The Stranger She Married
An Excerpt by Donna Hatch, Regency Romance Author
Available on Amazon
Mrs. Hancock beamed as Alicia reached her side, put an arm around Alicia, and brought her into their circle. “Miss Alicia Palmer, allow me to introduce Lord Amesbury.”
Even more devastating up close, Lord Amesbury turned to her. His piercing blue eyes threatened the strength in her knees. Though taller than most ladies, Alicia still had to look up to meet his gaze. No other color existed in those eyes; no green or gray, only deep, dark blue, like the fathomless depths of the ocean.
All the other men she had met lately, namely those her uncle insisted she consider for a husband, had taken careful note of her figure. But this gentleman only looked into her eyes. Very deeply.
Lord Amesbury inclined his head. “Miss Palmer.” His resonant, bass voice touched her very soul.
Alicia met his frank gaze and a sensation she did not quite understand stirred within her until breathing became a conscious effort. Mrs. Hancock discreetly coughed, and Alicia realized she’d been locked in eye contact with the Viscount much longer than appropriate.
Unable to pull her eyes away, Alicia sank into a curtsey. “My lord.”
No longer merely polite, his smile broadened, warmed, transforming an already handsome face into a perfectly stunning visage. Sensuality radiated off him, not in a manner that left her feeling threatened, but in a way that left her breathless for more. More of what, she did not know. But she wanted to find out.
“Miss Palmer,” Lord Amesbury said, “May I have the next dance?”
Alicia blinked. She looked back at Elizabeth who smiled encouragingly. Mrs. Hancock also smiled and nodded, but a touch of disappointment tainted her approval, reminding Alicia the dear lady had hoped her own daughter would attract the attention of the very eligible Lord Amesbury. That he’d singled out Alicia seemed a dream.
She squelched all hope that she might hold his interest. Surely only politeness motivated him to dance with the plainest girl first. He’d soon turn his attention to the beautiful ladies.
Finding her voice, Alicia replied, “I would be delighted, my lord.”
As the final notes of the current dance ended and the next began, Lord Amesbury offered his arm. She took it, an unfamiliar quiver beginning in her stomach. The art of dancing, she found as the set began, had not abandoned her as completely as her wits. The handsome viscount danced with athletic grace, his attention focused upon her. The warmth of his hand seeped through their kidskin gloves. He held her gently, firmly.
A playful glint touched his sapphire eyes. “I must warn you. Now that we’ve danced, my aunt will take it upon herself to ask you your opinion of me. She will most certainly interrogate me regarding you.”
She met those probing eyes and her mouth curved. “Oh? Has your aunt become your self-proclaimed matchmaker?”
A wry smile touched his lips. “Of course. I’m thirty and not yet married. She feels it her duty to ensure I produce an heir before I’m too old. Despite my efforts to delay that obligation, she persists.”
Alicia nodded, her smile deepening at his indelicate statement. “That is a dilemma.”
“Since you and I have only just met, it will be difficult to offer a fair assessment of your character. And if I say anything positive about you, she’ll plan the wedding.” His smile brightened, lighting up his stunning face.
Alicia missed her step. Even while dancing with the very handsome Duke of Suttenberg two Seasons ago, such a keen attraction for a man had never overcome her as it did tonight. Yet she was nearly twenty, for heaven’s sake, not a missish schoolgirl!
“Your aunt is a strong woman and a kind lady, my lord. I am sure you can reason with her.”
“I suppose she possesses a good heart deep, deep down inside, but be truthful; she’s sharp-tongued and outspoken.”
She laughed and then clapped her hand over her mouth. “My lord! She might hear you.”
He chuckled. “Fear not. We needle each other as frequently as possible. I say worse things to her face. I enjoy watching her squirm and plot a counter- attack.”
That reminded her of the playful banter she shared with her cousin Robert. “I don’t recall her ever mentioning you, my lord.”
His smile turned self-deprecating. “I’m one of those relations no one mentions.”
I’m giving away chocolate!!!
My anniversary is on Valentine’s day. That way it would be remembered and we would make sure we celebrated. My husband and I both had horrible past relationships where Valentine’s seemed to go wrong every year. This is a way to make it all right. 😀
I love your story about sending your husband to the store for a missing ingredient. My husband and I need to get back in the swing of Valentine’s Day. We used to be so good at exchanging gifts, but lately(last 8 yrs or so) it goes something like this:
“Are we doing Valentine’s gifts this year?”
“I don’t know. What do you want to do?”
I shrug my shoulders. “Maybe not. I just feel like I’m so busy. Let’s go out to dinner or something.”
I’m sure at this point my husband is doing an imaginary fist pump of gratitude.
This year I’m going to fill a jar with paper hearts that I’ve written my favorite memories of us together on.(That’s bad sentence structure, but you get the idea.) 🙂
On Valentine’s Day 19 yr ago I received flowers anonymously. I found out who they were from a few weeks later. I gradually got to know this person and then 15 yrs ago on Valentine’s Day he asked me to marry him and this past November we celebrated 14 yrs married.
eating a giant Valentine’s Day cookie
My husband and I had our first date in seventh grade at a valentines school dance.
My birthday is on valentines day and my best friend got me my favorite flowers sent to my door for a year.
While I have not had a special V-day recently, my brother will be asking his girlfriend to marry him this year. I will get a new sister this year!
I love to dance, but my husband HATES it. When I say he hates it, I mean he REALLY HATES it; he would much rather go to the dentist and get teeth pulled than spend and entire evening dancing. Before we got married we came up with an agreement that we both can live with; we only go dancing once a year–make that one song a year. It started with our wedding dance, then the following years dancing one song at friends and/or family weddings. It has actually worked out really well; he only has to do it once and I at least get one dance. It has become our family joke. We have been married for 9 years now and almost every Valentine’s Day he turns on our song and dances with me, and now with me and our little girl. It is very sweet and make me fall in love with him even more. Of course he always likes to remind me that we have already had our dance for the year at wedding and parties, but like the stud he is, dances once with me then too.
I was dating a guy and wasn’t sure if we were “official” yet. Well, on VDay, we were out to dinner and then a show. At dinner, he called me his girlfriend in passing. Totally made my night. I found out MUCH later that he thought we had been official since a certain talk in January. Well, we’re married now. 🙂
My best friend sister got engaged. They literally met in the cutest way. She had just moved into a new neighborhood and asked her neighbor to borrow some sugar and they just hit it off from there.
Found out last Valentine’s Day that my cousin was expecting her baby girl
I actually officially started dating my wife on Valentine’s Day. I had asked her out on so many dates that it actually became a ritual where I would say want to grab dinner and she would say no. Until the day she finally said yes and it just went from amazing to beyond believable from there.
The funnies thing that ever happened to me on Valentine’s Day was when my BF decided to do a little scavenger hunt. It was apparently supposed to lead me to a romantic little spot. I also apparently can’t follow directions too well because I sat in the middle of a strange park for a couple hours before realizing that I wasn’t in the right place while he thought I forgot. I also forgot to bring my phone with me. It was a tad crazy but we had a replay of Valentine’s Day the next day.