Quote-Tastic: What was wrong with him?

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The Secret Desires of a Governess by Tiffany Clare

“How is it you’ve found your way here?”

On closer inspection, she was unusually nice to look upon. Her complexion was clear, freckles dotted across her nose and the upper portion of her cheeks. Her lips, he imagined, were full. Right now, though, she pinched them tightly together, either in anger or to keep her teeth from chattering since the edge of her lips held a tinge of blue.

How long had she been standing out in the rain to come to this state? It occurred to him then that he should offer her the warmth of a fire before he sent her on her way.

“I walked,” she spat like a feral cat.

He pinched his lips tightly together and swallowed his offer. It was then he noticed her eyes were as rich and clear a green as peridot, with the slightest hint of gold, and as fiery as her nature proved to be.

“I had to walk fifteen miles because no one arranged for a carriage. I couldn’t even hire a coach to bring me this far.”

Who was this woman to act so familiar with him? He didn’t know her. Didn’t recognize her. Did she require a warm meal and a place to sleep until the storm passed through? If that were the case, she went about it strangely.

Snapping and snarling at the master of the house was no way to win a free meal and lodgings.

He looked her over once more. Even though it was damaged from the rain, her dress was well made and of a fine, expensive material. A lady would have traveled with a maid. A ladybird on the other hand...

Elliott crossed his arms over his wide chest at that thought. He watched her gaze flick to the open throat of his shirt, trailing lower to the exposed skin of his forearms where his shirtsleeves were rolled up. Then she met his gaze head- on, weariness making her lids heavy. She had traveled far by the looks of it.

“Madam, do you always address your betters in such a fashion?”

“How—how dare you speak to me thus. I’m here on your invitation!”

That gave him pause, and he stood away from the wall.

He hadn’t invited a woman up to the castle for more years than he cared to count. When he wanted the company of a woman he rode over to Alnwick, one of the larger townships. But he’d been too busy over the past few months to indulge in a good tumble.

His earlier thought that she might be a lady of the night would not quit his mind. She might do if she wanted to warm his bed. After a bath, this woman would clean up nicely.

Admittedly, she wasn’t his usual type. He didn’t like them to talk back.

But once the thought of this woman in his bed was in his mind, it stirred his blood. Before he even realized, he dropped his arms to his sides and took a step closer to her. Her eyes widened, smoothing all the creases from her pretty face.

He was half stiff when her hand came between them, pressing the tips of her chilled fingers against the exposed skin of his chest briefly before pulling away. The skin- on-skin contact did more than set fire to his arousal. Her cheeks and neck flamed a cherry red in the golden light around them. He wasn’t sure when he had last made a lady blush.

It made his body taut with need.

He wanted.

Until she stuttered, “I— I’m the governess.”

The governess?

Elliott forced himself to take a step away from her. What was he thinking? Better yet, what was he doing? Obviously he wasn’t thinking at all about the consequences of his actions.

It was his turn to narrow his eyes. The house keeper had been corresponding with someone, but for some reason he’d pictured the new hire to be an old crone. Much like all the other older women who had taken on the impossible task of teaching his son. This young woman, who couldn’t be a day over her eighteenth year, didn’t fit his image of a governess. How one could so young take on the task seasoned women had failed at? “You’re the governess?” The disbelief and disappointment were evident in his voice.

“Yes... I put an advertisement in the Northern Times last month. I was asked to start immediately.”

And she looked ready to hit someone— whether from his briefly untoward behavior or from her uncomfortable, bedraggled state was hard to determine.

Damn it. What was wrong with him?


I'm not a huge fan of historical romance novels. There are too many out there that spend way too much time discussing the many fashions and hair styles that the characters are wearing. I once read a book where the main character changed her clothes 6 times in one day. I was like, seriously? How is she going to catch the attention of her man when she is spending all her time changing clothes and getting her hair restyled for pity's sake? And the simpering. Lord save me from the simpering milquetoast maids who live to be rescued. I am sure those books have a market and a huge following, but they aren't for me.

Occasionally I will run across a fantastic read that just happens to be in a historical setting.  I actually won this book from another blog that was doing some twitter contests and cleaning off their bookshelf.  It is signed by the author so that is kind of cool.  There are two books before this one, though Goodreads don't have them listed as a series, and I didn't really feel like I missed anything by not having read them.

Abby, is a woman who wants to make her own choices in life, and isn't going to let being a Lady stand in her way. She is stubborn and willful and a terrific match for the our Earl. I am not sure how accurate it was, but one thing I really enjoyed was the learning disability she gave to the Earl and his son.  I like my heroes to have some flaws and obstacles to overcome and Elliott managed brilliantly. There was some mystery in the book and misunderstandings that have to be overcome. All in all, it was a good read, worth 3 stars.

YEARNING FOR HIS TOUCH

From the moment Abby meets her new employer -- the mysterious, brooding Earl of Brendall -- she is appalled by his brutish manner…and even moreso by her own attraction to him. Has she lost her senses? As a governess, Abby has no choice but to play by the rules. But as a woman, she cannot deny the fiery sensations he ignites -- or the fantasies he inspires…

BURNING FOR HER KISS

From the moment Elliott lays eyes on his new young governess, he knows he’s in trouble. Abby is intelligent, defiant, and utterly captivating, though Elliott must do his very best to resist her. But as the two grow closer, the passion burns hotter. Soon, the only thing that can destroy their love is the darkest secret of his past -- and the secret desires of a governess…

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