His smile then altered into an exasperated grimace. “Now, this letter? Damn it all! I can’t afford this kind of distraction right now, not with final peace negotiations with France imminent. If I ever wish to advance beyond the post of undersecretary, we must accompany Lord Sandwich to Aix-la-Chapelle. If I don’t, the consular position I’ve worked three years for will surely fall to some far less deserving sod. It’s an opportunity I can’t afford to miss.”
“Do you not think taking a wife would be expected at such a point in your career?”
“I had hoped to postpone the dreaded deed, but I suppose you are right.” Marcus heaved a martyr’s sigh. “Perhaps I am only kicking at the pricks and fighting the inevitable.”
“But now you have little choice in the matter. The lady herself is calling it off.”
Marcus laughed aloud. “No, Nicholas. I beg to differ on that front. She has asked to be released. ‘Tis quite another thing.”
“I hate to gainsay you, but she was only providing you an opportunity to save face and bow out with grace. But it hardly matters. She’s clearly breaking it off. The world at large knows it’s a woman’s prerogative to change her mind. ‘Fickle thy name is woman,’ and all that rot.”
“Then I’ll just have to change it back,” Marcus said.
“How?”
“You will write… No, wait.” Letter in hand, he flung himself from the chair with the graceful energy of a pouncing cat. “On second thought, since this is a matter of considerable delicacy, I’d best handle it myself.”
Needham gave him a dubious look.
“What? I’m a damned statesman, aren’t I? What kind of diplomat would I be if I could not even make peace with my own betrothed?”
“I only question your ability to sound suitably contrite. Humility has never been your strong suit.”
“Oh ye of little faith,” Marcus drawled. “Lydia is nothing if not malleable. She will be begging me to wed her when I am finished with her.”
“Indeed? And just how do you expect to achieve such an about-face?” Nick asked.
Marcus stood at the mantel mirror, fussing with his lace cuffs, adjusting his cravat and openly admiring his reflection. “I’ll beguile her with the full power of my persuasive charm.”
“And should that fail?”
Marcus turned to his secretary with a slow, devious grin. “Why, Nick, I’d have thought it obvious. I’ll just have to ruin her.”
END EXCERPT
AUTHOR COMMENTARY
As an author of several sub-genres of historical fiction it is my belief that to truly understand a given era, one must study the popular culture of the times, and nowhere is the mindset of the people more clearly demonstrated than on the stage. It was while reading Hannah Cowley's The Belle's Strategem, one of the most popular of late Georgian era plays, that I was inspired to write A BREACH OF PROMISE.
While The Belle's Stratagem juxtaposes two different story lines, the essential theme concerns men learning to respect the women in their lives both before and after marriage. This theme of respect is closely mirrored in my erotic historical novella, A BREACH OF PROMISE.
Like Cowley's play, the premise of my story is an engagement contracted by the hero and heroine's parents when they were very young. Also similar is that my own hero, Marcus, like Cowley's Doricourt, has been many years travelling abroad and has recently returned to England a handsome, fashionable, and much sought after bachelor, but one who has learned to appreciate continental beauty and manners far above those of his own countrywomen.
Cowley's Leticia is smitten by her erstwhile finance but dismayed by his apparent indifference to her charms and vows to "win his heart or never be his wife." The unusual stratagem employed to win him over is based on the belief that it is "easier to convert a sentiment into its opposite than to transform indifference into tender passion." These circumstance and sentiments closely match those of my own heroine, Lydia Trent in A BREACH OF PROMISE. Determined to rebuff the arrogant and conceited Marcus at every turn, Lydia wages a battle royale only to discover she is defenseless against his counter-strategy of seduction.
With scorching sensuality combined with humor, witty dialogue and colorful characters, I promise a fun and engaging read!
ABOUT VICTORIA VANE
Victoria Vane is a #1 bestselling award-winning author of smart and sexy romance. Her works range from comedic romps to emotionally compelling erotic romance and have received over twenty awards and nominations including: a 2016 Red Carpet Finalist for both Rough Rider and Jewel Of The East, 2015 Red Carpet Finalist for Best Contemporary romance (Slow Hand), 2014 RONE Winner for Best Historical Post Medieval Romance (Treacherous Temptations), and Library Journal Best Ebook Romance of 2012 (The Devil DeVere series). She currently resides in Palm Coast, Florida with her husband, two sons, a little black dog, and an Arabian horse.
Contact info:
Email: [email protected] Website: www.victoriavane.com
Blog: www.embracingromance.com Facebook: http://on.fb.me/YVeXrf
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A BREACH OF PROMISE
BRETON WOLFE
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THE REDEMPTION OF JULIAN PRICE
THE DEVIL DEVERE SERIES
The Virgin Huntress (#2)
The Devil You Know (#3)
The Devil's Match (#4)
A Devil's Touch (4.5)
Jewel of the East (#5)
BESTSELLING CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
SLOW HAND
ROUGH RIDER
SHARP SHOOTIN’ COWBOY
HELL ON HEELS
TWO TO WRANGLE
BEAUTY AND THE BULL RIDER
A Pledge of Passion (The Rules of Engagement) Page 14
