Excerpt of When Marrying a Scoundrel by Kathryn Smith

Sadie envied Vienne La Rieux. Next to the queen, Vienne was
the most powerful woman Sadie knew of, coming from humble
and rarely spoken of beginnings. She wanted to be like
Vienne, and have her own business to grow and cultivate,
form however she wanted. And she would. She was meeting with
a man who represented her new landlord tomorrow to discuss
her plans to open her own tea room. Thanks to her
benefactor, and her own success, she was finally on the
verge of seeing her dream realized.

She sipped at her wine, lost in the pleasant thought of
having to answer to no one, and stared blankly out the
window. She was so lost in her own thoughts, she didn't hear
anyone come into the room until he spoke.

"Apologies. I thought this room was empty."

Sadie sat up. "No apologies are necessary, sir. I was just
leaving." Time had gotten away from her. Surely it was time
for her to return to work. She snatched up her hat and
re-secured it to her hair.

"That's too bad," came a low purr of a voice. "I wouldn't be
adverse to such charming company."

Sadie tilted her head. She knew that voice. Stepping away
from the window, she drew closer to the gentleman, until she
could see him in the low lamp light. As he turned to watch
her approach, she could see that he was tall and broad
shouldered with glints of gold in his short, thick hair.
Other than that, he was a shadow, back-lit by the lamp. But
he could see her.

"Christ Jesus," he rasped.

She froze, heart pressed hard against her ribs. They were
both beneath the light now, but she was afraid to look.
Still, her chin lifted with a will that was not her own,
forcing her to gaze up into eyes she already knew would be
golden green and as beautiful as they had been on the day
she'd looked into them and promised to be a good wife.

"Jack."