I’m proud to present The
King of Threadneedle Street, my newest historical (set in
1871 England), a tale of star-crossed lovers who take on the world.
Andrew Tilmore is a mad
genius of sorts, who figured out at a young age how to make a killing in
the stock market. (Did you know Threadneedle Street is the British
equivalent to Wall Street?)
He returns home after two
years’ absence to find uproar. His sister is about to marry a lecherous
duke, Andrew’s mother keeps trying to marry him off too, and worse, his
childhood sweetheart is being sent away to start a career as a
courtesan. He has tenants, investors, and family all counting on him to do
his “duty,” but he can’t let Alysia go. Andrew knows he must choose either a
life of wealth and fame, or a life with Alysia. Will he give it all away for
the woman he loves?
Preston’s parents, Alysia Villier runs away to Paris. With the help of people
she thinks are her friends, she makes a living as a painter and an artist’s
model. The same night she learns she’s in danger, her knight in shining armor
comes to the rescue…
|
Perhaps the people around her were speaking; she
couldn’t say, for she was momentarily stunned and not sure why. Then she heard the voice again. A British, bass voice. “Excuse me, pardon.”
Was it her imagination? She shook her head.
Evigny and Ramsgate were pushed aside, and there
stood Andrew, a head taller than the others and gloriously angry. Her heart stalled then kicked. She couldn’t breathe.
He gave her a low, formal bow. Pressed a slow
kiss on the back of her gloved hand before turning it to press the palm to his face. Closed his eyes and inhaled deeply at her wrist. Grazed his nose along the inside of her forearm, as though hundreds of eyes were not observing.
One of the men nearby, probably Ramsgate,
scoffed, “And without an introduction! Such presumption! Come now, who is—”
“We have met,” Andrew took her glass, and for the
second time that evening, Leduc found himself holding it while another man cut in.
“Andrew.” Her voice caught, and her throat felt
swollen. A dozen gasps sounded around her, seeming to echo.
She became aware of a chorus of lowered voices.
“That is Lord Preston!” or jealously, “How does he know Miss Villier?” said as though her name meant horse manure.
“Lord Preston, The King of Threadneedle Street.”
“Lord Preston, youngest peer to sit in the House
of Lords.”
All hail Lord Preston, the demi-god. Who should
not be here.
She was suddenly conscious of how she must look
to him, no longer the plump, modest country maiden to whom he had bid farewell over a year before. After a year of Madame Desmarais’ strict diet of vegetable juices, sprouts, and deprivation of sweets, Alysia was a noticeable one or two stone lighter. She thought she was an inch taller, as well.
But that wasn’t mortifying. Alysia resisted the
urge to cover herself with her fan. She didn’t want him to see the pleated silver bodice in translucent gossamer, wasp-waist corset and low Parisian décolleté. Wisps of gossamer—a poor excuse for sleeves—sat low on her arms, exposing her shoulders and half her back. The cosmetics, the exotic perfume, her hair coiffed in semi-dishabille topped with jeweled combs…
She must truly look a harlot to him. Did he think
so? He was certainly staring.  Ignoring the protests of her so-called admirers,he led her to the dance floor just in time for the next waltz, oblivious to her wooden movements. He pulled their dance position completely closed. Pressed against him from shoulder to knee — oh, the shock! His thighs rubbed hers, leading the steps as he had over a year before at his sister’s wedding. It seemed ages ago.
Constrained in the corset, she couldn’t draw a
clear breath. If the dizziness grew worse, she would faint in his arms. At least his shoulder blocked her view of the room. Alysia had no desire to survey all the curious and accusing glares she knew were aimed at her.
Oh, why did Andrew have to appear this evening?
She felt like an opium addict locked in a closet saturated with the scent, smoke, and juice. Tentatively his fingers moved over the exposed skin of her back, across her shoulders, blazing a sensation strangely like fire and ice together. His head turned a little and rested against hers. He hummed softly in her ear as though it was perfectly ordinary that they should be waltzing at a ball in Paris on a random autumn evening. |
mine, and his own castle.
He knows Portuguese, Hindu, Mandarin and Morse code.
His assets net thirteen million.
buy…
Andrew Tilmore, Lord Preston, the financial prodigy dubbed “The King of
Threadneedle Street” wants the one prize out of reach: his childhood
sweetheart. The papers can waste a sea of ink scandalizing over his
lavender-eyed Alysia; so what if she is the daughter of his father’s mistress?
Alysia Villier learned the craft of the courtesan from her infamous mother―by
osmosis apparently. A gifted artist who almost won the Prix de Rome, Alysia is
not interested in following in her mother’s footsteps, since Andrew ruined her
for any other man. But with her legal guardian—Andrew’s father―in control of
her inheritance, she has little choice in the matter.
Keeping Alysia out of trouble and away from eager suitors becomes a
cross-continental quest for Andrew. Not his old-fashioned family, the
disapproval of the ton, nor even Alysia’s dedication to duty and propriety will
stop him. Playing newspapers and investors like pawns, tumbling world markets,
inciting riots… has he gone too far?
violin case and a range bag stuffed with pistols in the back seat of her car.
They hold up the stack of books in the middle, of course. She enjoys writing
about Victorians, assassins, and geeks. Her muses are summoned by the smell of
chocolate, usually at odd hours of the night. By day her alter ego is your
friendly neighborhood music teacher. She lives in Las Vegas with her husband
and four children. Published in
historical and paranormal romance, Moriah has a Master’s degree in music, is a
2012 RWA Golden Heart finalist, 2012 National Reader’s Choice Award “Best First
Book” finalist, and 2012 National Reader’s Choice Award finalist in historical
romance. She loves hearing from readers!
+ blog: http://moriahdensley.com
http://www.facebook.com/MoriahDensley
http://twitter.com/moriahdensley
http://pinterest.com/moriahdensley/
Oh I loved this excerpt! It sounds like a fascinating story – thanks for sharing it, Elizabeth and Moriah. Off I go to Amazon… 🙂
Serena,it does sound fascinating, doesn't it? So glad you stopped by!
From Moriah:
Hi, Serena! Thanks for cheering me on. Great to hear from you.
I just started King last night. Just love the way you write, Moriah, so never stop. Another fantastic job with characters and repartee that is witty and smart and full of life. Awesome to find you here with Betty! Way to be writers, you two amazing storytellers!!
Moriah is unable to leave a comment for some strange and wacky reason, so I am forwarding it on for her.
Moriah replied:
Hiya, Pam. Thanks for visiting. I'm so flattered to hear you like it. So when do we get to see Smitten Image 2?
I agree, Pam – when do we get to read Smitten Image 2? I loved your book! Thanks for stopping by to chat with the amazing Moriah Densley.
I've had the pleasure of reading Song for Sophia and I'm almost done with Moriah's latest book mentioned here. A lovely writer indeed and I eagerly await her next one!
Christi Corbett
Moriah is unable to leave a comment for some strange and wacky reason, so I am forwarding it on for her.
Moriah replied:
Thanks for taking time out of your busy release schedule to stop by, Christi. Thanks for your kind words.
This is really me now LOL
Christi I loved Song for Sophia, too! Indeed, Moriah is a lovely writer 🙂 Congratulations on your new release!
Another book from Moriah Densley? Can't wait!
-R.T. Wolfe
Moriah is unable to leave a comment for some strange and wacky reason, so I am forwarding it on for her.
Moriah said:
Hi, R.T.! Great to hear from you! Thank you for stopping by.
This is really me now LOL
I agree, R.T. Moriah's books are a treat!!