Friday, September 21, 2012

Sweet Saturday Sample: "You may call me Miss Aimee, sir."

This excerpt is from the book I just finished.  I'm taking a week or so away from it before I try to do any revision.  In this excerpt my heroine is attending a party where everyone is dressed in Civil War era clothes.  Her host who's one hot guy is showing her his gazebo.  Remember, this is a rough draft.

What would it have been like to attend this party in the year 1860? Would the threat of war have lent a spice of excitement to the festivities that made ordinary activities like visiting the gazebo seem new and romantic?

Cade indicated a built-in bench which circled the gazebo. “Would you like to sit down?”

Aimee sat and gathered her skirts around her, admiring the rustle of her long, taffeta petticoat. She patted the space beside her. “Sit beside me.”

Cade bowed. “You honor me, Miss Sherwood.”

“You may call me Miss Aimee, sir.”

“Miss Aimee, then.” He raised her hand to his lip and kissed it.

Aimee’s heart took off in a mad gallop. She felt heat rising from her chest and knew it colored her face an inconvenient shade of red. OH. MY. GOODNESS! All he’d done was kiss her hand, and she was just melting. If only she had a fan like Miss Minnie.

Cade kept hold of her hand even though she’d expected him to let go of it. His calloused fingers felt so male, so strong, so manly that another wave of heat washed over her.

“You look beautiful tonight, Miss Aimee. There’s not a woman at the party who can touch you.”

Was it her imagination or had he moved a bit closer to her?

“Your eyes sparkle like blue diamonds, and I love those curls of yours. You’ve captured the sunshine.” He bounced her curls in the palm of his hand.

Breathe. She musn’t forget to breathe.

He had moved closer. She could smell the spicy odor of his shaving cream now.



Picture:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dress_from_1830.jpg  Perohanych
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7 comments:

  1. Laurel-Rain SnowSeptember 22, 2012 at 10:29 AM

    Nice sensory images. I can feel the scene.

    Thanks for sharing...and here's MY SWEET SATURDAY SAMPLE

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  2. Elaine CantrellSeptember 22, 2012 at 10:43 AM

    Thank you, Laurel. I love this book. I'm hoping to polish it up and find a home for it very soon.

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  3. Sandra NachlingerSeptember 22, 2012 at 1:44 PM

    I love the way they slipped into 1860s behavior. I think I'd swoon too if a man kissed my hand!
    Congratulations on completing this book. I'm looking forward to its publication.

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  4. JennaSeptember 22, 2012 at 1:53 PM

    This is one of my fantasies--to attend a 1860s era ball in period costume. Throw in some handkissing from a handsome gentleman and life would be just about perfect! Love this scene! Costume makes all the difference. Dress the part and you are more liable to live the part. Great sample, Elaine. Hope you find a home for it real soon!

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  5. Elaine CantrellSeptember 22, 2012 at 1:56 PM

    I think hand kissing is a lost art that should be revived, Sandy. it's thrilling.

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  6. Elaine CantrellSeptember 22, 2012 at 1:57 PM

    Thanks, Jenna. I love the 1860's clothes, but have you seen the 18the century stuff? It's to die for too.

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  7. Carrie-AnneSeptember 22, 2012 at 11:25 PM

    Fun sample! I love the Civil War era and the idea of a costume party devoted to that period.

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