“Oh, how lovely.” LaVerne presses a gloved hand to her chest
as the open carriage rumbles over the cobblestone drive leading to the sprawling
Victorian country manor.
“Wow,” Mac leans over her shoulder for a better view. “It’s
beautiful, but can you imagine having to clean all those windows?” An exaggerated
shudder rolls over her.
Lyn laughs. “In Victorian days, the lady of the house would have had a housekeeper and staff to do that sort of thing, Mac.”
Lyn laughs. “In Victorian days, the lady of the house would have had a housekeeper and staff to do that sort of thing, Mac.”
“And a good thing, too. I don’t know how anyone could work
wearing all this stuff.” An unhappy frown turns Mac’s lips down as she shoves at the yards of material tangling around her legs. “With my luck, I wouldn’t
have been gentry. I would’ve been one of those scullery maids, schlepping
buckets of sudsy water up countless flights of stairs.”
Mary wears a smug smile as she runs her hand over the silk of
her gown’s long skirt. “Well, I definitely would have been part of the gentry.
I was born to wear clothes like this.”
“Not me.” Mac shifts on the seat and tugs at the tight
bodice. “How the hell did women stand it? Give me jeans and a tank top and I’m
happy.”
The carriage comes to a stop and a handsome footman stepsd
down from the back to round the carriage and open the door. He holds out his
gloved hand to Lyn. She places her hand in his and alights to the ground then turns
to the other hostesses with a grin. “Today we’re all gentry. Lilly said so and
it’s her party.”
Mary rises gracefully to her feet and flutters her lashes at
the footman as she takes his hand to follow Lyn. LaVerne steps from the
carriage next while Mac gathers the yards of material she is smothered in to
follow.
Excitement stirs as they approach the manor’s large front
door. A wrinkle mars Mary’s forehead as she eyes Mac’s dress. “Are you
wearing a bustle, Mac?”
“No. Just those four petticoat things that came with the
dress.” Mac arches her neck and turns in a half circle as she attempts to check
out the back of her gown. “Why, does my butt look big?”
LaVerne snickers “Not big, you just look a little puffier
than usual.”
Lyn arches a brow. “My dress didn’t come with a petticoat
thing.”
“Mine neither.” Mary bites her lip as if holding back a laugh.
Mac looks at LaVerne, who shakes her head.
“Oh, my God. Am I wearing everyone’s underwear?”
Mary and Lyn exchanged wide-eyed glances and LaVerne covers
her mouth with gloved fingers before all three burst out laughing.
“Well, that’s just perfect.” Mac turns and stomps toward
the manor. “I’m going to kill Lilly. She’s the expert at all things Victorian.
She should have left instructions for getting into these getups.”
Still laughing, the hostesses hurry to follow her. Lyn
wraps an arm around her shoulder to give her a comforting squeeze as they pass through the large open doors. “I’m sure there is somewhere you can change.” Mac
scowls further when she continues to snicker.
Delicious scents and soft music wrap around them as they turn into the grand ball room full of colorfully attired women and smartly dressed men.
The tables are laden with a traditional British feast. Beef Wellington, roast pork, lamb, Roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, hams, smoked salmon and whole chickens. and seafood dishes.
Delicious scents and soft music wrap around them as they turn into the grand ball room full of colorfully attired women and smartly dressed men.
The tables are laden with a traditional British feast. Beef Wellington, roast pork, lamb, Roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, hams, smoked salmon and whole chickens. and seafood dishes.
For desert there are scones with raspberry jam and Devonshire clotted cream, strawberries and fresh cream and assorted cakes, and tea served from a delicate bone china teapot.
“Oh, you’re here! I’m so excited. Isn’t everything lovely?”
Lilly wears a huge smile as she floats to a stop, looking gorgeous in her pale
pink gown. Dapper in his tuxedo, Oliver stands at her side with a tray of fluted
glasses full of sparkling wine.
