely. "What do you know of this matter?"
I might ask you the same question. Her tone had been stiff, like the crystallized dome covering bubbling lava. He fixed her with his sternest glare, not entirely surprised at her cheek.
His glower didn't impress her. She lifted her shoulders higher. Stood a little taller, proud, lovely, and filled with indignation.
Quite righteous indignation. He gave into an unmanly sigh, truly weary of his responsibility for Thomas. "I know a good deal, Miss Ashford. I have been negotiating for these nuptials. The arrangement is my doing as much as Mr. Mercer's. Much more than it is my nephew's. He is probably the least culpable, except for his abominable behavior."
She clenched her hands tightly. "I see."
"Thomas's mother was my older sister. I made a promise to her that I would look after him." Her gaze softened, and she bit her lip in a way that made him want to taste the part that she was nipping.
And where had that thought come from?
"And your nephew needs money and an heir."
He nodded. As a woman of the ton, of course she would understand how marriage worked. Marriage wasn’t about love, or the bride’s approval, or a plump lower lip that begged to be kissed.
"He needs money most of all. He has a younger brother in the army who would make a far more dutiful earl."
He covered his mouth with his hand. The words had rolled out, shocking him. He rarely spoke this frankly with any woman.
Very well, he never spoke this frankly with any woman.
She released a soft breath. "And there is the matter of the ore."
His mouth gaped and he quickly closed it. Mr. Mercer had shared that information? Well. "That part of the county is rich with newly discovered veins of iron."
That information brought her up straighter. She looked away, gazing intently at a thick, dark spot of foliage, making him want to pry into that sharp mind.
"I see,” she said. “I believe we should go back in now."
Not yet. He tucked her hand over his arm but did not move.
Learn a bit more about Liliana Ashford, heroine of Liliana’s Letter:
Favorite type of pet
My father kept hounds until he had to sell them, but they were never my pets. I do believe that if ever I have the opportunity, I should like to keep a little dog.
[The Maze (TM): We have a pair of Great Pyrenees who guard our goat herd. They're not pets either, but they are big lovey puppies at heart!]
Favorite place to visit
I dearly love the British Museum and would like to spend more time there.
[TM: Me too! I once spent hours in their Roman collection, sketching and taking notes. Absolutely invaluable for my book research.]
Favorite food
I love a freshly made scone with good Devon cream, don’t you?
[TM: I have some blueberry scones I plan to bake for breakfast tomorrow, though our fresh cream comes from Jersey cows living just a bit closer to us than Devon, England. Or Jersey, for that matter. :D]
Worst fear or nightmare
For the longest time, my worst fear has been to live as a genteel pauper with no family or friends.
[TM: That's one fear I simply cannot imagine. Fewer and fewer people are truly alone anymore in my world.]
Secret desire or fantasy
I should love to see the pyramids and ride on a camel.
[TM: Been there, done that! Very exciting; you will love it. The Sphinx is not to be missed either, though he's been rather mum with asking his riddles lately.]
What would you do if you won the lottery?
Yes, we do have lotteries, but ladies do not generally participate. Still, if I could dream and find myself with a pot of money, I would establish a charity to help the young girls from the London rookeries into a better life.
[TM: I like to remind everyone—gentlemen and ladies alike—that the lottery is a tax on people who are bad at math. :D Thanks for stopping by today!]
Alina K. Field Bio and links
Award winning author Alina K. Field earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and German literature, but she found her true passion in reading and writing romance. Though her roots are in the Midwest, after six very, very, very cold years in Chicago, she moved to Southern California and hasn’t looked back. She shares a midcentury home with her husband and a blue-eyed cat who conned his way in for dinner one day and decided the food was too good to leave.
Her debut novella Rosalyn’s Ring was the 2014 Book Buyer’s Best winner in the novella category.
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Thanks so much for having Liliana as a guest today, Kim! I had to search for a picture of Great Pyranees, and my, the are beautiful animals!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! Ours are three years old and muddy much of the time now (they are working dogs). I'm hoping this will work: here is a picture on Facebook from when they were puppies. :)
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