Chasing the Other Tisdale
by Jessica Jefferson
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
She’s the other sister…
Overshadowed by the beauty of her older sister, Lillian is
better known as the other Tisdale; unremarkable and unsure how she will ever
deliver on the promise of her family's name.
He’s a rake in need of reforming…
Will Colton leads a frivolous existence, embracing notoriety
instead of managing his family’s fortune. Determined to forget his financial
burden and his father’s growing resentment, he maintains a lifestyle dedicated
to pleasure and self-indulgence. When Will is invited to the Tisdale estate for
an extended holiday, he never expects to become friends with the forgettable
Lillian. But when a family secret comes to light, he must choose between leaving
London and protecting the honor of one woman or staying and risking the
reputation of another.
Upon his return, Will finds the girl he left behind has come
out of the shadows and into her own. Lillian’s finally the center of attention,
and not all of it good. With his own reputation in tatters, can a reformed rake
lure her out of the hands of London's bachelors and back into his own arms? Can
he escape his past and reclaim her heart, or has he lost her forever?
EXCERPT
Lilly came upon a turn and recognized a rose bush as one she’d passed
just moments before. She stopped walking, fisted her hands at her sides and
sighed. “I’m never going to make it out of here. I’m going to be a victim of
Vauxhall Gardens.”
“There are worse places to die.”
Lilly froze, instantly recognizing the voice behind her.
Recognizing, but not believing it could be him. Two years—it was so long
ago, but still felt like yesterday all at the same time. She turned very
slowly, trying to brace herself against the blow of seeing him again.
William Colton. His hair was a bit longer, curling around his ears and
neck, and his clothing had seen better days. But those eyes—there was still a
hint of teasing dancing in them just as there’d always been.
“Hello, Miss Lilly.”
His voice was smooth as honeyed tea, sliding down her throat and warming
her stomach. “Mr. Colton,” she returned curtly. Seasons of letters, profound
loss, and two years without so much as a word, and all he could muster was a
paltry hello?
“I didn’t expect to see you tonight,” he remarked. “Especially not
here.”
“Imagine how I feel,” she countered.
He looked around the path before settling his sky blue gaze back on her.
“Are you here with your family?”
She squared her shoulders, feeling particularly indignant. Small talk?
Was he truly making small talk? And why would he just assume she was with her
parents? What woman took romantic strolls through the garden with her parents?
How dare he assume she wasn’t married! “If you must know, I was taking a walk
with a gentleman when we became separated by a large mob of dancers.”
The corner of his lips turned up at that.
Damn him for smiling.
“I saw them,” he said. “The fireworks will be starting soon, they’re
trying to gather up stragglers.”
“Well, they forgot one.”
“Two,” he corrected.
“Two,” she repeated. “I don’t suppose you’re lost as well?”
“Would you believe I’ve been wandering around here for the last two
years?”
She shook her head. “That would be a most convenient excuse, but no.
Everyone knows where you’ve been.”
His brow raised. “And just where is that?”
Lilly jutted her chin. “All about the continent, enjoying yourself
immensely, or so I’ve heard.”
AUTHOR Bio and
Links:
Jessica Jefferson makes her home in northern Indiana, or as she likes to
think of it—almost Chicago. She is
heavily inspired by classic sweeping, historical romance novels, but aims to
take those key emotional elements and inject a fresh blend of quick dialogue
and comedy. She invites you to
visit her at jessicajefferson.com and read more of her random romance musings.
Links and social media:
Like me at
Chasing the Other Tisdale, Compromising Miss Tisdale and Taming Miss
Tisdale from Soul Mate Publishing, available now on Amazon!
Jessica will be awarding
a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the
tour, and a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn host.
Follow the tour and
comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour
dates can be found here:
Enjoyed the excerpt today.
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ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this excerpt! Thanks!
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