“Yes, congratulations, Lilly. Everything is fabulous,” Mac growls
and holds out her hand. “Oliver, if you wouldn’t mind. I really need one of
those.”
Mary laughs and winks at Lilly. “Mac’s having a bit of a
wardrobe malfunction.”
Lilly cocks her head and frowns as she eyes Mac’s puffy
dress. Lyn grins. “We’ll explain later, but for now,” she accepts the glass
Oliver hands her and holds it up in a toast. “To Lilly and Slightly Noble.
Congratulations, my friend.”
This week's introductory 'skit' was written by Mac
American privateer, Captain Jack isn't really an American, but heir to a viscountcy. When his father dies, he leaves everything not entailed with the estate to his worthless cousin. Jack's only hope of inheriting his mother's ancestral home and honoring her dying wish is to marry and produce an heir before his thirty-fifth birthday—in five months. And he doesn't have a single prospect.
Pregnant and unwed, Abigail Halsey is sent by her father to an Anglican convent until he can find a family to adopt his grandchild or a husband for his daughter. Abby has other plans, but they go awry when she goes into labor early and her rescuer, a pirate captain turned lord, insists on marrying her.Is Jack too much like his jealous, unforgiving father? Can Abby overcome her fear of men and have a real marriage? Or will she never be anything more than the unwanted wife of a Slightly Noble Viscount?
Excerpt:
She raised her chin. “I am a commoner, but as you have guessed, my father was accepted in certain social circles. Accepted, but not always welcomed.”
“Well, you will be accepted now, Abby. You are a viscountess.” His voice softened, but his eyes shone with disappointment. Was it because he had hoped she would confide in him? Or because she had confessed her humble origins?
Pride stiffened her spine. “I am more than just a viscountess. I am a wife and mother, and if I am to be a good wife, at some point, I must act like a wife.” This meant running a household, not living on a ship. She did not want to argue or have him ask more questions about her past, but she could not bear living aboard ship indefinitely.
He started, his expression surprised. Then a slow smile spread over his face, and his eyes burned as if he had a fever. He leaned over the table, his face mere inches from hers. “A real wife sleeps in her husband’s bed.”
Abby’s breath hitched. Her pulse jumped. Oh Dear! He had taken her meaning all wrong. Heat rushed to her cheeks and her flesh tingled. “What I meant...That is, I should be running your household.”
“We live on a ship.” He leaned back in his chair. He still smiled, but it was now more humorous than...amorous?
She shivered, unable to suppress a brief surge of longing. What would it be like to kiss that hard mouth? To feel his lips pressed against hers?
Dear Lord! What is wrong with me?
After the abuse she had suffered at Lord Drury’s hands, she need no longer wonder about such things. Yet, her skin flushed and her lips tingled.
It must be childbirth fever. Something was putting mad thoughts in her head, and she refused to admit, even to herself, that Jack was responsible for the low-spreading warmth.
PURCHASE AT AMAZON |
“Well, you will be accepted now, Abby. You are a viscountess.” His voice softened, but his eyes shone with disappointment. Was it because he had hoped she would confide in him? Or because she had confessed her humble origins?
Pride stiffened her spine. “I am more than just a viscountess. I am a wife and mother, and if I am to be a good wife, at some point, I must act like a wife.” This meant running a household, not living on a ship. She did not want to argue or have him ask more questions about her past, but she could not bear living aboard ship indefinitely.
He started, his expression surprised. Then a slow smile spread over his face, and his eyes burned as if he had a fever. He leaned over the table, his face mere inches from hers. “A real wife sleeps in her husband’s bed.”
Abby’s breath hitched. Her pulse jumped. Oh Dear! He had taken her meaning all wrong. Heat rushed to her cheeks and her flesh tingled. “What I meant...That is, I should be running your household.”
“We live on a ship.” He leaned back in his chair. He still smiled, but it was now more humorous than...amorous?
