K. R. Richards Blog

Lords of Retribution has been released!

So, I will share a snippet from the upcoming Lords of Atonement!

Snippet of Lachlan and Wednesday from Book 4, Lords of Atonement, the final book of the Lords of Avalon series

“What is the name of this book your brother left beside his bedside?”

“The Enchanted Forest.” Wednesday grinned as she pushed her spectacles back up. “It’s rather whimsical, about knights and ladies and it’s rather romantic. It’s certainly not what Charlie would normally read.”

“And do you like reading about knights and ladies and romance, Lady Wednesday?” Lachlan looked into her large golden, owl-like eyes. He actually had thoughts in his head that very moment about romancing one Lady Wednesday Inwood.

His leg had pained him severely after enduring the long journey from London to Cornwall. To forget his pain last evening, he allowed his thoughts to wander to Lady Wednesday during his sleepless hours. She was just as appealing to him this afternoon as she had been last evening. Today she was back in her mourning black as opposed to the gray she wore for her sister’s wedding celebration. Still the black gown emphasized the brilliance of her large golden eyes and her shining hair of dark, burnished gold. The gown hugged her impressive womanly curves, which he found much to his liking. Indeed, Lady Wednesday was a very well built woman with ample breasts and curvy hips and a tiny waist to set them off. Her features were strong, giving her character. Yes, he liked everything about Lady Wednesday. Everything.

“I do. I read many other things as well. Romance is fanciful, but entertaining.”

“Fanciful. Do you not believe in romance, lass?” he teased.

The topic made Wednesday quite nervous. Other, more beautiful women might believe in romance, but she had no reason to as yet in her three and twenty years. No man had ever been interested in her. She had never been courted, nor even kissed.

“Not really, no.”

“Why is that? Surely a young woman as strikingly beautiful as yourself has suitors clamoring all about her, professing their undying love for you?”

Surely he was joking? She did not know. “No.” She shook her head. It was an embarrassing situation to be certain. “I-I have never had a suitor, Lord Gryfe.”

Lachlan looked at her. He saw the blush stain her cheeks. She lowered her gaze. He realized this was a topic that made her uncomfortable and he had embarrassed her.

“Now, I find that hard to believe, Lady Wednesday. That someone of your beauty has never had a suitor. But I cannot say I am disappointed to be the first.”

When her questioning golden eyes met his he whispered, “I can’t understand why you would not have scores of suitors. I think you are beyond beautiful. I would describe you as stunning.”

He was jesting, surely. Wednesday felt the heat on her cheeks as she blushed, “I – I, uh, thank you. It’s quite true. I haven’t had any suitors. My sisters had many before they married, but I have not had one.” She averted her gaze from his.

His pale blue eyes seemed to penetrate right through her. She felt as if he knew her every thought. He was merely being kind, only paying attention to her because she was Charlie’s sister. Charlie’s plump, unmarried sister. She knew someone as handsome as Lord Gryfe could never be interested in her that way. She was certain he was just being polite.

Besides, his reputation with the ladies in London was legendary. It seemed most unmarried ladies longed to catch his eye. She sighed at the realization.

“I tell you how beautiful I think you are and you sigh as if the world is coming to an end, Lady Wednesday?” Lachlan asked her softly.

“I – I am not beautiful, Lord Gryfe. I know this. Tuesday and Sunday have always been considered the beauties of the family with their golden hair, blue eyes and their…slenderness. I realize I am passable in looks, and I have accepted that.”

“Lady Wednesday! You do not believe me?” With some difficulty he came to his feet. He held out his hand. “Come with me, please, Lady Wednesday.” It was nothing short of a command.

Wednesday was speechless. She had no idea what he was about. Heavens! What was she to do?

“Take my hand.” He urged gently. “We’re just walking across the room,” he assured her in a gentle tone.

Wednesday pushed up her spectacles and took his hand. She was quite nervous as he helped her to her feet. She expected him to place her hand upon his arm, he did not. He entangled his fingers with hers and led her across the room while he limped with the help of his cane.

To a mirror!

He positioned her before the large, oval mirror above the ladies’ secretary.

“Look in the mirror, Lass,” he urged softly.

Wednesday raised her eyes and did as he bid. She met his gaze in the mirror’s reflection. Her cheeks colored. She felt she would die of embarrassment at that moment.

With his very large hand he tucked his fingers beneath her chin and lifted her head slightly. “I’m going to tell you what I see, Lady Wednesday. The first thing that draws me in is your gorgeous, golden eyes. They remind me of the eyes of an owl, large, all knowing and wise. They are bright, flashing with intelligence. They positively glitter when you are speaking. They reveal everything about you, what you are thinking, your warmth and kindness. Then there are your lashes. They are thick, dark, long and lovely.”

He ran the back of his hand along her cheekbone. “Your facial features are strong, I like that. Your cheekbones are defined, as is,” his fingers moved once again to her chin, “your chin. I see your strength here. You remind me of the Goddess Athena.”

“Why?” Wednesday shook her head in disbelief. The way Lord Gryfe gently caressed her, along with his warm, rich brogue mesmerized her.

“You are strong and wise, this I know to be fact. With your hair of burnished gold, your owl-eyes, your beautiful face…and your body, you look like a Goddess. Your body is lovely, Lady Wednesday, exquisite, in fact. I mean no disrespect when I say the most beautiful women to me are the ones who have curves. And yours are beyond perfection in my eyes.”

His breath tickled her ear. Why was he doing this? For the life of her, Wednesday could not understand. Surely he could not be – no, of course he was not attracted to her. She made a mental note to discontinue reading The Enchanted Forest. No doubt it was the book that had filled her head with such fanciful ideas. What was Lord Gryfe about?