Welcome to Tuesday Tales, where you’ll find entertaining excerpts from a group of hard-working writers. Writing is our passion. You can enjoy stories and see works in progress unfold. I continue here with an adventurous medieval romance featuring a knight. This week’s word prompt is picky. Make sure to visit all the talented authors of Tuesday Tales.
“What objections do you have to marrying Rothburg? I don’t know the man, but I haven’t heard ill of him.”
Sabina turned away lest her he perceive the hurt his words caused. That he could speak so casually of her marrying another man cut her to the quick. Ada was wrong, and she was oh so right in her assessment of the knight. Any feeling he exhibited was naught but a sham. “Then you don’t know Rothburg at all. He’s odious and treats his people shabbily.” Not to mention his animals. The image of the beaten horse flashed in her mind.
“I know nothing of his circumstance, but mayhap a strong hand is needed in this case.”
She turned on him with flashing eyes. “Toward me? Oh, I see. You think I’m being unduly picky or mayhap simply pigheaded. Well I am not. Leastways not in the fashion you mean.”
“I recall your father once took a strong hand. Mayhap this is a similar situation? True the man has a few years on you, but that should not deter a happy arrangement. A woman could be very well provided for with Rothburg. Your father desired that for you.”
“Why do you speak of my father and what makes you think he would approve Rothburg?”
He waved a hand. “Only that any father would want his daughter to be well situated.”
“And happy.” She cast her mind about in desperation. How could she make him understand? The ensuing years had made him blind to romance. The kiss of the other day had obviously been an aberration. How could he speak so coldly of an arrangement “What of devotion between two people?” Her voice cracked. “What of love?”
His lip twisted. “A mirage for the weak minded. You know as well as I that a successful marriage does not equate with love, and that love – or its carnal likeness—can be easily found outside the contract.” His eyes darkened, and he moved a step closer.
What was he suggesting? Her hand shook, and it took all her strength to keep from striking him. Anger seethed through her body. The years melted away, and all she could see was the image of his arms wrapped around Lady Warwick. She had been too mortified to strike him then. Her nails dug into her palms. “I suppose if I were that kind of person.”
“What kind of person?”
“A heartless, faithless boar’s arse.”
I hope you enjoyed the snippet based on the word prompt picky. Thanks for stopping by. Read the other remarkable excerpts at Tuesday Tales.
Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic with Spirited Stories
All rights reserved, copyright @ 2021 Flossie Benton Rogers
Wow! How jaded he seems. Poor girl. Great scene. Love the last line.
Thank you, Susanne!
Applause!!!
Oh, this was so good, Flossie. I want to read more!
I’m so happy it makes you want to read more, Mae!
Wow! Those are angry words! But we know he doesn’t mean it and that he wants her for his own. Need to know what’s driving him to do this. And how she’s going to react. Great scene. Loved the tension between them.
Oh, the trials and tribulations these characters go through!
Oh my, someone is angry! Wonderful scene.
She is a little ticked!
A wonderful snippet – as usual. Great job!
Thanks!
Ooh!! I can feel her hurt and rage in the words you used. I would have slapped him if I were her. Great job!!
Heh heh, thanks for the feedback, Tricia!
wow! intense. I love that she called him a boar’s ass- He deserved it at that moment- poor girl. Jillian
He did. Thanks, Jillian.