She shivered, unable to suppress a brief surge of longing. What would it be like to kiss that hard mouth? To feel his lips pressed against hers?
Dear Lord! What is wrong with me?
After the abuse she had suffered at Lord Drury’s hands, she need no longer wonder about such things. Yet, her skin flushed and her lips tingled.
It must be childbirth fever. Something was putting mad thoughts in her head, and she refused to admit, even to herself, that Jack was responsible for the low-spreading warmth.
About the Author:
Lilly Gayle is a wife, mother of two grown daughters, a new grandmother, and a breast cancer survivor. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and when not working as an x-ray technologist and mammographer, Lilly writes paranormal and historical romances.Over the years, she's convinced her family to take side trips to museums and historic sites while on vacation. Her daughters never complained—to her face—and thankfully, her husband enjoys those same activities. However, he doesn't seem to enjoy science fiction and the paranormal as much as Lilly would like.
Lilly grew up watching western, science fiction, and paranormal movies and television with her father. Her mother and both grandmothers taught her a love and respect for history, and she credits her love for reading and passion for writing to three wonderful teachers.
Visit Lilly at:
http://lillygayle.com, facebook.com/lillygayle, facebook.com/lillygaylebooks, https://www.pinterest.com/lillygayle or on Twitter.
SLIGHTLY NOBLE will be available The Wild Rose Press from 27th February
SLIGHTLY NOBLE will be available The Wild Rose Press from 27th February
***GIVEAWAY***
Contest ends on Sunday and everyone who comments is eligible.
(We reserve the right to waive the prize in any week when there are not enough contestants for a draw to be deemed fair and unbiased)
Hi Lilly,! *Lyn hugs her sister hostess* Welcome to your own Roast and congratulations on your forthcoming release. It sounds wonderful and what a gorgeous cover!
ReplyDeleteGood Morning, Lilly, Hostesses. Love the post and the food, right down my alley as good stuff. Congratulations on the release and many sales to you. Patsy
ReplyDeleteMiss you Patsy! Come back to us!!
DeleteHiya Patsy! *waving frantically* How are you, sweetie? We miss you.
DeleteHi Patsy, how are you doing? So glad you could stop by the party, Oliver's grinning from ear to ear he's pleased to see you too!
ReplyDeletePatsy! Welcome back. We love having you here. Especially for MY roast! Why, I think you were one of the hostesses when we celebrated the release of my earlier "Slightly" romance. We celebrated the release of Slightly Tarnished on a beach way back in the summer of 2011. And now, here we are for the release of Slightly Noble at this beautiful estate. Jack and Abby are thrilled, especially since you invited Chad and Nikki from Slightly Tarnished. It's going to be such a fun day. Thank you my sister hostesses for planing this lovely soiree on my behalf! *sniffs*
ReplyDeleteAw Lilly, it's always a pleasure to hold a party for you! And it's wonderful to see Patsy again too, as you say, I think you're right that she was a hostess when you released 'Slightly Tarnished'!
ReplyDeleteEverything looks lovely and tastes delicious. I love beef Wellington and many other British foods. Cottage Pie is delicious (but that might be more Irish than British) and I love anything with seafood. But, blood pudding and kidney pie sound kind of nasty. Not sure about spotted dick, but then...I don't see any here today. So, tell me....does it look better than the name implies? lol!
ReplyDeletelol!
DeleteLooks wonderful, Lilly :-) As always, Lyn, Mary, Mac, etc., you've done a great job--and made me smile and LOL. Still hoping Oliver will stop by my house sometime!
ReplyDeleteContinued success to all of you lovely ladies! Hugs...
LOL We're all hoping Oliver will give us a private visit, Diane. Thanks for stopping in.
DeleteLilly, you are an amazing author! I think I look better in this dress. My girls are really firm in this torture devise! I hope you sell a ton! I love the sound of this story...
ReplyDeleteOh, my, that cover is terrific. Just imagine...
