Hello folks, you are a lucky bunch as I have yet another fabulous guest post from the talented and lovely author Elle Q. Sabine. This post features a journal entry from Lord Oliver Morewell who is a character in Elle's latest book for Pride Publishing. I shall not say any more, and let Elle's wonderful words tell you more.
Copyright
2015 by Elle Q. Sabine (elleqsabine@gmail.com).
All rights reserved. Permission granted for publishing by Daniel
Riding at www.danielriding.com.
From
the Journal of Lord Oliver Morewell
4
August 1824
Dear
Diary,
The
long years in Amsterdam, with its cooling sea breezes, spoiled me.
London in summer is not beautiful. The City is hot and smoke sits
somnolently at every venue, even drifting inside the houses.
Unpleasant smells waft through the air at all hours, and the
afternoons are commensurately miserable.
I
now understand why the haut ton, indeed everyone of any class who
can, retreat to the country in summer. At least in the countryside
there are the usual pursuits where one can find a hint of a breeze or
fresh air. I have gone down to our villa in Merton several days this
month, but the place is lonely with only the caretakers present. I
much prefer to visit when Alden can accompany me.
Lennox
House, despite the summer, is much more amenable. Lady Winchester is
here with His Grace, the Duke. Her daughters call – three of the
four girls have visited since we've arrived. The eldest, Lady Fiona,
is expected in September. Lady Winchester has graciously surrendered
much of the household management to me, a duty for which I am
grateful. I do not like being idle, not even if it means indulging in
musical pursuits all day. She is content to pour the tea that I've
ordered and to preside as the hostess at the dinners I've organized.
She's also grateful for an escort in the evening when she attends
events, an office I'm happy to provide. Neither the Duke nor my Alden
wish to go out every evening, despite my blatant encouragement.
I
confess I was surprised at my reception among the ton. It was years
ago that Alden and I were informed bluntly that our understanding was
well-known among the ton, and consequently we could expect to be cut
outright should we attempt to ingratiate ourselves into these gilded
circles. However, now that I am no longer a young twenty and my
powers of observation have improved, I realize there are others like
Alden and I in society. It seems discretion is our primary byword to
a happy and welcome life among the English.
I
do not suggest that there have been no adverse reactions. Certainly
there have been a few ladies and gentlemen who have appeared
distinctly uncomfortable when introduced, but these individuals do
not represent the powerful. The hostesses who remain in Town for the
summer do so because their families are essential to ensuring the
proper functioning of government – primarily the powerful
diplomatic and ministry families. These ladies have been nearly
universally gracious to me, and the invitations for Alden and I both,
though addressed individually, continue to pour in on a daily basis.
When greeted, most ask me directly about my Alden, as though they
imagine I'm holding him hostage in his father's own house. Any
disapprobation I've felt has been centered on his absence, rather
than our appearance together.
I
do believe my Alden would draw much attention if he would allow me to
turn him out and take him about with me more frequently. Just last
night, he reluctantly agreed to attend a dinner at the Dutch embassy.
Sjors and Wendelin are the ambassadors' sons, and very well-known to
us in Amsterdam, so refusing would have been rude of him. I insisted
my Alden wear the beautiful pearl-colored breeches with a mint green
waistcoat. The buttons were mother-of-pearl, of course. The jacket
was Schultz, a verdant green in color. I ensured his boots were
polished so well that they gleamed under the chandeliers. Next to my
regulation black evening wear, my Alden was positively breathtaking.
He mutters that such old-fashioned formal Court apparel is
ostentatious but I know him well. He is secretly pleased to indulge
me, and in such attire, he cuts a perfect figure. A positive Adonis,
he is, when he permits me to dress him. Such clothing suits his
impressive height and marvelous shoulders. He draws attention at any
appearance, from females and males alike. I admit to no small amount
of pride, knowing he's mine.
After
the outing to the embassy, we returned to Lennox House. I own to
demonstrating just how much I enjoyed the excursion with him. It does
no small amount of good to reinforce my appreciation of his company.
