Friday 20 May 2011

Second Challenge/blogfest - Romantic Friday Writers

Romantic Friday Writers!


My entry today is from the same novella as last week - "Her Favoured Captain" - LOST the theme.
I swear, on my honour, it's from a romance novel. :o 

* * *

She crept close to the closed library doors, his words as clear as if she in the very room with him. “You cannot be serious,” he said, in the manner she had come to dread over the past two years. “We agreed terms, did we not?”


“We did indeed, your lordship, and had your sister obliged in my desire for a mere kiss to seal the betrothal, our agreement would be honoured in full.”

“I do not understand this sudden reluctance on Emerald’s part, for it was her wish to be sure this estate safe for future generations of Penhavean’s.”

“Nor I,” returned the earl, a long drawn sniff, and then another. She could well imagine snuff on the back of his hairy hand. A shiver of revulsion rippled down her spine, the memory of his hands upon her flesh detestable, his voice a reminder of the greater threat: unbidden attentions. He chuckled, and second icy shiver of fear streaked down her spine. “Wild little filly, to be sure, and although she sought to kill me with damnable candlestick, I will see my way to forgiveness on the proviso she comes to me before noon of her own volition, and alone.”

“In what manner do you propose this forgiveness you talk of?”

Had Ned not guessed the earl’s intentions? Had he no thought for her safety?

Silence hung heavy within the library, the weight of it pressing on her shoulders. Unable to see for herself, but ear to door she could imagine exchange of glances between her handsome brother and the bulldog-featured earl, saliva dripping from his mouth in anticipation of second close encounter with her.

“Come now, your lordship, would you have me deprived of a bit of a feel of your sister?” The earl drew breath, a sucked shuddering breath, as though delighting in the prospect of her in the room with him, and without protection as happened before. “You know how it is, dear boy. A filly trotted up and down, a ride to try out its stride, and then exchange of money to conclude the transaction.”

“You cannot be serious?” exclaimed Ned. “You expect me to . . .”

“Go for a walk,” barked the earl. “Do what ever you must, and on my honour I promise it shall be no more than a look and a feel of what I am to get for my money.”

Silence again befell the room. On his honour, the beast had no honour and would have had her the night previous had not the candelabra served her well in sending him to black void and she able to escape his clutches. What next his plan to deceive and get his way?

“That or I sell her as untried. Put her up for auction to the highest bidder. Your estate in close proximity to sea is not particular to my liking, so what say you we get this over and done with?”

“But she’s my sister, not a filly at a horse fair,” charged Ned, at last seeming on her side.

“In drunken stupor you gambled on your sister’s hand for marriage, your lordship, and lost. Last night we agreed terms on a legal document to be drawn as surety in payment of all your debts. On, I might add, proviso of my sampling your sister’s charms. Now it is up to you. Either I have her by noon or I sell her on.”


* * *

May 27th Challenge - Glitz & Glamour.


 If you would like to become a member of Romantic Friday Writers,
pin your pic on the wall,
sign on the dotted line,
join the fun and get writing for next week's challenge.
Members post either poetry, snippets from novels, or pieces written especially for today's post. All supposedly no more than 400 wrds.
To keep within the specified paremeters is tough! I usually fail! ;)

If you would like to read more of today's posts select from list below.


Ann Best

Andy David
 
Andy McDonald
 
Francine's Romancing the Blog
 
J.L.Campbell
 
Kittie Howard
 
L'Aussie's Writing Blog
 
Laura Bambrey
 
Li
 
Madeleine
 
Margo Benson

N.R.Williams

Raquel Byrnes

Roland Yeomans


19 comments:

Margo Benson said...

Great piece - You've captured this revolting character so well he truly turns my stomach!

dolorah said...

The Earl is darkly sinister; but I suspect a change of heart later. This was engaging. Loved how you used dialogue to fill in some backstory and characterization. It worked well.

These two are seriously intriguing.


.......dhole

J.L. Campbell said...

Where's the rest? ;) 'Course, I wanna know how Emerald and Ned get out of this doozy. The Earl sounds and looks nasty. You've done a good job in giving the reader visuals of him. Well done on Emerald's reactions too. Complete story/picture/dilemma in a snippet. Well done!

N. R. Williams said...

Oh despicable men. The voice is marvelous.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, The Treasures of Carmelidrium

Wendy Tyler Ryan said...

Youza! That wets the whistle. Great excerpt.

Wendy Tyler Ryan said...

Darn! Just read the rules for Friday Writers andm, alas, I do not tweet or twitter I actually have an allergy to it! But I wish you all the best with your endeavour.

Talei said...

Oh,Francine,

I'm a fan of your writing! Love this story, must keep reading.

I've tagged you on my blog today, do drop by when you can!

Happy Friday!

Tx

Anonymous said...

Gosh! You say this is something from a novel you've read? I had my mouth open in disbelief throughout Very dramatic :O)

Raquel Byrnes said...

I love the shuddering breath he took. So spine tingling. Interesting start for these two!
Edge of Your Seat Romance

Francine Howarth said...

Hi Margo,

Yep, the earl is vile!

Donna: Nope, the earl is a complete bastard.

Joy: Thanks! It was worse than this beforehand but I couldn't post what happened to Emerald on a open blog! ;)

Nancy: yeah, not nice fellas, but Ned redeems himself to some extent, later.

Wendy: Glad you liked it! :o

Talei: thank you so much, I'll be over as soon as I can.

Madeleine: not read, written by moi.

Raquel: it gets worse before it gets better! ;)

best
F

Laura said...

EEk! I was so hoping for more of this story today - thanks for the treat!
Lx

Anonymous said...

He LOST. So glad he did since he's a scoundrel.

Denise Covey said...

Hi Francine. That Earl is evil, but will he change as the story progresses. Poor Ned. You've characterised so well in a short time. The dialogue is gripping and tells so much. See, you have us all panting for more..

Great for you to make it so easy to find stories. Thanks for posting this extra linkage.

Denise<3

Francine Howarth said...

Hi Laura,

I think that's it for previews of this particular novella! ;) Shall move on to something different next time.

Hi Ann, horrid beasts the pair, but Ned redeems himself to a point, at least.

Hi Denise, nope, the earl don't change one bit!

best
F

Anne Gallagher said...

Wow, great character descriptions of the Earl. Snuff on his hand, saliva dripping from his mouth. EWWWW! Great job.

The Poet said...

Francine, you're a tease to leave us hanging like this!

The Earl is a revolting, despicable, hairy man. I love the fire of Emerald. I'm a bit mad at Ned for allowing this to happen, but I suppose desperate times call for desperate measures.

More please!

Francine Howarth said...

Hi Anne,

Thanks for stopping by! ;)

-------
Hi Andy,

That's me, pure tease! :)

best
F

Li said...

Wow! Definitely intrigued and wanting to know the whole story :)

Francine Howarth said...

Hi Lisa,

You and me both. :o Just joking!

best
F