ReplyDeleteI'd like to look at the spotted dick myself. Just look, not sure about eating it!! LOL
ReplyDeleteThank you Mary....I have some thoughts on this spotted dick conversation, but well...this is a PG 13 site. So.....lol!
DeletePhew! I'm back, less the extra layers. *waggles brows* I wonder what people will think when they see all that underwear piled on the floor in the powder room. :-)
ReplyDeleteThey're going to think someone got lucky....
DeleteOh, Mac at least with all the underwear on, you would stay warm. Could use some extra clothing around here with this sleet and snow. LOL Love your Author Roast and Toast.
ReplyDeleteLOL There's a whole pile of extra underwear down the hall. Help yourself, and thanks for popping in, sweetie.
DeleteHi Diane, Hi Grannymama!
ReplyDeleteHey Mac, I hope you left those petticoats tidy! We'll need to salvage them and put them on underneath these dresses - crinolines gowns just don't look as good without a good flouncy petticoat to give them some volume. I'm very glad I didn't live in Victorian times really though - I'd have hated to have to wear the hooped whalebone framed petticoats they had then, and they must have been very difficult to sit down in!
LOL Lyn, I keep picturing Carol Burnett in her drape dress.
DeleteOh by the way, spotted dick is actually quite tasty, with plenty of creamy custard poured over. Imagine a pale coloured Christmas pudding, it's just a sponge fruit pudding, that's all. I agree about the blood pudding, Lilly, although I'm a Brit, I've never tried it - it sounds revolting. I hate steak and kidney pie too, can't stand offal of any sort! Like you, I do like a bit of cottage pie myself !
ReplyDeleteAll this talk about food makes me hungry. And there's plenty here. Everyone help yourself.. Oh, and I just love these fruity concoctions Oliver makes. If he ever decides to do home visits, I think we'd all be fighting over him!
ReplyDeleteHow about I share another excerpt? Here's one I find especially intriguing. Hope it makes you want to read more....
ReplyDeletewhich they had just come.
Jack raked a hand through his overlong hair,
dislodging strands from the queue tied at the nape of his
neck. Then with a curse, he gently nudged the nun aside
and climbed into the coach. The hot, sour air nearly
stole his breath.
As his eyes adjusted to the dim light, he took in the
woman lying across the squabs, her slender fingers
moving in concentric circles over her abdomen as she
moaned low in her throat and chanted. “Don’t let mybaby die. Please don’t let my baby die.”
Jack offered an encouraging smile, but sweat
darkened the ash blonde hair hanging over her face,
concealing her features. Then she raised a stubborn
chin, piercing him with pain-filled blue eyes—eyes that
seemed to tug at his soul. Shaking off a sense of déjà
vu, he bent forward and scooped her into his arms.
“Put me down. You could jostle the baby,” she
whimpered, as if afraid the child would drop out onto
the carriage floor.
Jack’s stomach churned. Was that even a
possibility? He looked down, praying he would not see
a baby dangling from its umbilical cord. He saw blood
instead. Lots of blood.
How about I share another excerpt? Here's one I find especially intriguing. Hope it makes you want to read more....
ReplyDeletewhich they had just come.
Jack raked a hand through his overlong hair,
dislodging strands from the queue tied at the nape of his
neck. Then with a curse, he gently nudged the nun aside
and climbed into the coach. The hot, sour air nearly
stole his breath.
As his eyes adjusted to the dim light, he took in the
woman lying across the squabs, her slender fingers
moving in concentric circles over her abdomen as she
moaned low in her throat and chanted. “Don’t let mybaby die. Please don’t let my baby die.”
Jack offered an encouraging smile, but sweat
darkened the ash blonde hair hanging over her face,
concealing her features. Then she raised a stubborn
chin, piercing him with pain-filled blue eyes—eyes that
seemed to tug at his soul. Shaking off a sense of déjà
vu, he bent forward and scooped her into his arms.
