Pages

Sunday, December 20, 2020

Grace by Contract by Rachel Rossano


  Rachel Rossano is a happily married mother of three children. She spends her days teaching, mothering, and keeping the chaos at bay. After the little ones are in bed, she immerses herself in the fantasy worlds of her books. Tales of romance, adventure, and virtue set in a medieval fantasy world are her preference, but she also writes speculative fantasy and a bit of science fiction.







After her father uproots the family to the northern duchy of Brackenhurst, Grace Eldon and her four younger sisters struggle with a new life of hardship. Desperate to keep a roof over their heads amid mounting debts, she and her youngest sister seek employment in the Duke of Brackenhurst’s household despite fearsome rumors.

Scarred and maimed from a terrible fire Silas Isling, Duke of Brackenhurst, buries himself in his work to avoid the stares of pity and fear. When one of the new maids shows no fear at his appearance, he is intrigued. That is until his meddling steward gives her the task of cleaning Silas’ bookroom. It is a most unwelcome disruption since he prefers to be alone.

While a thief plagues his castle, an old nemesis reappears, and enemies invade in the guise of guests. Amidst the distractions and chaos, Grace brings some unexpected order. Once convinced his scars had stolen all hope for love, Silas finds his life forever changed by the quiet maid. Could she love a scarred Duke?

  
  







Excerpt #3

Grace

 

As relative silence filled the hall, Silas, Faramond, and the stranger all approached the bottom of the stairs where the dog and I waited. The animal at my feet wiggled in anticipation of the squat mans approach. I was tempted to release the dog, but a glare from Faramond made it clear that he would give me a piece of his mind if I did.

Stay, Whip. Dont pull that poor ladys arms off, foolish beast.” The man turned to Faramond. The dog is worth his feed and housing.”

He herded the sheep into my keep,” Silas pointed out calmly. That is hardly a mark of a sensible field dog.”

Only because your lads gave him mixed signals.” The shepherd leaned on his staff. He is eager to please as the next dog and a hair younger than most in the job, but I figured that you could train him to your needs. He comes from a long line of faithful creatures.”

Faramond grunted, arms crossed over his chest and tension in his stance clearly communicating his irritation. He had been much more ill-tempered of late. I wondered if he ever recovered the item stolen from his room.

Silas didnt even look at his steward, though. Instead, he calmly thanked the stranger, arranged for the mans accommodation with a passing servant, and assured him of payment come morning. Once the man was dismissed and safely out of hearing range, Faramond didnt wait to share his opinion.

Useless, good-for-nothing, flea-bitten mongrel—”

Enough.” Silasfirm order stopped Faramond cold, but still the man visibly struggled to keep his temper.

It sounds as though the dog was only following orders,” I offered quietly.

It does.” Silas offered the pup his hand, which was eagerly slobbered. He obviously needs training, but if his heritage is as claimed, it might be worth the effort.”

No.” Faramond shook his head. I refuse to take the beast on as a sheepdog.”

I refuse to take an animal on without him earning his keep,” Silas replied.

Have him guard your workroom, give him to the gatehouse keeper, just please give him any job other than the sheep,” the steward pleaded.

The dog nuzzled Silasfingers as though asking for a scratch, which Silas absentmindedly gave.

I will find him a place, then.” The duke eyed me for an inordinately long time. For now, he needs feeding and training. What say you, Grace? Do you think you can harness his energy into obedience?”

As though knowing that he was being discussed, the large puppy launched himself at me. Planting paws on my skirts, he attempted to lick my face. I laughed, fending him off with my hands.

I will take that as a yes.” Silas nodded at Faramond. Leave him with us and see to the sheep.”

 





a Rafflecopter giveaway





No comments:

Post a Comment