Welcome to my blog and another First Kiss Friday. I’m always excited when I have a new author on my site, especially when the excerpt is from a Lyon’s Den Connected World. Isn’t the cover gorgeous? Please welcome Elizabeth Keysian who has an excerpt from Lyon on the Loose. We hope you enjoy this first kiss scene. Happy reading and take it away, Elizabeth!
The two protagonists in LYON ON THE LOOSE, Lissy and Roland, have agreed to accompany Lissy’s brother Hugo on a tour of the castle dungeons. Lissy hates dark, enclosed spaces, but her pride compels her to go. Roland has a darker reason; he is looking for hidden ways both into and out of the castle.
***
“I have made up my own mind to remain here,” Roland continued. “I have not been coerced by Mrs Dove-Lyon, nor asked by your mother as part of any conspiracy against you. I wish to protect you as best I can. We have both seen what wicked, desperate men are capable of.”
“So, you think Sutton still means to come for you, and that Treadwell means to come for me.”
“I don’t wish to alarm you, but yes.”
“Then we should tell everyone—warn them.”
He raised a finger to her lips, its warm pressure stealing her breath. “If we tell everyone, who knows what other secrets may come to light? As I have said before, I would have no difficulty giving you the protection of my name if anyone were to find out what befell us on the journey here. But it would be kinder to you if no one were to find out. Because if they learn what Treadwell’s motives were in trying to kidnap us, they will also learn about the elopement. I will not conceal the truth from you, my dear. We are in a perilous situation, and we must keep our heads if we are to come out of this unscathed and see both those dastardly criminals thrown into jail.”
He was staying in order to protect her? She couldn’t exactly complain about that. Or about the way his thumb now replaced his finger, tracing the seam of her lips and cupping her chin for the briefest moment before he stepped away.
“Is that everything?” Her voice sounded soft—seductive, even—and she flushed deeply.
“Not exactly. There is something else I’ve been meaning to tell you—”
“I think I know.”
His eyebrows shot up. “You do?”
“Yes. Your shoulder is paining you greatly.”
He shook his head several times, like a dog shaking water from its ears. “That wasn’t exactly—”
“I have a very good comfrey and pennyroyal salve in my room. I’ll bring it to the coach house for you. If you keep wincing and whimpering every time you move, people are going to wonder how you got the injury.”
“I do not whimper and wince!” He advanced on her, his glare thunderous.
“Oh, I’m afraid you do.” She wasn’t afraid to provoke him—she knew now that he was on her side and would do nothing to hurt her, either by word or deed.
“I’ll have you know I am very robust. But that doesn’t mean I won’t accept the offer of salve. Now tell me, Miss Ashby—what do you mean by trying to insult me?”
She giggled, then wanted to kick herself. What had made her behave like a lovesick girl? Was it simply because he said he was going to remain here to protect her? Because he was prepared to risk his life on her behalf? It was a very generous offer… from an exceedingly attractive man.
“I don’t aim to insult. I only speak the truth—as you will appreciate when you come to know me better.”
“That sounds like an invitation, Miss Ashby. I would, indeed, like to know you better.”
Before she realised what was happening, he had taken her in his arms and was kissing her soundly. Her hands came up to push him away, but her willpower was looking in the opposite direction and her fingers found themselves snaking behind his neck and into his abundant blond hair. She discovered that by holding him thus, she could increase the intensity of his kiss and prolong the pleasure that coursed through her at the feel of his mouth on hers.
“Well, Miss Ashby,” he murmured as he eased away, “I don’t think I have ever considered a rainstorm such a boon before. But I praise the heavens for sending it our way and separating us from your omnipresent brother.”
Lissy brought her fingers to her lips, certain they must feel hot and bruised, but they felt soft and moist and, for the first time in her life, truly appreciated. Roland Chetwynd was far better at kissing than Oscar Treadwell had ever been. But now she knew that Treadwell’s regard had been false. He had not kissed her with affection or even desire.
Roland’s kiss was the polar opposite—heady like strong wine and sweet like honey—and she knew she wanted more of it. And more of him.
He rested his hand on her elbow and brought his lips close to her cheek. She thrilled at the certainty that he was going to kiss her again—but he did not. Instead, he said, “There is still something I really must tell you—”
There was a strange flapping sound from the end of the tunnel, and the grey daylight was temporarily obscured.
The next moment, Hugo emerged into the vault, brandishing an umbrella in one hand and a sickle in the other.
“Hello, prisoners!” he announced cheerfully. “Rescue is at hand!”
Lissy had never felt less in need of rescuing, and at that particular moment, she could have strangled her inconvenient brother.
As she trudged gloomily after him and fought her way through the encroaching bushes at the tunnel’s entrance, she recalled the dangers Roland had warned her of.
And she suddenly realised that the greatest danger she faced in the immediate future was Roland Chetwynd himself.
LYON ON THE LOOSE
By Elizabeth Keysian
She fled a terrible mistake. Then her past caught up with her.
When scapegrace Miss Lissy Ashby faces ruin, she vows never again to trust a charming smile. But Fate has other plans. An ultimatum, a stolen carriage, and a forced overnight stay entangle her with her mother’s new secretary—a man with secrets of his own.
He was awful at spying. Excellent at falling in love.
Roland Chetwynd has been sent to Lissy’s home under false pretences, charged by renowned matchmaker, Mrs. Bessie Dove-Lyon, with recovering a missing sapphire necklace. He never imagined he would instead be captivated by a brave, blue-eyed artist who sees far more than he intended to reveal.
When masked villains strike at Lissy’s family’s ball, Roland risks everything—his reputation, his commission, even his heart—to protect her. But when the truth of his deception comes to light, Lissy must decide if the man she loves is a hero… or simply another mistake.
Purchase Link Universal: https://mybook.to/lyonontheloose
Purchase Link Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H5P9LR9Y
About the Author: USA TODAY bestselling author Elizabeth Keysian writes richly researched historical romance set in Regency England, Tudor Britain and the mysterious landscapes of Dartmoor. She has completed a series for Dragonblade Publishing called Trysts and Treachery and added three Regency romances (and counting!) to their Lyon’s Den line. Though primarily a writer of romance, she loves to put a bit of mystery, adventure, and suspense into her stories, and refuses to let her characters take themselves too seriously. Elizabeth likes to write from experience, not easy when her works range from the medieval to the Victorian eras. However, her passion for re-enactment has helped, as have the many years she spent working in museums and British archaeology. If you find some detail in her work you’ve never come across before, you can bet she either dug it up, quite literally, or found it on a museum shelf.
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