Return of the Raven (The Novels of Ravenwood) Time Travel Fantasy Romance by Judith Sterling ➱ Release Tour with Giveaway
Excerpt #1
Dressed
in blue-striped pajamas, Griffin stood in front of his bed. His gaze shifted
back and forth between two books. Usually, he was a decisive reader, but
tonight was different. He’d had Margaret on the mind the entire time he perused
the library shelves, and even now, the sound of her bathwater filling the tub
next door plagued his focus.
Nevertheless,
he’d narrowed the choice to two books: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of
the Baskervilles or Dennis Wheatley’s The Devil Rides Out. He’d read
both before and enjoyed them immensely, so he couldn’t go wrong with either
one.
So
what’s it going to be? Murder on the moors or black magic on Salisbury Plain?
Margaret’s
clear-toned voice penetrated the wall between their bedrooms. She was humming
the first part of the sonata he’d played tonight. Not only did she have an ear
for language; she also had one for music. She had perfect pitch, too, as did
he, which allowed him to discern that she hummed the exact same notes he’d
played on the Steinway. Her singing voice was just as lovely as he’d imagined
it might be.
His brow
furrowed. He had no business imagining anything about her, least of all her
naked body slipping into a warm bath and—
Stop! He huffed and rubbed his mouth
with his hand. Then he refocused his attention on the books for the umpteenth
time. Come on now. Murder or magic? Magic or murder?
“Griff!”
A note of panic tinged her voice.
Meg!
In trouble!
He
dashed into the hall and into her bedroom, then flung open the bathroom door.
She stood in the bathtub, clad in bubbles whose brethren spilled over the side
of the tub onto the floor. Luckily, the white foam covered all but her neck,
head, and one shoulder.
“There’s
too much of it.” She gestured to the mess and sent a cluster of bubbles flying
through the air.
“I can
see that. Are you hurt?”
“No,
just unnerved. They kept building and building until I feared they might cover
the entire chamber.”
“First,
let’s turn off the water.” He reached into the sea of foam, found the faucets,
and twisted each one in turn. “How much of the soapy liquid did you use?”
“The
whole bottle.”
His eyes
widened. “Well, that explains it. Only a small amount is necessary.”
“When
Hannah showed me how to use it, she simply turned the bottle upside down to
demonstrate pouring. I assumed all of the liquid was needed.” With a rueful
expression, she looked around her. “Obviously not.”
She was
adorable. And underneath those bubbles, she was nude. Time to go!
“Well,
I’m glad ʼtwas nothing serious. I’ll just be going now.” With an about face, he
headed for the door.
“Wait.”
Uh
oh. What does she want now?
He turned back around.
“I must
know something, and you’re the only one who can help me know it.”
A
warning bell pealed in his mind and urged his heart to quicken its pace. “What
do you want to know?”
“Earlier,
you called me attractive, but you haven’t seen all of me.”
Only
by the grace of those bubbles! Did she intend to bare all? No…modesty would prevent that.
But the look in her eye—that steady gleam of determination—made him nervous.
“Surely you don’t mean—”
“I do.
All of my married life, Evoric has mocked me and deemed me unappealing.”
“To him
mayhap.” Or eunuchs. Otherwise…
Adamantly,
she shook her head. “To all men. Or so he says.”
He is
such a sleaze.
“He’s just trying to make excuses for his own failure.”
“That
may be, but I’ll never know for certain unless you look upon me yourself and
give me your honest opinion.”
Dear
God. How did I get myself into this mess? “I really think ʼtis better if—”
“Griff.”
Her violet eyes pleaded with him. “I know I’ve asked a lot from you, but I need
this. Otherwise, I’ll wonder about it the rest of my life.”
How
could he deny her the chance to rebuild her self-confidence? He took a deep
breath, pushed it out, and braced for what would come. “Very well. Show
yourself to me.”
Excerpt #2
Held in
the ballroom of a nearby hotel, the after-party boasted a band of musicians,
savory food, a variety of drinks, and a three-tier, white-frosted cake. After
consuming a sizeable portion of said cake and a goodly amount of fruit punch,
Margaret sat beside Griffin against the wall, watching the other guests and the
happy couple interact.