For his part, Alden was abundantly clear that he intended to exhaust
me so thoroughly that I would be content to stay quietly in the house
today, instead of trying to inveigle him to go out with me. I will
spare him any undignified begging, but I do plan to attend an
entertainment at Lady Arbuthnot's this evening with Lady W.
For
all that Alden and I have been welcomed back into the London fold, I
am patently aware that all is not yet resolved. My own family – the
pater, my eldest brother Morpeth, mother and sister-in-law – are
not in London. Their disapproval remains a shadow over us. When the
family returns and makes clear that I have been banished from their
presence, will those who have welcomed us this past month feel
compelled to tow a social line and expel us from their ranks again?
I
am but a second son with little influence and no powerful friends
beyond Alden and his family. Ousting Alden, as Lennox's regent, would
be much more difficult if he had established his social presence more
firmly upon our return. Lennox and Lady Winchester are a perfect
example of how a relationship outside the morals of the Church may be
acceptably managed with society. Gentlemen, moreover, often appear at
events in packs together. If I were to kiss him in the middle of Hyde
Park or waltz down a lady's ballroom in his arms? Such behavior would
naturally condemn us. However much such a thing might be a fantasy, I
do not propose such an action.
My
father could never grasp that, in my early twenties, I was not
prepared to accept any interference in my relationship with Alden,
certainly not marriage. Now, either Alden or I would be willing to
marry under the proper circumstances – but not at the cost of the
relationship between us. Any female with whom we would consort would
need to be intimately close to both of us and accept our close
friendship, and we would both need to care for her deeply.
If
we ever find such a paragon, Alden and I agree to never let her go.
Oliver
Lord
Oliver Morewell is a featured character in Pride Publishing's TheSecond Sons
by Elle Q. Sabine, set for general release on August 4, 2015.
Summary:
Oliver and Alden quickly realize they want Lady Fiona de
Rothesay, but she keeps a secret. Convincing her to trust them is
going to be more difficult than they expected.
Lady
Fiona de Rothesay isn’t like her sisters, or even the typical
academic bluestocking. She has a secret life, and she’s determined
to live it without interference, despite the overbearing supervision
she unexpectedly acquires with the return of the Duke of Lennox’s
prodigal second son — and his lover.
Lord
Oliver Morewell was perfectly happy living in Amsterdam with the love
of his life. However, Lord Alden Swenson has been summoned to England
for at least the next twenty years, and Oliver is committed to his
lover. He also won’t deny what his soul knows to be true. Alden is
his past, present and future, but Fiona belongs there, too.
Lord
Alden can cope with the disapprobation of Oliver’s family and the
whispers of society, but Fiona is a complication he did not expect,
despite the vivid fantasies he and Oliver have had about finding a
woman to make their relationship complete.
Once
Fiona is in residence, wild horses can’t keep him away, despite her
stubborn streak of independence and outright refusal to explain her
mysterious absences, late night disappearances and male companions.
Alden and Oliver will have to conquer Fiona’s distrust, her
secrets, but most of all her heart in their search for perfect, if
unconventional, love.
Links:
You can buy The
Second Sons
at major online retailers, including Amazon
(UKversion), Barnes& Noble, Kobo,
and iBooks,
or purchase a copy directly from PridePublishing.
For
an extended sample from this book, visit Elle's blog byclicking here.
About
Elle Q. Sabine: I write stories to entertain my friends and
amuse myself. I hope romance lovers everywhere will love them as much
as I do. I live among the redwoods in the very great state of
California with a devoted Mr. Sabine, one golden-headed daughter and
one loving, eternally young pup. Yes, those are my curls and part of
my study bookshelves. In my spare time, I love to explore fairy
circles, climb to high places to see the Pacific and look at the
bottom of the Golden Gate Bridge.
You
can find me online at http://elleqsabine.wordpress.com,
on Twitter at www.twitter.com/elleqsabine
or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/elleqsabine.
I currently write for Totally Bound and Pride Publishing.
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