It’s a little later in the day but luckily I remembered it’s First Kiss Friday! Today I’m sharing a first kiss scene from Waiting for the Duke that is my contribution to the Sizzling Duke Summer boxset. I hope you enjoy this scene with John and Annette!
Excerpt:
Laurance was right. There was no better time than the present to make amends. But then he saw the Marquess of Beaumont lean down to whisper in Annette’s ear. John clenched his fists at his side, wondering what Alistair could possibly be saying to the woman whose face suddenly became as radiant as the sun. He couldn’t fight his jealousy anymore. John had had enough and decided he would set the matter straight between the lady and himself once and for all.
He excused himself from Laurance and carefully made his way across the room, stopping a servant to take two crystal flutes of champagne while he advanced upon Annette. When he stood before her, he held out one of the glasses which she accepted with a nod before addressing the man next to her.
“You’ll excuse us, Alistair,” John said familiarly while keeping his gaze completely upon the lady whose own eyes went wide. This wasn’t a question but a demand he hoped the man would take.
An amused chuckle left Beaumont. “As you wish… Your Grace,” Alistair said with a smirk before taking his leave. John observed Alistair when he went directly to his sister, knowing another conversation would be needed very soon.
“Did you wish to talk about something, Your Grace?’ Annette asked entirely too sweetly to his ears. She lifted her glass to her lips while watching him with amusement over the rim.
He saw that several guests staring at them. “Not here. Come with me,” he ordered as he took her glass and his, placing them on a tray a servant held before they left the crowded room and went out onto the balcony. Still noticing several curious people who followed them, he took her arm and escorted her down the marble stairs until they stood near a fountain in the garden. He sensed everything about her even as he faced the marble statue with bubbling water at its base. He tried to get his emotions in check but found it difficult as jealousy once again consumed him.
“What’s wrong, John?” she asked quietly, and the sound of his name coming from her lips was almost more than he could bear.
He whirled around to face her, taking hold of her arm. “What is Alistair to you?” he managed to mutter through clenched teeth.
She seemed taken aback and rightfully so, since he still no longer had a claim to her. “Why does it matter to you what my relationship is with Alistair?”
“So, you are in a relationship with him?” he demanded.
Her eyes narrowed until that pretty little mouth of hers crept up at the corners in an amused smile. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were jealous.”
A grunt left him as he folded his arms over his chest. “I am not jealous.”
She took a step closer as she looked him up and down before tapping his chest with one finger. “Your demeanor tells me differently, but you’ve also piqued my curiosity. Why would you be jealous of Alistair if you’re not interested in me, John?”
He cleared his throat. “I am concerned for your reputation and am only watching out for you.”
“I have my brother who is capable of performing such a duty.” She took another step forward. “Why are you jealous of Alistair?”
He pulled her closer and her hands came to rest on his chest. “Stop saying his name as if you’ve reached an understanding. I don’t like it.”
“He has been as much of a friend to me all these years as he has been to you and Clara. Why, even you address the Duke of Stonehaven by his given name. Why shouldn’t I do the same for Alistair, and more importantly, why don’t you like it when I call him by his given name?”
“Because you’re mine!” He snapped and watched when she appeared as shocked by his words as he was by confessing them aloud.
“You have a funny way of proving such a claim, Your Grace,” she said quietly and with good cause. After all, he had not told her that his feelings had changed. But he could see for himself that she would not let the matter rest until he’d confided his innermost thoughts. “I was not aware that you wanted to renew our past commitment, especially considering you brought another woman to your sister’s house party.”
“Let’s not bring Lady Torshell into this. And call me by my given name, for heaven’s sake,” he grumbled. “If you can be so familiar with Marquess of Beaumont, then you can certainly do the same for me. You’ve known me longer.”
She tilted her head to one side to study him. “I find it hard not to bring her into this conversation, considering the woman has been hanging on to you at every available moment. Look, we even needed to move to the garden to escape her.”
“I admit bringing her to the party was a mistake,” he confessed.
She gave a brief nod. “Then when did you plan to tell me you changed your mind about… us?” she asked as she took hold of the edges of his jacket when he brought her even closer while his arms wrapped around her waist.
Her breathing elevated so he could see for himself she was just as affected as he was while being held in his arms. She did still care for him and he had been a fool not to have noticed before now. “Perhaps I only waited for the perfect moment to redeem myself and my honor,” he whispered before lowering his lips to meet hers.
He didn’t want to rush her and as he gave small pecks at her lips, he tried to patiently wait to see if she might respond. She clenched the fabric of his jacket more tightly and leaned into him to tilt her head to meet his mouth with a soft moan. He had been right. She did still care for him and perhaps he hadn’t lost her after all.
He deepened their kiss and he swore no woman would ever replace Annette in his heart nor would he be a fool to allow his stupid pride to get in the way of their happiness. He kept one hand onto her waist while the other moved to that fiery red hair that had tantalized him from afar for over the past two years. He would ensure that he told her exactly how he felt as soon as he was done exploring those lips he had dreamed about for so long.
Waiting for the Duke
By Sherry Ewing
When you’ve been rejected, can love find its way back into your heart?
Lady Annette Saxton has known since childhood that she was betrothed to a future duke. John Fawsley is everything any woman would ever want in a husband, but maybe she has only seen what she wanted to see all these years. He seems uninterested in what their parents had prearranged, and Annette worries her future with him might not be secure.
John Fawsley, Duke of Sommer, had always known that someday the dukedom would be his, but he never expected to wear the title so soon. He doesn’t feel ready. Certainly, he doesn’t feel ready to marry! And though he’s always thought Annette was an attractive young lady, she feels like more of his sister’s best friend than a potential wife. Better to cut her loose while he learns the role of the Duke of Sommer, and give her the freedom to marry a more settled man of her own choosing.
Two years later, John’s sister Clara, and Annette’s best friend, arranges a house party in order to put the pair together. Annette remains hopeful that their relationship can be restored while John still wishes to define his life by his own choices. He does not expect jealousy to play a part in Clara’s plan.
Can the differences of two stubborn people be put aside so they can find their way back into each other’s lives?
Sizzling Duke Summer: A Historical Romance Anthology
Love sizzling dukes? Indulge yourself!
From enemies-to-lovers and grumpy sunshine to wallflowers tempted by irresistible rakes, this lavish Regency romance collection delivers passion at every turn. With over a thousand pages of never-before-published stories, prepare for adventure, scandal, and sweeping romance.
Wander through candlelit ballrooms, overhear whispered confessions, and watch destinies collide in this irresistible anthology by your favorite historical romance authors.
Get ready for a sizzling summer —Regency style!
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