Book hooks May 27: No harm done.

Last week, I gave you a little glimpse at Courting the Stationmaster's Daughter, book one in my sweet Victorian romance series, Camden Girls. This week, I thought I'd share a snippet from the followup, the sweet Victorian romance, Engaging the Heiress.

This is when the hero, Edwin, helps the heroine with a tangle with a puppy and a suitor she's not too keen to keep around:

Edwin glanced at him but it wasn’t long before she had his attention again. “I’m sure your mother expects you soon.”

“She may,” MacKinnon said. “Shall we go, my dear Miss Camden?”

She thought a flicker of jealousy lit Edwin’s earthy-green eyes.

He may only be polite interrupting with an act of close familiarity, but what he’d done made the baron’s son put space between them, for which she was grateful. Still, a hint of hope pushed whatever MacKinnon had been about to say right out of her head. There were things that she wanted to ask Edwin, but those were of a more personal nature—both for herself and for news of her uncle’s predicament. She knew better than to ask about it here; no lawyer she knew spoke of ongoing cases. Edwin was no different. She didn’t want to delay him, but on the other hand, she didn’t want him to go so soon. The topic that occupied her family most right now provided an out. “I’ll see you at the wedding, Edwin.”

“Of course. And you, Mr. MacKinnon?”

“I’m not going.”

Edwin frowned. “I wouldn’t have declined an invitation from the Camdens.”

“Alas, I won’t be in town.”

The dog whined, drawing her attention away from Gilchrist. It flopped at Edwin’s feet, and presented its belly.

Jera laughed at the dog. “I do believe he loves you, Mr. Hetherington.” She well understood the affection. In any other world, she would encourage Edwin to court her. But his financial worth was little more than enough to support his sister, and he worked for her father and now, her uncle.

A little boy ran up to them. “Alexander, come here! Thank you for catching him, sir. Miss. He didn’t bite you, did he?”

Edwin gave the pup another scratch. “No harm done.”

“None, indeed.” MacKinnon offered her his hand. “All is well, isn’t that so, my dear Miss Camden?”

Jera smoothed her skirts. “Quite right, sir.”

Edwin picked up the leash and handed it to the boy. “He just wanted attention from an attractive young lady.”

He never missed a chance to compliment her beauty. Perhaps he did find her attractive. The idea lightened Jera’s heart.

If you'd like to check it out, you can get a copy of the ebook from my shop here:

And also, book one is still on sale at my shop, through May 31st with this code:

CYMZMWMG

If you get it from my store here: https://books.julidrevezzo.com/buy-courting-the-stationmasters-daughter

Thanks for reading.

If you'd like to see last week's post, it's here.

To see more of the hop participants, you can find them below: