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Excerpt from I Bid One American “Say something,” the man said, bending over to whisper urgently in Charlotte’s ear. “Anything--just don’t leave me alone with her. Please, you’ve got to help me!” Charlotte jumped, startled. Lady Diana caught sight of them and crossed the flagstone terrace. “Your Grace,” she called. “I don’t see why you think I should...” Charlotte paused when Lady Diana joined them. Her presence and the obvious fact that the duke and Lady Diana were considered a pair, raised Charlotte’s suspicions more sharply. Just what was his purpose? Did he hope to make Lady Diana jealous? Or raise Charlotte’s hopes, only to dash them later? There was no obvious trap set with jagged, metal jaws open, but Charlotte knew there had to be one. Somewhere close by. She could almost smell the faint, metallic odor of iron. Lady Diana placed a light hand on the man’s sleeve. The strange man gazed beseechingly into Charlotte’s eyes, and she felt suddenly confused. Was this the start of an elaborate trick or not? Unable to resist his blue gaze, Charlotte said the first thing that came to mind. “I don’t see why you think I should explain the differences between the Garden Tiger and the...um, Buttoned Snout again. It’s not difficult, you know. A child could do it. All you have to do is concentrate.” He had asked for her help. A lecture on moths was the best she could do considering the circumstances. Hopefully he didn’t want her to help him make a fool out of her. “Yes,” he said, his tone humble. “But I’m new to this, uh, that is, I’ve never appreciated moths before, I’m afraid. Couldn’t you just go over it one more time?” “What are you doing out here, Your Grace?” asked Lady Diana. She glanced from him to Charlotte. “Miss Haywood,” she reluctantly acknowledged. Then she glanced back to him. She smiled and gave a light laugh. “You don’t wish to be compromised, do you? With poor Miss Haywood?” Her question made it sound like she expected him to prefer being compromised by her instead of poor Miss Haywood. “We’re identifying moths, Lady Diana. I doubt seriously that anyone will find themselves compromised. Don’t you agree, Your Excellency?” said Charlotte, unable to resist teasing Lady Diana by deliberately using the wrong title for the duke. She knew it would annoy her. Charlotte just hoped she had understood the gleam in His Grace’s eyes correctly. Wasn’t that dancing light the flicker of a sense of humor? Wouldn’t he laugh at her joke poking just a little fun at such a pompous title? With luck, Lady Diana would certainly become irritated and flounce her way back inside to the glittering throng where she belonged. If that was what he really wanted when he asked for Charlotte’s help. He wouldn’t be arrogant like the rest of the hide-bound British aristocracy she had met, would he? He couldn’t be. Please laugh. Please! Lady Diana, missing the dryness in Charlotte’s tone, tittered and corrected her with a condescending smile. “Your Grace, Miss Haywood. This is the Duke of Peckham. I suppose Colonials have difficulties with the niceties of British Society.” “Oh, I do apologize, Your Awful Graciousness. It is difficult to keep all these minute class distinctions straight. We Americans are so inclined to believe that all men are created equal, aren’t we?” Charlotte noticed the duke appeared to be strangling. His shoulders positively shook with suppressed emotion. Of course, she had no real idea if it was amusement as she had hoped, or just the strong desire to choke the life out of her. Sadly, many men were so affected by her sense of humor that they found the latter course nearly irresistible. Especially her last guardian. Lady Diana slipped her hand through the duke’s arm. “If you care to return, I believe they’re starting another waltz, Your Grace. You did promise this one to me, didn’t you? Miss Haywood, don’t stay out here too long. The nights are damp. You don’t want to catch something.” “No, indeed.” Charlotte gave a rather elaborate shiver. “I most certainly have no desire to catch anything. Here, at least. Heaven forbid.”
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I Bid One American is now available from The Wild Rose Press and getting wonderful reviews!
A lady rose smuggler meets her match...
SMUGGLED ROSE was awarded 4 stars by the Romantic Times! ...a witty, refreshing read...
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