Hello, friends. Welcome to a dip into First Kiss Friday. (Wow, this week has gone by fast!) Anyway, I’m featuring Cindaria and Spencer’s first kiss from my new novel A Waltz Before Midnight today. Here we go:
Excerpt:
He twirled her in time to the music and caught her in his arms. His gaze softened as he studied her. “Are you unwell, Cin–er…Miss Hethrope?”
Yes. She was. If she stepped away, even worse. “No…no.”
He brushed her hair out of her eyes. Her heart pounded as if she were about to faint. “Come. Let’s sit you down.”
The closest chair to them put her into an alcove in the dining room.
“Wait here.”
Mr. Moreland stepped away, but she reached out for his hand. “Mr. Moreland—”
He paused and knelt in front of her. “You may call me Spencer, if it’s easier for you right now.”
Spencer. He allowed her to call him by his name. “Spencer.”
What a nice name. Was he named after his father? Would he like to name a child after himself?
The thought of the phantom mother sparked jealousy in her and she drew his hand to her lips.
Spencer raised his other hand and caressed the back of her head.
Only a moment later she sat up again.
He licked his lips. Opened his mouth, shut it.
What had she done?
“Let me–” He paused, cleared his throat. “Let me get you something cool to drink.”
He strode off, leaving her alone with her racing mind.
Had she offended him? She hoped not! If he thought less of her, now, what would he do?
Peering through the crowd, she didn’t see him any longer. Where did he go?
The crowd parted and she saw Winifred still dancing with her partner. Lady Clankton even danced with the young man’s father. What did they speak of?
But Mr. Moreland wasn’t anywhere she could see.
She’d kissed him. In public. Evidence that she’d lost her mind? Would it not have been better to kiss him in private? When would that opportunity ever present itself?
It was a good thing that Lady Clankton hadn’t seen them. Surely, she wouldn’t want a loose woman—or what she perceived as a loose woman—as a companion for her daughter. Surely, she would end her employment if she caught them. How would that affect Dorothea?
She should’ve stayed home. The music box wasn’t so important as to put her whole life’s situation in jeopardy! How stupid can you be?
But… there was something special about Mr. Moreland. Something that made her feel… what? Infuriated, flattered, flustered, frustrated.
Admired, safe.
Loved.
Enough to lose the employment on which she depended? When Doctor McCallum wouldn’t work simply for baked goods? Or in exchange for taking her on as a maid or governess? That might be a possibility, if only he needed a governess!
Don’t speak that aloud. Mr. Moreland would turn away from her if he found out she aspired to governess. Wouldn’t he? The thought made her sad.
A hand to her shoulder startled her. She looked up into Spencer’s fine, expectant gaze. “I believe you didn’t kiss me–”
“I…I’m sorry. I hope I didn’t embarrass you.”
“I said nothing of the kind. Would you mind if I asked for a second demonstration?”
What was he saying? “Why?”
“So I may show you how to kiss someone properly.”
What was he saying? No. She must be dreaming. She needed clarification. “Kiss someone properly?”
A WALTZ BEFORE MIDNIGHT (LOST SLIPPER SOCIETY, BOOK ONE)
BY JULI D. REVEZZO
Synopsis:
When Cindaria and Mr. Spencer Moreland collide, the collision destroys a precious gift for her ailing sister. Her nasty stepmother won’t purchase another, so Cindaria has no choice. She must agree when Spencer offers to procure it for her, even if it means traveling outside London with him to meet the creator. All Spencer wants is to clear his debt to the infuriating Cindaria, and forget the horrid, no good day he had less grace than an earl’s son should have. Then maybe he can put this girl behind him and find the charming beauty who stole his heart at a recent masked society ball.
If only he had a glass slipper to prove what his heart tells him is true…
