First Kiss Friday with Rue Allyn
Thank you so much for dropping by my First Kiss Friday blog. My guest today is my dear friend Rue Allyn who has an excerpt from her upcoming novel The Creole Duchess. We hope you enjoy this first kiss scene. Take it away, Rue!
Hi, I’m Rue Allyn romance novelist and general history buff. This first kiss from The Creole Duchess requires a bit of explanation. Our hero and heroine have watched each other from a distance for weeks. Just a few nights past, Caleb, our hero, attended dinner at the home of Celie’s, our heroine’s, parent’s home and was introduced to her. That, however, is the extent of their relationship, though the attraction is clear to each.
These two characters are fated, and both happen to be in the backwoods bayous one night. Celie is helping an enslaved person of color escape to a ship anchored by pre-arrangement in the bayou. Caleb is being guided to the same ship not to escape but to meet the ship’s captain, his half-brother who has been missing for a number of years. Caleb is determined on reconciliation with his brother.
At the moment this scene opens Celie and her friend have just been attacked by slave catchers. To defend herself, this gently raised young woman has killed her attacker. Caleb and his guide hear the screams of the women and hurry to join the fray.
Excerpt:
Blood.
She was covered in the man’s blood.
He lay at her side, the hilt of her dagger protruding from his chest.
Nausea filled her mouth, and she shifted away to empty her stomach onto the verge. I killed a man.
Celie retched again.
Strong hands grasped her shoulders, and she struggled, to no avail.
Her captor managed to lift her to her feet and close his arms about her, pinning her arms to her sides.
Nonetheless, she kicked and scratched wherever she could.
I won’t stop, ever.
Not until she heard the voice crooning in her ear.
“Shhh, be still, you’re safe now.”
She ceased resisting and lifted her head.
Although the light was too poor to determine eye color, the face she saw was familiar; square-jawed, sharp cheekbones, a thin blade of a nose, and a slim physique.
“Cal,” she breathed. Relief battled with fear.
“Yes, me.” In the dim light, his expression was serious.
Shaking wracked her body, and her empty stomach clenched.
“I… I… killed that man.”
The words scratched and clawed their way from her throat. Then she wept. Silent tears of horror and regret. Terrified sobs welled up, and she pressed her mouth to his chest to prevent the sound from escaping.
He lifted her legs, cradling her, and moved slowly toward the nearest trees. Soon he stopped walking and simply rocked her back and forth as one would a frightened child.
She didn’t care. Her body registered the rocking. Her breath slowed. Her heartbeat steadied. Still her mind would not unsee the empty eyes of the dead man nor her hands un-feel his blood soaking her clothes, or unhear the gurgling sounds of death.
“… were defending yourself. He attacked. You had no choice.”
Gradually, Cals words, dulled the memories and blunted the terror.
She sniffled, gulped, nodded, lifted her head and gazed into his worried blue eyes. “Will I ever forget?” she begged on a whisper.
He stopped his rocking and leaned back against a tree trunk. “I don’t know,” he said stroking her hair.
That was not the answer, the comfort she wanted. Celie wanted escape, absolution, forgiveness, so she kissed him, a soft, soothing brush of lips on lips.
He didn’t respond. Then he did. Pressing his mouth against hers, urging her to open.
She did, climbing his chest in an attempt to get closer.
He let her legs fall, then held her bottom and lifted.
Tongue met tongue. Chest leaned into chest. His leg thrust between hers, freeing his hands.
She lifted her head for air and cold sanity struck down passion.
He nibbled at her earlobe.
“Nooo.” She pushed against him.
He instantly and gently set her on the ground.
A solitary moonbeam found his face.
Are those tears gleaming in his eyes? Does he want more as much as I do? This is insane.
Out of sheer confusion, Celie slapped him.
The crack resounded like thunder in the nighttime silence.
“How dare you accost me, sir!” The words rang hollow in her ears, but she had to say something, explain away the madness.
He did laugh, then. A low throaty chuckle that made little noise but wreathed his face in a smile of surprising appeal.
Celie stared.
He bowed, as elegant a gesture as she’d ever seen in the five years since her first ball, and she’d had entirely too many men—elegant, awkward, gauche, sly, snide—approach her to be unable to discern an expert movement when she saw one.
The idea of so great a courtesy in the present circumstances was too absurd. She laughed in response.
“I beg your pardon, Celie. Please forgive my so hasty and discourteous assistance. I simply wished to help.” He said it all before raising his head. When at last he did, the mischievous twist of his lips caught her attention, and her laughter faded into a fascinated stare.
“You are forgiven, sir. But only if you tell me why you are here.”
About The Creole Duchess:
New Orleans Creole, Miss Celestine St. Cyr-Duval refuses to live under the thumb of some man chosen by her parents. Celie will do everything to keep freedom of choice for herself and others. But fate interferes in the form of a duke disguised as British businessman, Caleb Elmond. A relationship with Caleb would find approval with her mother, but both Celie and Caleb have secrets that put them on opposite sides of a great conflict and could destroy them both.
With the Battle of New Orleans looming, can these two strangers from warring countries compromise and protect each other, or will fear and betrayal end both their lives?
The Creole Duchess, Duchess Series Book Three is expected to launch in late 2023. The pre-order price of $0.99 for this long-awaited conclusion to the Duchess Series ends on October 30th, release day.
Buy Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C5MSBW3T
Books2Read: https://books2read.com/u/49vEL8.
About Rue Allyn:
Award winning author of historical romances, Rue Allyn fell in love with happily ever after the day she heard her first story. (She claims she was a precocious little brat who read at the age of two but could hear much earlier than that.) She studied literature for far too many years before discovering that writing stories was much more fun than writing about them. One of her greatest pleasures as an author is being able to read the story before anyone else. Rue is happily married to her sweetheart of many, many years. Insatiably curious, an avid reader and traveler, she loves to hear from readers about their favorite books and real-life adventures. Crazy Cat stories are especially welcome. You can contact her at Rue@RueAllyn.com. She can’t wait to hear from you.
