RRR presents... THE REBEL HEIRESS AND THE KNIGHT by Melissa Oliver - EXCERPT!

Hi there!

Welcome back to another day, another post here at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers!

Today, we've got another Rachel's Random Resources tour featuring a new title via Harlequin Books/Mills & Boon.  It's a Historical Romance (ooh la la!) from a new to me author, but hey...I'm always ready with a pen and paper to add something new to my wish list! Let's check out the overview and then get between the pages!

The Rebel Heiress and the Knight

by

Melissa Oliver

Mills & Boon

About the book...

She must marry the knight
By order of the king!

Widow Eleanor of Tallany Castle knows her people are broken by the taxes demanded by King John. So when she’s ordered to marry Hugh de Villiers, a knight loyal to the king, she’s furious—even if he is handsome! As gallant Hugh begins to heal the scars of Eleanor’s abusive first marriage, she’s even more determined to keep her secret: she is the outlaw the king wants to send to the gallows!

AMAZON

US  |  UK

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!!!   EXCERPT   !!!

The extract below is a scene after the shock of discovering that the missive by King John demands that Hugh de Villiers and widow- Lady Eleanor Tallany become betrothed to one another. Knowing the king as he did, Hugh is reluctantly reconciled to his fate but Eleanor has different ideas- especially as her first marriage was a total disaster.

This is a snippet of their conversation later, in private….

‘I had thought or rather hoped, that I might be forgotten, especially now that I’m an old widow.’

‘An old widow? You cannot be more than twenty, my lady.’

‘I’m one and twenty, sir.’

‘You’re right, you must be ancient,’ he chuckled, shaking his head. ‘And as for being forgotten? That is not possible.’

Eleanor rolled her eyes and walked to the arched window, peering outside. ‘No, not for all the riches I bring.’

‘That is not the only thing, my lady.’ He followed her. ‘Tell me, are you always so forthright in your manner?’

‘I speak as I find,’ she said with her back to him.

‘Even though it’s not usual for a lady of your standing to be so…blunt.’ Eleanor heard him move toward her and was no doubt standing behind her.

‘I suppose you could say that I do not possess the necessary maidenly manners that I’m sure you’re used to, Sir Hugh.’

‘You surprise me. Why do you not possess those maidenly manners?’

‘There was never any need,’ she muttered, turning around to face him. No need for a brute of a husband whom she’d come to despise and the king he’d served so faithfully as this man did before her.

‘Is that so?’ he said as she shrugged her shoulders. ‘You would if you came to court, my lady, instead of burying yourself up here. Why didn’t you?’

Lord above, how had this man managed to get himself in the position of interrogator? He was good, dangerously good. Eleanor would have to watch her step with him.

‘I was otherwise indisposed.’

‘Ah, and is that why you ignored the summons of your king?’

‘Of course not. You now appreciate that I had not been well,’ she said.

He inclined his head. ‘Indeed. I am glad to see you in good health now, my lady.’

Eleanor exhaled slowly, surprised that she had been holding her breath.

‘Well, Sir Hugh, what are we to do about our…. predicament? You know King John, as I do not. How do we get out of this unwanted marriage?’

‘There is no way out of our predicament, as you call it. Once King John sets his mind on something, he is not easily swayed.’

‘Surely there must be something we can do.’

‘Would you refuse your king?’ He looked shocked, affronted even.

‘Sir Hugh, I am named after the king’s mother and my own served as one of her ladies when she was queen. My family have always been loyal subjects, so you will understand if I don’t honour your question with an answer.’

‘Very well, but be under no illusion. There is no question of refusing the king’s request of our betrothal. He would think it a huge insult and it would be in all our interests not to persist with that, my lady.’

There was no denying the mild warning, laced in what he was saying. Yes, Eleanor was right to be cautious with Sir Hugh de Villiers. Still, she couldn’t resist a little probing of her own.

‘Do you always do everything the king bids?’

‘Naturally, I’m sworn to him. I may be a soldier and not an ideal husband but if this is what King John wants, then so be it.’

‘As easy as that?’

‘It has to be,’ he said softly, watching her as she bit her lip, turning away. How? How was she going to get him to understand that this was an impossible situation for her to be in? Yet she knew that no amount of explanation would change the course her life was once again taking.

He was still staring at her. ‘So, my lady, are we in agreement?’

‘No.... no, we are not.’

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About the author...

Growing up in Richmond- Upon-Thames, Melissa Oliver used to walk past the old Mills and Boon offices as a teen, and wistfully sigh that one day her dream of writing for them will come true. Amazingly, after all these years, it finally has...& now she can bring all those stories out onto the pages of her books. Melissa lives in south-west London with her gorgeous husband and equally gorgeous daughters, who share her passion for castles, palaces and all things historical.

TWITTER  |  FACEBOOK

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Special thanks to Rachel at Rachel's Random Resources for the chance to bring this tour to you. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, this promotion, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. Be sure to check out the rest of tour for more bookish fun!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!