First Kiss Friday with Ruth A. Casie.

Welcome to my First Kiss Friday blog. My returning guest today is Ruth A. Casie who has an excerpt from A Vow from the Viscount. We hope you enjoy this excerpt. Happy reading and take it away Ruth!

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Mary-Ann Ravenstock and Quinton Hollingsworth have known each other for years, their affection tested by time and duty. Now, on the eve of his departure for the Peninsula, he cannot leave without sealing his vow to her. This moment marks the first kiss we see on the page—an unforgettable promise of love and forever.

Excerpt – First Kiss Scene (from Chapter 3):

The following morning, with mist along the rooftops, Mary-Ann’s mind refused to stay in the present. She conjured up the last time she’d seen Quinton before he left for the Peninsula.

It had been early spring then, too. The cherry trees had just begun to bloom along the edge of the Seaton drive, and the breeze carried the scent of sea salt and wild thyme. He had arrived early, dressed in his regimentals, the gold buttons glinting beneath a gray sky. His horse fidgeted near the gate, sensing Quinton’s tension. So had she.

“You’re leaving now,” she had said, trying not to let it sound like an accusation. Try as she may, her voice caught anyway.

“It’s only a short mission.” He had smiled, that half-smile that never quite hid the sharpness in his eyes. “I’ll be back before you miss me.” He answered with a quick, quiet chuckle.

She stepped closer, and his laughter quickly faded.

He was still, his expression softened as he looked down at her. He gently slipped his arms around her and drew her into his embrace.

She went to him without any resistance, resting her hands on the front of his coat, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breath and the firm line of his shoulder beneath her cheek.

“I’ll miss you the moment you’re gone,” she whispered.

“I’ll write every week,” he promised. “Now, don’t lose any of my letters,” he added with a wry tilt of his head.

“I never lose ledgers,” she said, defiant even then. “Why would I misplace something that matters to me more?”

He sobered at that, his hands lifting to cradle her face. His brow touched hers. “I love you, my Mary-Ann. Always remember that. I vow to you that when I come back, I’ll make you my wife.”

She’d nodded, too choked for words.

He kissed her. Not gently, not cautiously, but as if sealing his vow with something more permanent than paper. It was the kind of kiss that branded itself into memory. The kind that lived in the spaces between heartbeats. Her hands tightened in the front of his coat as her feet left the ground just slightly, as though the force of it lifted her. Time blurred. The scent of him, the heat, the certainty. Everything else fell away. It wasn’t her first kiss. But it was the first that made her believe in forever.

Mary-Ann’s fingers touched her lips. She could still feel the pressure of it, the promise that it held. He had mounted his horse, turned back once to tip his fingers in salute, and then he was gone down the lane, his red coat disappearing like a flag swallowed by the mist.

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A Vow for the Viscount – Book 4 of Barrington’s Brigade
By Ruth A. Casie

Secrets don’t stay buried. Neither does love.

When Viscount Quinton Hollingsworth returns after three years missing in action, he finds Mary-Ann Seaton caught in a dangerous game of secrets, shadows, and betrayal. She once vowed to love him forever. Now she doesn’t know if she can trust him at all. But when the truth puts both their lives at risk, they’ll have to decide if love and the promises they once made are worth fighting for.

 A Vow for the Viscount A Vow for the Viscount is available now — a tale of love tested by secrets, honor, and a promise that refuses to be broken. 

Now available at https://books2read.com/BB-Vow4Viscount

Available on Kindle Unlimited and in paperback wherever books are sold.

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Barrington’s Brigade

Barrington’s Brigade follows six war-forged officers who return to England as titled gentlemen, only to find themselves embroiled in a secret society’s dangerous legacy. Bound by loyalty and haunted by the past, each must navigate peril, politics, and passion in pursuit of truth and love.

Book 1 – A Marriage for the Marquess
A marriage of convenience, a game of hearts.

Book 2 – A Dilemma for the Duke
In a game of loyalty and lies, surrendering to love is the boldest move of all.

Book 3 – A Redemption for the Baron
A tale of love and sacrifice, where the path to justice leads straight through the heart.

Book 4 – A Vow for the Viscount
Two hearts. One reckoning. A vow that changes everything.

Book 5 – A Reckoning for the Earl (January 2026)
When trust cuts deep and love even deeper, reckoning isn’t optional.

Book 6 – A Masquerade for the Baron (April 2026)
Stolen kisses. Ruthless enemies. A love unmasked.

If you’ve missed getting any of the stories, here is the link to the series: https://amzn.to/4888I8Y  

About the Author

Ruth A Casie writes historical adventures from the shores of medieval Scotland to the cobblestone streets of Regency London. Her stories embrace strong woman and the men who deserve them. Within the pages you’ll discover ‘edge-of-your-seat suspense, mind boggling drama, and heart melting emotions. Grab your favorite cup of tea, or an ale if you prefer, and join her heroes and heroines as they race across the pages to find their happily ever after. Ruth hopes her stories are your next favorite adventures!

Website http://www.RuthACasie.com
Email Ruth@RuthACasie.com