Terri
That’s it, the moment you’ve been waiting for (or at least, the moment I’ve been waiting for)—Only a Duke Will Do is now in the world.
You can find it here.
One reviewer referred to Nicholas as “such a villain” and “coarse and nasty” and “so unlikeable”, but then said she was “rooting for him and cheering him on”. (In her defence and mine, she also said I did an amazing job writing him!) So, I guess that means if you really like villains, this is your sign.
(I do, as it happens, really like villains, so that checks out.)
Here’s an extract from our very first introduction to our charming (devilish) hero.
Lord Nicholas Drake cocked his pistol as he pointed it across the table at the man opposite. He couldn’t quite remember the man’s name, but that was hardly the most pertinent point. What mattered was the accusation that had come out of the man’s mouth.
He gestured with the pistol, the movement lazy. A half-drunk glass of port stood beside him, and he contemplated taking a sip just to see the fear in the man’s eyes.
Nothing scared a man more than the prospect of being shot by a drunkard.
Nicholas wasn’t drunk, but he could pretend. Just for fun.
“Say that again,” he drawled.
The man’s gaze darted to the barrel of his pistol. The workmanship of the weapon was truly spectacular; Nicholas had no particular desire to join the army and distinguish himself, but he could appreciate the craftmanship of the double-barrel flintlock pistol. He would only need one shot to kill the man, but the double trigger offered two without reloading.
“Go on,” he prompted, his voice hypnotically smooth. “Tell me again how I am cheating.”
“Well, I—” The man’s bluster faded. His face turned the blotchy pale of porridge. “There may have been some confusion.”
Nicholas rested his elbow on the table, the pistol in one hand, his aim unwavering. “I recall no confusion. I recall you, angry at my having won once again, accusing me of cheating. Now I demand recompense.”
“Please, sir,” the man begged.
“Please, sir,” Nicholas mocked. He moved his finger to cover the trigger. “Do you know what I do with gentlemen who accuse me of cheating?”
The Honorable Reginald Palsey turned to him with a frown, squinting a little in the dim candlelight. The man had needed spectacles as long as Nicholas had known him, but vanity prevented him from wearing any. “Really, Drake,” he said. “This is getting rather old. Do you mean to kill him or not?”
Nicholas considered the question as the man quaked. So many gentlemen’s courage never extended as far as their words. They were prepared to talk boldly so long as they faced no opposition, but the moment they encountered the barrel of a gun, they turned into whinging children.
He’s delightful. A little amoral, a little devil-may-care, a little about to be wildly obsessed with Amelia.
But not in love with her, of course. Definitely not. Men like him are without feelings, and especially not feelings like love. Heavens no.
Anyway, not to spoil it, but he’s a villain with a redemption arc because Amelia knows what she wants, and she might settle for a man who is not a duke, but she will not settle for anything less than absolute adoration.
You almost have to feel sorry for him.
(Convinced yet? Give it a try.)
The Romance Book Blast
I’m excited to be part of the RBB on the 28th of July, which has almost 1000 free books!
The Picture of Desire will be FREE then, so if you want it, now is the time. And there are tons of other great books there as well, so check them out.
I’ll also be posting on my social media on the day!
Other News
I’ve just this evening handed in The Scholar’s Secret to my editor! And this next week I’m going to be going on holiday to Derbyshire (channelling my inner Lizzie Bennet, though I am tragically going with my husband and thus unlikely to encounter Mr Darcy ready to throw himself in the lake for my pleasure). It’ll be a much-needed break!
If you read Only a Duke Will Do and enjoy, do please let me know. Every time someone reads my books and finds meaning there for them, it absolutely makes my day.
With love,
Terri x
