July 19 2011 - A Most Unusual Introduction

[Mindy]

Hey guys I'm soo sorry I'm still new with doing the Monday puzzler so I will post it as soon as I get home this evening. I was sick over the weekend and it slipped my mind. I do have it ready to go on my home computer but I'm at work. Please forgive me!

[Manda]

It's all good, Mindy! Hope you are feeling better.

[Mindy]

“We’ve got you now, thief,” said the man. Her heart plummeted into her stomach. Several steps above Freddy stood their quarry, red-faced and half-dressed, and behind him other men crowded
around the stairs to see what was happening.

Meanwhile, women in various stages of undress emerged into the hall. “Polly, go fetch the constable,” the man called to one of the women. Oh no! This was a disaster! The two men closed in on Freddy with him stammering that he just “wanted a look at it, is all.”

Hefting Freddy’s sword, she brandished it at the nearest fellow. “Let him go! Or I swear I’ll spit you like an orange!”

To her right, a voice drawled, “An orange? That’s your dire threat, my dear?” Panic seized her as she caught sight of the tall man who’d emerged from the front room. He wore no coat, waistcoat, or cravat and his shirt was opened down to the middle of his chest, but his commanding air said he would be in control of any situation, regardless of his attire. And he stood much too close.

“Stay back!” She swung the sword at him, praying she could actually use the curst thing. She hadn’t realized that swords were so heavy. “I merely want my cousin, sir, and then we’ll leave.”

“Her ‘cousin’ tried to steal my satchel, my lord,” cried their quarry. My lord? Her pulse faltered. The tall fellow didn’t look like the elegant men she’d imagined from Miss Sharpe’s novels, though he did seem to possess their arrogance. But his skin was darker than she would expect, and his eyes bore a deadly glint that shot a chill down her spine. If he was a lord, then she and Freddy were in even bigger trouble.

“You take the woman, Lord ------------,” said the other fellow, “and we’ll seize the man. We’ll hold the thieves until the constable arrives.”

“We’re not thieves!” She swung the sword between the two men, her arm aching from its weight as she glared at the man at the top of the stairs.

“You’re the thief sir. That satchel belongs to my fiancé. Doesn’t it, Freddy?”

“I’m not sure,” Freddy squeaked. “I had to bring it into the hall to get a look at it. Then this fellow started shouting, and I didn’t know what to do but run.”

“A likely tale,” their quarry sneered. “I tell you what, Tate,” Lord ------------ said, “if Miss…” When he arched one raven eyebrow at her, she answered without thinking, “Butterfield. Maria Butterfield.” “If Miss Butterfield will hand me the sword, I promise to arbitrate this little dispute to everyone’s satisfaction.”

As if she could trust a half-dressed lord in a brothel to arbitrate anything fairly. The English lords in books fell into two categories—honorable gentlemen and debauched villains. This man seemed more of the villain variety, and she wasn’t fool enough to put herself into that sort of man’s power.
“I have a better plan.” With her heart thundering in her chest, she darted forward to thrust the point of the sword at Lord ------------’s neck. “Either you tell them to let my cousin go, or you’ll be wearing this sword in your throat.”

He didn’t even flinch. An unholy amusement lit his face as he closed his hand around the blade. “There’s no chance of that, my dear.” She froze, afraid to move for fear of slicing his fingers.

“Listen well, Miss Butterfield,” he went on in a voice of frightening calm. “You’re already guilty of attempted theft, not to mention assaulting a peer. Both crimes are punishable by hanging. I’m willing to be reasonable about the assault, but only if you release the sword. In exchange, I’ll let you argue for yourself and your ‘cousin’ concerning the theft.” He said the word “cousin” with skeptical sarcasm.

“We’ll sort this out, and if I’m satisfied you’re blameless of theft, you and your companion will be free to go. Understand?”

He had her now, and clearly he knew it. If she hurt him, her life would be worth nothing among this crowd. Trying not to let her fear show, she said, “Do you swear on your honor as a gentleman to let us go if we explain everything?”

If he agreed to be reasonable, then perhaps he wasn’t a villain. Besides, he gave her little choice. A faint smile quirked up his lips. “I swear it. On my honor as a gentleman.”

She glanced to Freddy, who looked as if he might faint. Then she met Lord ------------’s gaze. “Very well. We have an agreement.”

[Mindy]

Oh I had to take out the name because it would give away the title to easily!!

[Dls]

We always take put the name. But it's especially necessary when it's part of the title which I think it is here. At least if I remember which book in the series it is.

[Okie]

Sounds like a fun read, Mindy, I know I've never read it.

[Janga]

I'm enjoying this entire series. Great choice, Mindy!

[Susan]

I loved this fish-out-of-water story! Good choice, Mindy. Thanks.

[Mindy]

Ok everyone the answer is...The Truth About Lord Stoneville by Sabrina Jeffries! Loving this series too Okie and I'm super excited for the next installment since it is Gabe's story and he's my weakness...tortured bad boy looking for redemption! Yes, I guess I'm a cliche but I love it anyway!!