The
bride and groom took to the dance floor and moved as though they were one body,
which in essence they now were. Frank and Hannah also danced, talking and
laughing as they often did around the manor.
Oh to
be so happily joined with another. If only…
There it
was again: the recurring, inevitable “if only.” Her nights were full of them.
She lay in bed staring up at the darkened canopy, wishing he were there beside
her. Perhaps ʼtwas wanton and wrong, or by some standards, ridiculous.
But
the heart wants what it wants. Hers wanted Griffin. Not just for a day or even a year but
forever. She loved him. ʼTwas as simple—and as complicated—as that.
He
turned to her now, and his warm, brown eyes sparkled with an invitation. “Shall
we dance?”
Her
stomach dropped. “I don’t know how.”
He
gestured to the dancing couples. “Look at the other women. And see that little
boy and girl? If they can do it, so can we. You’ll put your left hand on my
shoulder, and your right hand will hold mine. Then you’ll move your feet when I
do. Don’t worry. I’ll guide you.”
“Well…”
The need to touch him, to feel his hands on her again, outweighed her doubt.
“I’ll try.”
He led
her to the dance floor, and she did as he instructed. Leisurely, they began to
move.
Always
the teacher. What might I learn in your bed?
Heat
flushed her cheeks. Thankfully, the dance was slow; perfect for a beginner such
as she. But the gentle pace enfolded them in a mantle of intimacy.
“This
song is called ‘When I Fall in Love.’” His voice was soft and low.
“Fall?”
He
nodded in silence.
Aye,
ʼtis very much like falling. Like stepping off the side of a cliff. Once you
take that step, there’s no turning back and no stopping what’s to come.
What would
come of her feelings? Heartache? “The melody is pleasing.”
“I’ve
always thought so.”
She
looked up at him and gazed into his eyes. “You were right. Dancing isn’t as
difficult as I thought.” A grin escaped her lips. “Of course, ʼtwould be easier
in different shoes.” Her “kitten heels” turned every step into a dare.
His
smile stole her breath. “They’re not very practical, are they?”
“No. Nor
are they comfortable.” She longed to kick them off and wiggle her cramped toes,
but that must wait till later.
“You
look lovely, though.”
Suddenly,
the discomfort seemed worthwhile, and her heart shifted to a rhythm livelier
than their dance. “Thank you. You look good yourself.”
“Thank you.
You smell nice, too. Roses?”
“Aye.” His
scent seemed an intoxicating mixture of nutmeg, cinnamon, and musk. “A new
bubble bath.”
“I trust
you had a better experience this time around.”
She gave
him a rueful grin. “Easier perhaps, but not better. You weren’t there.”
His eyes
darkened, beckoned her into their depths. “Meg.” He sounded breathless.
Her
heart fluttered. “I should’ve made some excuse to summon you again. Would you
have come?”
“I would
have.”
“Would
you have helped me from the tub?”
“If you
needed help.”
Everything
else in the ballroom faded into insignificance. There was only him. “What if I
needed another kiss?”
His gaze
dropped to her lips. “No one needs a kiss.”
“I beg
to differ.” She needed so much more than that. Her stomach quivered. “But
mayhap I should beg for something else.”
“Such
as?” His husky voice caressed her ears.
“Use
your imagination, Griff. You’ll think of something.”
He
pulled her closer. The heat of his body mingled with hers. “You really
shouldn’t say such things.”
“Why
not? I’m thinking them.” And feeling things I never dreamed I could. Until
you.
“I’ve
said it before, and I’ll say it again. You’re dangerous.”
She
winced. “And you’re on my foot.”
“Oh!”
The pressure on her toes eased as he removed his foot. The song ended, and they
stilled. “Forgive me. I’m a bit…flustered.”
You’re
also irresistible.
“I know how you can make amends.”
“How?”
“Kiss
me.” She held her breath.
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