“Put me down. You could jostle the baby,” she
whimpered, as if afraid the child would drop out onto
the carriage floor.
Jack’s stomach churned. Was that even a
possibility? He looked down, praying he would not see
a baby dangling from its umbilical cord. He saw blood
instead. Lots of blood.
Great excerpt Lilly, on my way to buy it!
ReplyDeleteAhhh. Thanks, Mary.
DeleteOh, my, Lilly. Yeah, that's a good one.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mac!
DeleteI'm really going to have to add this to my rbr list! Lilly, am I right in thinking it's out now on Amazon but not officially published until next week at TWRP?
ReplyDeleteI love when we do a roast for one of us. I just wish you could sell a million. Mac, great skit. I wish we were all famous. LOL and making money too!
ReplyDeleteYou can pre-order on Amazon but I don't think it will actually download until next week. :(
ReplyDeleteIf wishes were horses, Mary!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lilly, I'll make a note! Sorry, I'm on my laptop and it won't let me comment as myself for some reason :)
ReplyDeleteLyn
I just ran to my kindle to see if it has downloaded yet, but nope. Still waiting, like all good things :) I adore your writing, Lilly! Loved that excerpt.
ReplyDeleteYou girls all look amazing in your dresses - and Mac *giggle, snort*. You never fail to make me laugh! :)
When I was a kid, I loved black pudding, right up until the day I discovered what it was made from *shudder* Haven't touched the stuff since.
Thanks LaVerne. I ate mountain oysters once and loved them. My grandfather was eating them so I wanted one. My dad just kept saying something about not being able to eat them. I couldn't figure out why. He loves seafood. So I asked him. He said, "They're mountain oysters." I said, "I know. They're good. Why don't you want them?"
ReplyDeleteHe looked at me as if I were quite dense. "Mountain oysters?"
I said, "Yeah. So, They are oysters from the mountains." (Keep in mind I was about 10) My dad shook his head in disgust. "Think about it. There aren't any oceans in the mountains." I swallowed the last of my delicious, fried mountain oysters, contemplating where they might have come from if not from the ocean. "So, what are they, oysters from a river?" Rivers ran into oceans. Didn't they? My dad just shook his head and with a face as red as a tomato, he said, "They're pig balls, Gayle. Pig balls!" I ran to the bathroom like a dethroned drama queen, gagging and choking. And I haven't eaten one since. So, yeah, I totally understand your not eating black pudding EVER again. lol!
Ugh! I'd be right there puking with you! Nite ladies, hope you sleep well...
ReplyDeleteLilly, I don't know which one of your books I like the best, but SLIGHTLY TARNISHED and SLIGHTLY NOBLE are at the top of my list. I love the character Captain Jack for more than one reason, as my husband's name was Jack. Both Jack's were and are rounders. Abby could sure hold her own and proved that she was a strong woman. You are an amazing writer, cuz! Hello to the rest of the roasters, missed you!
ReplyDeleteRebecca
So happy to see you here, Becky! I hope you're having fun at my roast. And I am so happy you enjoyed Slightly Noble as much as you liked Slightly Tarnished. Jack was one of my favorite characters to write.
ReplyDeleteLove the excerpts! Don't know how wide I'd look in those fashions, so I'll leave them to you, but I will be checking out the desserts!
ReplyDeleteGood morning Donna! Thanks for stopping by. I'm drooling over the traditional English breakfast, but I'll be skipping the kidney pie and blood pudding. Ewww!
DeleteLoved the feast and he excerpt. Good luck with the book.
ReplyDeleteHi Donna and Marlow, so glad you could join us, glad you enjoyed Lilly's excerpts as much as we did!
ReplyDelete*waves* to Becca - I'm sure I did say hello before, but I've no idea what happened to my comment! Blogger ate it I guess!
ReplyDeleteLooks like the party has finally come to an end. Thank you all so much for coming. And Thank you to my sister hostesses for throwing such a fabulous release party for me!
ReplyDelete