Sneak Peek at Demon of Mine - Excerpt

There are only a few days left before the release of Demon of Mine, so I thought I'd use this Wednesday's blog post to give you a sneak peek at the story. :) Here's an excerpt from early in the book:

Taking a deep breath and using a corner of her apron to wipe the last traces of tears from her eyes, Elsie slid open the hidden panel and stepped out into the corridor.She wasn't alone. Footsteps so soft she barely heard them sounded just as she emerged into view, her slippers silent against the long runner rug that she labored to beat clean every Saturday. She made to step back into the obscurity of the secret passage, but she was too late – the panel had already closed behind her. A man rounded the corner, tall, slim and heart-wrenchingly handsome.Damon. Her heart beat his name frantically. Da-mon. Da-mon. Da-mon. Only her heart had the audacity to call him by his Christian name. "Sir," she said, dipping into a curtsy that was rendered less than graceful by her wobbly knees, as if the display of formality would make up for her highly personal feelings.He paused in front of her, and when she dared to look up at him, he met her eyes. They were just as stunning as they had been seven years ago when she'd first looked into them, only now they belonged to a man instead of a sixteen year-old boy. My God. She could have lost herself in those dark pools, could have stared forever…"I'm looking for someone," he said, his voice deliciously low and smooth. If she'd heard it coming from any other man's lips, she would have thought he was planning seduction. But Damon always spoke that way. It was a part of his natural perfection, his undeniable appeal. How in the bloody world did Jenny keep from gaping at him when he passed by? It was nearly as if she wasn't a woman at all."Who, sir?" Elsie finished her curtsy, pleased to find her voice relatively steady."A housemaid called Elsie. Do you know where I might find her?" His dark eyes flickered as his gaze traveled from her head to her toes.Elsie tried to ignore the wave of heat that swept over her along with his gaze. "That's me, sir. I'm Elsie."He looked her up and down again, and a definite gleam passed through his eyes. "Indeed?"She willed her legs to support her. The last thing she needed was to collapse at his feet. After all, she'd just promised herself she wouldn't do that. And besides, she'd look like a fool. "Indeed, sir. At your service." She managed to perform another shaky curtsy without falling over."Come with me then. My mother says you're to spend some time at the country estate. She feels the fresh air may do you some good." He just barely raised an eyebrow at her, and the sight of it reminded Elsie instantly of his mother. How much had she told her son about Elsie's illness? Even if her interactions with him would be limited to the everyday inanities that might pass between a master and a servant, she'd rather he didn't think of her as a feeble invalid. "She told me you used to be one of her best servants before your health declined," he continued in his sensuously silky voice. "She hopes your health will improve at Hertfordshire so that you may return here soon."Return. Of course she would return. But right now, it was difficult to think of anything other than the fact that she'd be admiring Damon from perhaps not so far away for some time.****And don't forget to stop by here on Monday, when I'll be giving out themed prizes to random commenters to celebrate the release of Demon of Mine. :)