With the release of the Rakes and Rogues box set coming up on June 21st, which contains Lord Wastrel, it seemed like a good time to re-visit an interview I did with him. He was overly concerned at how long it was taking me to finish his book.
Well, you can see for yourself how this conversation went:
Donna: Why don't you introduce yourself?
Lord Wastrel: I cannot think why I should. After all, I am quite well known throughout London--
D: *rolls eyes* In 1811.
LW: Precisely. What other year could you mean?
D: Never mind. Your introduction?
LW: I am Hugh Longford, the fifth Earl Weyson. *flashes a wicked smile* However, I am better known as Lord Wastrel, thanks to my profligate ways during my wild, misspent youth.
D: You've recently reformed, though.
LW: Very true. I learned I had a child, born of a long-ago liaison with an opera dancer, and I became determined to make a better life for my young daughter. This required me to find a perfectly biddable, scandal-free wife to become Lucinda's mother--someone to offset her having such a scandalous father, and to overcome the inauspicious circumstances of her birth.
D: *sighs dreamily* Oh, sorry. I just get so caught up in what you're saying.
LW: If you did not insist on twittering your time away, and would instead devote yourself to finishing my book. . .
D: You know I've got my finger hovering over the delete key, right?
LW: *holds hands up in a conciliatory manner* There is no need for such extreme measures! I am merely impatient for more interactions with the heroine you selected for me. Even if I did not at first believe you had chosen wisely.
D: *cackles* That's the fun of being the author! Oh, and I'm totally stealing that "twittering my time away" line.
LW: I actually saw it in one of your documents. While I was looking around to see what else you had in store for me.
D: You were snooping in my laptop?! *glares* What else did you see?
LW: *glares back* The wedding night you have written--it is not at all what I anticipated.
D: I know! It's so fun though. One of my fave scenes in the whole book.
LW: I would prefer you consider using the delete key again.
D: Nice try. Besides, if I did that, it would take even longer to get your story finished.
LW: Fine. I know when I am defeated. *mutters* And by yet another headstrong, willful female. Can you at least promise not to reveal that wedding night scene?
D: Why would I do that, Hugh? And yes, I know you well enough to call you by your first name. I know many things about you.
LW: *drops head in hands and groans*
D: Would you look at the time? You're going to be late if you don't dash back to 1811. *waits for Hugh to leave* Okay, here's a short excerpt from the wedding night scene. Hope you enjoy!
~~~~~~~~
Knowing Felicia, she was ready to open the connecting door and force her way into his bedchamber. Hugh's body reacted in a predictable fashion, and he forced himself to breathe in slowly, to reduce her impact on his unruly body.
"Hugh," she whispered, negating all of his calming efforts with that one word. "I want to open this door."
"I know."
He plastered both hands on the solid door, as if it would keep his passion in check, prevent him from succumbing to her siren voice. He did not speak for several long moments.
"Hugh?"
"Yes?"
"Oh, I wondered if you had fallen asleep."
He chuckled. It was not possible to fall asleep. In truth, he was in such a state because he had lain awake the entire previous evening. He might have slept for a few moments before the sun rose, but it was not likely. All he could do was think of Felicia, his growing feelings for her, and how that would disrupt the future he had plotted out so carefully.
"No, I am not asleep. I thought you would be though."
He heard a soft laugh, and his body reacted again. She was a tonic. An elixir that he could not help but crave.
"Are you coming to my bedchamber?" she asked. "Or would you prefer I come to yours?"
He hesitated. "What would you prefer?"
"I would prefer we carry on a conversation without this door serving as a chaperone."
Her annoyance made him grin. It also eased his misgivings. Surely there could be no harm in speaking with his bride in person, for a brief span.
She rattled the door latch just as he attempted to open the door.
"Felicia, let me do this. If you please."
"I could hear the sneer in your voice, Hugh."
"You only imagined it," he lied.
"Hah!" She gave the handle another shake.
"Felicia, I cannot unlatch the door when you persist in that fashion."
"Then I shall do it."
"How about this?" he offered. "I shall open it on the count of three."
"Very well," Felicia answered, although the words were followed by a heavy sigh.
"One." Hugh's heart picked up pace.
"Two," she said, her voice a little softer than previously.
He opened his mouth to utter, "Three", but the door nearly crashed into him. He stepped back, shocked and exasperated and ready to scold his bride.
Until he saw her.
He couldn't breathe. His lungs ached with the effort. She was ethereally beautiful, clad in white sheer fabric, her hair falling around her in all the places he ached to touch. His bride--not blushing, no, not one whit--smiled triumphantly. Her eyes sparked with a passion she was clearly impatient to explore, with him.
How could he hope to hold to his original plan? His forte had always been indulging his desires, not resisting them. Now his nerves were completely shot from denying his need for this maddening woman.
He raised a shaky hand and grasped the door, to steady himself while he pondered how to regain control of the situation.
The nearby fire popped, startling him. His hand slipped and the connecting door slammed shut.
"Hugh!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lord Wastrel – Available in the Rakes and Rogues box set – Preorder now!
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