Excerpt Monday: Take 13

Once a month, Bria Quinlan and Alexia Reed host a bunch of authors who get together and post excerpts from published books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don’t have to be published to participate–just be a writer with an excerpt you’d like to share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday site or click on the banner above!

This month’s excerpt is drawn again from Beneath His Touch and comes after the last excerpt where Tabitha has gone off to talk sense into James’ cousin who has run away from home, only to get kidnapped herself.

As always, any comments or criticisms are welcome.

“Well, not that it matters what you want, because your life became a whole lot shorter when Bolster trotted down to Doctor’s Commons this morning.”

Tabitha stared at the man for a moment, his words not making sense in her ears. “Doctor’s Commons? I don’t understand.”

“To request a special license.” He picked at the carcass on the plate before him. “Oh, dear. Have I spoiled his surprise? Tsk, tsk. How simply awful.”

“I’m aware the Duke must marry, but I didn’t think the young lady he was pursuing was pleased with his suit.”

“It’s just as well that I’ll be killing you too, Miss Gifford. The next potential Duke of Bolster mustn’t inherit you or your brother’s imbecilic brains.”

“You’re mad. As if James would ever choose me as his wife.” She knew better than to hold out hope in that direction.

“Perhaps, but I like to think of myself as righting past wrongs. Can’t have you making more work for me now. Muddying the succession would be a terrible waste of time. Bad enough that branch of the Wyndham family has always been so prolific. Wouldn’t be surprised if you weren’t already increasing.”

Tabitha gasped at his bluntness. Would she die for sins she’d only been tempted to commit? The knots slipped beneath her fingers. She wasn’t ready to die yet. She had so much life yet to experience.

“And I don’t have time to wait around to see if you’re carrying a boy and then take the effort to smother the infant in his nappies. Crib deaths are so heart-wrenching for a new mother.”

The man at the table plucked his napkin from his lap and smeared the grease around on his face before tossing it to the table. He pushed back his chair and grinned in her direction. “Might as well do away with you now, before there’s any question. But I must say, I expected James here by now. Wonder what’s keeping him.”

Tabitha’s right hand nearly slipped free of the knots, but she carefully kept hold of the rope to give the appearance of remaining bound.

Yes, James. I need you. Where are you?

* * *

Damn it, where was she?

James scouted the warehouse that huddled between two larger buildings at the address Barrington had brought back from Richmond. It didn’t look particularly dangerous, but he knew looks could be deceiving.

The two blokes slouched against the wall on either side of the door weren’t taking a break, but rather guarding entrance to the building. Neither man was familiar from the night of his beating in the park, but James kept to the shadows as he made his way around the building.

Down an alley, he spotted a window casement propped open. He moved beneath it and waited, patiently listening for any movement within. Sloppy coverage if the only guards were posted at the front door.

A pair of barrels and some discarded crates sat beneath the window, inviting James to climb up and in. It might be a trap, but he suspected his cousin’s henchmen to be more careless than clever, like their master.

James clambered atop the crates and listened again for any signs of life within the warehouse. Hearing nothing, he pulled himself up and over the sill, and dropped inside.

The hallway remained empty and silent. He slipped to the end and paused, listening. This time his patience was reward when he heard someone around the corner. The footsteps were moving away from him.

James moved silently around the corner and slipped up behind the man ahead of him. A quick tap on the shoulder followed by a strong right cross dropped the man to the floor. He secured the man’s hands behind his back using his own belt. He eased a pair of knives from the man’s boot and side. One less guard to worry about later.

A woman’s scream echoed through the building, sending chills up and down his spine.

Tabitha.

He moved toward the sound, drawn to her.

If you enjoyed this, you might enjoy some of my other Excerpt Monday offerings.

Links to other Excerpt Monday writers
Note: I have not personally screened these excerpts. Please heed the ratings and be aware that the links may contain material that is not typical of my site.

As always, our hostesses Bria Quinlan (PG13), Alexia Reed (R), Rachel Jameson (PG13) and Kendal Corbitt (R) thank you for stopping by!

Joining us this week:

Jaleta Clegg, Science Fiction (PG 13)
Penny Dune, Romantic Suspense (PG 13)
Debbie Mumford, Contemporary YA Fantasy (PG 13)
Jeannie Lin, Historical (PG 13)
Jeanette Murray, Contemporary Romance (PG 13)
Dara Young, Steampunk (PG 13)
Ryan, Mystery (PG 13)

Kendal Ashby, Contemporary Romance (R)
Stephanie Draven, Paranormal Romance (R)
Lauren Fraser, (R)
Cate Hart, Historical Romance (R)
KJ Reed, Erotic Romance (R)
Ali Katz, Contemporary M/M (R)
Cherrie Lynn, Paranormal Romance (R)

Sara Brookes, Urban Fantasy Romance (NC 17)
Carly Carson, Futuristic (NC 17)
Lisa Fox, Paranormal/erotic romance (NC 17)
Bryl R. Tyne, Contemporary M/M/M (NC 17)