July 31 Giveaway
THE PENDULUM
by Tarah Scott
Rating: HOT
Can a woman bring an earl to justice for the murder of her
sister?
Lady Airin Keith will not rest until Lord Jason Bothwell is tried and convicted
for the murder of his young wife. An unexpected marriage proposal brings an
opportunity to prove Bothwell's guilt, but the knight who appears with her
great grandmother's lost brooch threatens to interfere with Airin's brand of
justice when he demands the agreed payment of marriage.
A classic tale of murder, deceit and fraud that can be exposed only once the pendulum stops.
I'm ending Christmas in July with my novella, THE PENDULUM. When I last featured this novella, I shared a teaser that hinted at the dynamics between the hero and heroine. Here, I'm going to give you the opening.
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Lady Airin Keith slid free the bolt, then inched open the hidden door to the Scarlet Knight’s bedchamber. Light sliced across the floor in a single, thin strand, and music mingled with male laughter seeped into the room from the great hall below. She hesitated. The hallway door had been left ajar. Had the knight already taken to his bed? Curse him and her father. She had ridden hard in order to arrive before it was too late.
She cocked an ear, straining to hear light snoring or breathing. Nothing. The hour was not yet nine. Surely, the knight would not leave the merry making so early? Mayhap he was unable to hold his liquor. That would serve her well, but no man such as the Scarlet Knight could be anything less than a skilled drunkard.
Airin pushed open the door several inches and peered into the dark until the bed took shape. Thank the saints, empty. She whirled, her long braid snapping around to her belly, and hurried back twenty feet to retrieve her lit candle. Back at the door, she stepped into the room as a man staggered down the hallway. She jerked her head right as his plaided backside disappeared from view. A moment later, his roar of laughter echoed up the stairs he descended.
Fool. ‘Twould serve him right if he landed skull first on the great hall’s stone floor. Airin hurried to the hall door. With a quick glance through the slitted opening, she clicked the door shut, then turned. She blew out a long breath. When this was finished, she would teach her father a lesson for such underhanded dealing.
Her gaze fell on a table sitting beneath a lavishly curtained window directly opposite her. On the table sat a small, unadorned, wooden box. Airin straightened. The box looked like that which Perry had described. She lifted the candle and peered at it. By the saints, could the burglary be accomplished so easily? At least eighty men milled about the castle. Yet, no guard stood watch outside the room. Mayhap the Scarlet Knight was not as canny as was said. The thought should have soothed; instead, dread coiled like an adder around her insides.
She hurried around the bed to the table, then stopped, afraid of what she might find.
“Ridiculous,” she muttered. Her great grandmother’s brooch had disappeared seventy years ago without a trace. The Scarlet Knight’s claim that he had found it was false.
She set the candle on the table and lifted the box. Music abruptly lifted in a hard crescendo. Airin stood, heart pounding, as the music dropped again into a low hum. The merry making would continue through the night. Anger simmered just below the level of control. Aye, Scarlet Knight, make merry while you can. Tomorrow you return home—without the bride you thought to claim.
Airin opened the box. There, on purple velvet, lay an ornate silver brooch.
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I have this one! I'm searching for it now (I had lost my last laptop and my books) so I hope I had this saved, so I so want to read this one. Historicals are just so great to read! I did read one titled ROSE BLOOMS too. Do you plan to write any more in this series from TWRP?
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WHEN A ROSE BLOOMS, right, Caffey, that one is mine as well. No, sorry, no other stories are planned in connection with that piece. That was my first short historical. I loved writing it. I really got to indulge the poet in me. I'm so glad these stories brought you pleasure.
I am working on a series, novel length. You can find tidbits on my website.
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This one sounds great! I can't wait to read it.
I've really enjoyed Christmas in July. It's been great to read all the comments that were posted. Thanks for all the prizes that were donated. And congrats to all the winners.
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Sounds like a terrific read! And PhyllisC is right; this contest has been fun!
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oh wow its in the time I like and it sounds so good I hope to get me a ebook soon I want so many differnt books
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Your book look great. I love historicals.
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Historicals are my favorites too. This one sounds interesting and unusual.
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Sounds wonderful. I love historicals.
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Hi Tarah! I just wanted to thank you for all the hard work you and the other authors put into the contest, it was fabulous! I all ready have the Pendulum and look forward to reading it!!!
Thanks again!!!
Andrea :O)
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This was a fun contest.
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Tarah, I'd love to win your book!
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I love a good mystery with my romance. Thank you, Tarah. This month has been fun.
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Well, a bit of tarnish on this Knight in not so shining armor...
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Thanks Tarah. I have been watching whats coming from you and lots to look forward to!
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