Desperate and Daring 02 - Belle of the Ball (20 page)

Just One Kiss

Coming Spring 2015

Hazel watched Anabelle depart with a measure of sadness. Her sister was gone, not permanently of course, but they no longer lived together. They would no longer share a wall or a midnight talk when one of them had a bad dream. She pushed away from the doorway and slipped through the crowd to the stairs. She was suddenly feeling weepy, and she didn’t want anyone to see. On the first floor, she stepped behind a pillar and took a breath. She closed her eyes, tightly pinching them against the pressure of tears.

“Do you wish to be alone?” The voice startled her.

Her eyes popped open and she found a familiar face staring across from her from the alcove of a recessed window.

“Lord Bainbridge, I did not see you there.” She had that breathless feeling in her chest again. She always had it when she saw him.

“That was obvious. I should have made my presence known to you. My apologies.” He nodded politely.

“No apologies are necessary.” Hazel tried to sound casual.

“The view is lovely from here. One can see most of the drive. Your sister and her new husband are departing,” he informed her.

“I know, I just… I will miss her dearly and I needed a moment to compose myself.”

“That is understandable. I can see how it must be difficult to lose one’s sibling, even on such a happy occasion as marriage.”

“Yes, but I shall prevail.” Hazel attempted to joke. “I know I will see her again soon. It’s just strange to be apart when we’ve never been apart. Change is scary.”

“Come see her. You will regret it if you don’t.” He waved her over.

Hazel stepped forward, but the window recess was not roomy and she would be standing very close to him.

“Come, Lady Hazel. I only have the best intentions.” He smiled.

Hazel was caught off guard by the effect of that smile. She stepped closer to him and turned to face the window. She could feel his nearness. With very little effort, she could lean back against him. It was so very tempting. She looked out the window as Draven and Anabelle were waving from the window of the carriage as it rolled down the drive.”

“Everyone fears change, Lady Hazel, but without it, there would be no butterflies,” he said behind her.

She stilled. She felt the words as if they were spoken against her skin. She turned and looked over her shoulder at him. She didn’t have anything to say, or rather, couldn’t form anything coherent enough worth saying. He smiled as he looked down at her. Then it faded and he looked very serious.

“Just one kiss,” he said.

She didn’t dare move as his head slowly lowered and his lips touched hers. It was soft and inquiring, this kiss. There was no pressure, no demand. Just a question in the form of a kiss, but she didn’t know what the question was. He pulled back. She opened her eyes. He was looking down at her, his features still serious, yet softened.

“Thank you. I will leave you now.”

Flummoxed, Hazel nodded and he moved away. As silent as a cat, he disappeared down the stairs. She licked her lips. They felt entirely normal, but on the inside, she felt entirely different.

Thank you for reading
Belle of the Ball!
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5. Look for Hazel’s story, Just One Kiss, coming in Spring 2015

I have been obsessively reading romance novels since I was fourteen. Every few months, my aunt would send a box of books to my older sister, who was not nearly as interested in reading, and I would sneak out the romance novels. I started writing my own stories to appease my imagination, until I had the means and transportation to buy my own books. I have given oral reports on them in school, and I have been in trouble plenty of times for reading during lectures. I live in Southern California with my husband, my son, and soon to be daughter due February 2015. It is my dream to be at home with my kids, and to write love stories that I can share with readers like me.
Mine, All Mine
was my beginning, and there is so much more to come!

To Hanna,

You are still baking in my belly but I thought you should know you made this book difficult to write. Pregnancy brain is real, and creativity disappears when nausea and exhaustion have taken hold. But, I still can’t wait to meet you and you are already very much a part of this family. I have so many hopes and dreams for you. One of them is that you will love reading as much as I do. I love you, little girl. I will see you and hold you very soon.

Belle of the Ball

©copyright 2014 Ella J. Quince

www.ejqbooks.com

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission with the exception of brief quotations for use in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places, and events are the product of this author’s imagination and being used fictitiously.