Honor's Players - By Holly Newman Page 0,93

wrapping her up in it.

Elizabeth laughed weakly. “My clothes, I’m afraid, are the least of my problems. I fear, Justin, I cannot walk; my feet are cut to ribbons.”

St. Ryne looked down at her feet encased in torn slippers liberally stained with blood. His face softened and he gently picked her up. She wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Your courage and strength, my love, unman me.” He lowered his head to kiss her tenderly.

The first faint light of dawn shone on the horizon as St. Ryne placed Elizabeth in the saddle and swung up behind her. Turning the tired horse back toward Larchside, he pulled her close. She leaned her cheek against him. When she heard a low laughing rumble in his throat, she looked up quizzically.

“Do you remember the last time you rode before me?”

“I’m not likely to forget, nor the ice water you set me in when we arrived.”

He grimaced. “That was an accident.” He paused, then went on in a strangled voice: “Thomas said you were planning to return to London. Dare I hope that you were coming back to me? I know I’ve acted the complete ass, but can you forgive me, Elizabeth?”

He sounded so humble and penitent, that even if she hadn’t already forgiven him, she would have done so. She looked into his eyes, her own shining. “Not unless you call me Bess,” she teased. “I find I’ve become fond of the name.”

He laughed. “I did it at first merely to tease, and then I came to think of you as ‘my Bess’ and no other name would do, except maybe ‘love,’ ” he finished softly.

“Let’s begin anew, Justin,” she suggested urgently.

“How so, love?”

“Let’s pretend this is the homecoming ride from our wedding and put the past behind us.”

“All right,” he said, reining in the horse. “But first a kiss to seal our vows properly.” Pulling her tight against him, he lowered his head until their lips touched, softly at first then with increased pressure, their tongues intertwining as each pulled the other closer. The swirl of sensation threatened to drown Elizabeth but this time, instead of allowing the sensations merely to wash through her, she answered his kiss with a tidal wave of passion.

She was light-headed but happy when at last their kiss broke. She reached up a shy finger to trace his face. “I love you, Justin. Let’s hurry home.” She paused, smiling saucily up at him. “I have still to learn what it really means to be the Viscountess St. Ryne.”

He raised an eyebrow, and a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “And are you eager to do so?”

“Very eager.”

He laughed, hugging her tight, and urged the horse forward to Larchside.

Thanks so much for reading Honor's Players.

When I was in elementary school I received a book called Tales from Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb. It was a book of Shakespeare’s plays turned into stories for children. I loved that book and as I got older I came to appreciate Shakespeare’s plays. Of course seeing and hearing a young James Earl Jones playing Othello didn’t hurt either. I have enjoyed watching Shakespeare’s plays both on stage and on film and admired how different casts and directors could put different spins on the plays. So, it was natural that I should try my hand at a different spin as well, and what better vehicle that a Regency Romance?

Honor’s Players was the first full regency that I wrote. I started “A Grand Gesture” first (coming soon to Kindle), but Honor’s Players was the first book I finished. It won first place in a writing contest sponsored by the University of Texas at Dallas and was first runner up for a Rita award from Romance Writers of America. The book still has first place in my heart.

If you enjoyed my book, please considered going back to Amazon and leaving a review and "Like"ing it. If you find a typo or other error in the Kindle formatting, please email me at [email protected] so I can get it fixed as soon as possible!

Below is information on some of my other books:

The Waylaid Heart

Snubbed! Intrigued by the novelty, Sir James Branstoke followed the widow Cecilia Waddley. He first followed her in curiosity, then to save her from herself when he realized she was on the trail of a murderer who would have no compunction about taking her as his next victim.

The Heart's Companion

Rumor branded the Earl of Royce as the Devil’s Disciple, a man every self-respecting woman spurned. But Jane Grantley found spurning him difficult for the Devil’s Disciple refused to live up to his name instead playing the perfect gentleman until even Jane’s legendary reserve melted.

A Heart In Jeopardy

For Leona Leonard and Nigel Deveraux duty to one’s family went without question. But when Leona rescues a Deveraux family member from kidnappers and the kidnappers swear vengeance, Leona’s and Nigel’s concepts of duty clash in this lively Regency mystery romance.

The Rocking Horse, a Regency Christmas short story

The handmade toy was Lord Tarkington's gift for his young daughter. But his labor of love touched the heart of a lady—who knew she had found her heart's desire.

More books coming to Kindle in 2013:

A Grand Gesture

When Catherine Shreveton was offered a London Season under the auspices of her aunt, her family insisted she go. In a pique, she dressed to look every bit as plain and provincial as her aunt supposed her to be, but she hadn’t counted on the Marquis of Stefton who knew she acted a sham.

Gentleman’s Trade

A sparkling story of a New Orleans belle caught up in a contest of wills with a dashing Englishman.

Honor's Player

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Cover design by ADK Designs

Table of Contents

COVER

TITLE PAGE

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

A NOTE FROM HOLLY