ISBN: 9781622663798
Book Description:
Captain Quentin Drake
returns home after his naval commission ends to find a groom being beaten in
the village stables. He refuses to turn a blind eye to the lad's mistreatment
and intervenes, taking the lad to his room. Only to discover the boy...is a
woman.
After Ally Lockwood witnesses an earl committing murder, she fears for her life. She flees his estate and masquerades as a blacksmith’s male apprentice. Her ruse is up when a handsome stranger tending to her wounds disrobes her. Captain Drake lures Ally into believing she can return to life as a woman, but it may draw the killer back on her trail.
After Ally Lockwood witnesses an earl committing murder, she fears for her life. She flees his estate and masquerades as a blacksmith’s male apprentice. Her ruse is up when a handsome stranger tending to her wounds disrobes her. Captain Drake lures Ally into believing she can return to life as a woman, but it may draw the killer back on her trail.
Finding
herself the witness to a stabbing, accused of another crime and on the
run from her family and home, Alexandra Lockwood decided the only way to
protect herself is to become a boy. Landing in a stable she finds an
injured horse that needs to be put down. The owner of the horse
discovers "him" and takes out his anger on the Ally.
Quentin
Drake is returning to England to find the young "boy" being beaten by
the horses owner. He stops the abuse and takes it upon himself to care
for the child and "his" injuries. This is where the real story begins.
What Quentin discovers under the baggy clothing leads us to a story of
love, mystery and secrets. Through his many offers to help Ally, she
refuses. She is a pretty head strong young lady, but finally she
realizes that maybe Quentin would be worth taking another look at.
This
was a fast paced, easy read short story. The action starts on page one
and doesn't let you go till the end. The author did a good job at
developing the characters well and bringing the story to life. We are
left with some questions unanswered but for a short story it didn't have
the rushed feel to me. I will admit I am not a fan of historical time
periods, so I did struggle with the language and customs for this book.
I want to make it clear, that is my opinion only, NOT a reflection of
the authors ability to bring us a wonderful story. If historical, short
stories is your kind of read then you will not be disappointed with this
book.
“I’m without clothing, in a room with a stranger. I
hardly think I should appreciate my circumstances. Give me back my clothes.” Ally
pulled the coverlet higher as though a piece of fabric could put distance
between them.
“Your boy’s clothes you mean, or do you have a dress
stashed somewhere?” The tiniest hint of sarcasm laced Quentin’s voice.
She flinched. If
he’d meant to harm her, certainly he would have done so by now. “My trousers
and shirt should do nicely. Thank you.”
He leaned back, assessing every corner of her face. “They
are currently being laundered by the maid. I considered having her bring a
dress for you to wear, but then I thought perhaps you didn’t want your little
ruse out in the open.”
His affable smile did little to dampen her distress,
although it was probably safe to believe he didn’t know her real identity. She
didn’t dare trust him, but something in his eyes settled her unease. Slightly.
“Am I correct in assuming you’re the only person who knows you brought a woman
to your room?”
His eyes widened a fraction.
“Does anyone else know I’m here?” Is this what her life
had become? She was more frightened of someone finding out her identity than of
being completely naked, alone in a room with a stranger.
“The innkeeper assumes I brought a boy to my room, if
that’s what you mean, but I have a few questions of my own.” He leaned forward,
resting his elbows on his knees, and pinned her with a stare. “Name?”
She pulled the blanket more tightly around her shoulders
and pressed her lips together.
“Why are you dressed like a boy? You sound as though
you’ve had some education. If you’re a lady—”
“I’m not going to
answer any of your questions.”
“I warn you.” Firelight reflected within the dark depths
of his eyes. There was a coldness in them. An emptiness. “I haven’t slept for
days and my patience is wearing thin. How did a woman of some education come to
be in this situation?”
She scooted straighter in the bed in an attempt to show
she didn’t fear him. “I’m sorry if I’ve been a burden to you, er, Mr. Drake and
I thank you for not leaving me in that stall, but if you’ll get my clothes,
I’ll just be on my way.”
“I wouldn’t cast out an injured dog, let alone a young
woman without protection.”
Rebecca Thomas
enjoys a love-hate relationship with Alaska. She lives there with her bush
pilot husband and two teenaged sons where she appreciates all the unique things
the last frontier has to offer. When she isn’t reading, writing, or playing
board games, she is cheering for her sons at their hockey games and tennis
matches.
A reluctant reader as a child, she didn’t
become interested in books until her teen years when she discovered historical
romance. Now she loves all sub-genres of romance and can’t decide which one is
her favorite.
Rebecca earned a bachelor’s degree in
Education from the University of Alaska and was employed in the airline
industry for several years before working in her current position as a program
manager in a higher education.
Awards: Rebecca’s work
has won first place in the Ignite the Flame, Emerald City Opener, Gateway to
the Best, and Merritt writing contests.
Thank you for having me as a guest on your site, Crystal! And for giving a historical story a chance, even if it isn't your usual sub-genre of romance. I appreciate it.
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