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."