William
Chesterton, the Earl of Chester, might be the perfect gentleman, but
his feelings for Constance Bridgewater are anything but gentlemanly.
Constance
Bridgewater, the daughter of the late Earl of Bridgewater, might be
the perfect lady, but her feelings for the Earl of Chester are
anything but ladylike.
They
both know that if they were together, everything would be just
perfect.
So
what is keeping them apart?
Excerpt From Just Perfect
London,
England 1825
William
Chesterton, the Earl of Chester, sat in his comfortable parlor
swirling an untouched glass of brandy in his hand. Spring had come at
last to London, though the April evening was still chilled and damp.
His staff had seen to the modest fire burning behind the grate, and
the warmth lulled him into a false sense of serenity. It did nothing
to dispel the turmoil deep inside, however.
Most of
the ton, his closest friends included, believed he was a steady man
with a calm demeanor. That was true, for the most part. In the whole
of his life, from his privileged childhood through his early
ascension to the earldom upon his dear father’s passing, he’d
been as steady as the Thames. Stalwart companion, dutiful only son,
closest confidant. It was all so bloody boring.
He drank
from his glass at last, his eyes on the fire. Tonight had gone just
as so many nights before. The season was in its early stages and yet
the parties and frivolities had already started. He’d joked with
his friends, danced with their wives and sisters, and made certain
not to show undue attention to marriage-minded young ladies. Their
mothers would love to snare the calm and affable Earl of Chester for
their daughters. That was certain.
He’d
played his part as was expected, and even managed to ignore the urge
to dance with one particular young lady more than the allotted two
times. It had nearly killed him. Constance Bridges, the late Earl of
Bridgewater’s daughter, was the only woman he wanted for more than
two dances.
Her
lithe body, her pale golden hair and sparkling gray eyes, were like
no other woman’s he’d encountered. Last year, at yet another
interminable house party, at one of his happily married cohorts’
estates, he’d attempted to make her see she was more than a
pleasant diversion. He wasn’t merely a willing dance partner or
riding companion, either. He might have acted a bit wild, however,
and no doubt frightened her out of her wits.
He
lifted the glass to his lips again and smiled. Ah, but that five
seconds he’d spent holding her close, her breath warm on his cheek,
her pink lips so close to his . . . he still got hard thinking about
the heat she hid beneath that alabaster skin. He’d seen burgeoning
knowledge in those gray eyes of hers, too. She’d wanted him. He’d
stake the considerable estate his father left him on that fact.
She was
a puzzle, to be sure. So serene and bashful on the surface, yet he
knew she was more than the perfect picture she presented. He downed
his brandy and let out a frustrated breath.
He was
tired of playing the nice fellow. If he risked his lauded reputation
in the process, so be it. He wanted more in his life than polite
dinners and mildly pleasant diversions. He wanted love and passion
and everything his friends had been lucky enough to find.
He knew
Constance was the one to show him that heat. He drained the glass,
letting the smooth liquor burn pleasantly down his throat.
He
couldn’t wait to find out just how hot the fire inside her burned.
Want to read more? Grab a copy:
About The Author:
JoMarie
DeGioia has been making up stories for as long as she can remember,
and has spent years giving voice to the characters in her head. She’s
known Mickey Mouse from the “inside,” has been a copyeditor for
her town’s newspaper, and a bookseller. She writes Historical and
Contemporary Romances, along with Young and New Adult Fantasy
stories. She divides her time between Central Florida and New
England.
You can contact JoMarie at JoMarie@JoMarieDeGioia.com
Before you go leave JoMarie a comment and include you email address. She will be awarding Loose Tea and chip nuts to two randomly drawn commenters during the tour. To increase you chances of winning visit the other stops on the tour.
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