Historical Fiction Virtual Blog Tours Presents…
A Modest Independence
By Mimi Matthews
He Needed Peace…
Attorney Tom Finchley has spent his life using his
devious intellect to solve the problems of others. As for his own problems,
they’re nothing that a bit of calculated vengeance can’t remedy. But that’s all
over now. He’s finally ready to put the past behind him and settle down to a
quiet, uncomplicated life. If only he could find an equally uncomplicated
woman.
She Wanted Adventure…
Former lady’s companion Jenny Holloway has just been
given a modest independence. Now, all she wants is a bit of adventure. A chance
to see the world and experience life far outside the restrictive limits of
Victorian England. If she can discover the fate of the missing Earl of
Castleton while she’s at it, so much the better.
From the gaslit streets of London to the lush tea gardens
of colonial India, Jenny and Tom embark on an epic quest—and an equally epic
romance. But even at the farthest edges of the British Empire, the past has a
way of catching up with you…
Excerpt
From Chapter 4
It was only a short distance to the pier. When
they arrived, they were greeted by the prospect of a churning sea. A handful of
travelers were gathered on the dock, all of them bundled up against the frigid
weather.
Tom disembarked first. “Careful. Mind the
step.”
Jenny clung to his hand as she stepped down
from the carriage. The wind whipped at her skirts and at the ribbons of her
bonnet. It was cold as ice, biting at her face and stinging her eyes.
After months of living on the North Devon
coast with Helena and Mr. Thornhill, she was accustomed to the smell of sea air
and the peculiar force of the wind as it blew in from over the water. But like
everything else, this was different. The beach at Greyfriar’s Abbey was
isolated. Lonely. Dover, by contrast, was teeming with industry.
A steamer ship was docked in the harbor, near
to where the crowd of people were gathered. Men in rough coats and wool
trousers moved up and down a narrow wooden gangplank, loading the ship with
crates, leather cases, and great waterproof trunks like Jenny’s.
“The Onyx,”
she said. “That’s my ship, isn’t it?”
Tom stood close at her side. “It is.” He cast
her a look. “Scared?”
“No.”
The carriage was stopped behind them, the
driver hunched over on the box. He likely couldn’t hear them over the wind. And
he certainly didn’t seem interested in what it was they were saying or doing.
Gathering her courage, Jenny turned to face
Tom. “Please don’t walk me to the ship,” she said in a rush. “I’d rather say
goodbye to you here.”
Tom’s expression was guarded. Almost
unreadable. He cleared his throat. “As to that—”
“Please. I don’t think I could bear it if you
were to stand on the dock waving me off. It’s difficult enough as it is.”
“Why should it be difficult?”
“I don’t know.” The wind blew the silk ribbon
ties of her bonnet across her mouth. She brushed them away. “You and I are a
puzzle, aren’t we? To me, anyway. I’ve resolved to chalk it up to one of those
unfortunate pangs that we discussed last evening.”
Tom gave her an arrested look. “Longing, do
you mean?”
“Yes. I suppose that’s it.”
“For me?”
She flushed. “Why not?” And then, before she
could talk herself out of it, she stood up on the toes of her boots and pressed
a kiss to his cheek. “Goodbye, Tom. Perhaps, someday—if you ever have the inclination—you
might write to me in India.”
Tom stared down at her, his Adam’s apple
bobbing on a swallow. When at last he replied, his voice was deeper than usual.
“I won’t be writing to you, Jenny.”
Her stomach dropped. “Oh.” She took a step
back from him. A surge of embarrassment clogged her throat, making it difficult
to speak. “Yes, of course. I perfectly understand.”
“No, you don’t. There won’t be any need to
write because…I’m coming with you.”
Giveaway
During the Blog Tour,
we have two signed copies of A Modest Independence up for grabs! You can enter
the competition HERE!
Giveaway Rules
• Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on May 10th. You must be
18 or older to enter.
• Giveaway is open to US residents only.
• Only one entry per household.
• All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any
suspicion of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and
entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
• The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.
Pick up your copy of
A
Modest Independence
Mimi Matthews
USA
Today bestselling
author Mimi Matthews (A Victorian Lady’s Guide to Fashion and Beauty, The Matrimonial Advertisement)
writes both historical non-fiction and traditional historical romances set in
Victorian England. Her articles on nineteenth century history have been
published on various academic and history sites, including the Victorian Web and
the Journal of Victorian Culture,
and are also syndicated weekly at BUST Magazine. In her other life, Mimi is an attorney.
She resides in California with her family, which includes an Andalusian
dressage horse, two Shelties, and two Siamese cats.
Thank you for hosting A Modest Independence Blog Tour! We appreciate the support!
ReplyDeleteAmy
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