Friday, November 9, 2012

Sweet Saturday



Welcome! This week I debated whether to continue with my excerpts from The Partridge and the Peartree or share a bit of The Samurai's Garden, which was released this week. Presently, I'm making the rounds of author blogs to promote the samurai book. I've visited the virtual homes of Nancy Gideon, SG Rogers, and Catherine Bennett (click on their names to see the posts on their blogs), so I decided that since Samurai has gotten a lot of attention this week, I'd share a bit more of Partridge. After all, it's a Christmas story and we'll probably wrap up the Sweet Saturdays in another few weeks. So here is the continuation of last week's scene, in which Lady Amelia figures out a way to get rid of her curious footman:
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She took a circular route, hoping to lull her companion into thinking she was merely out for a stroll. Pausing at a popular milliner's, she made a show of looking in the window then turned to the young footman.
"I think I'll go in here for a while. I need a new hat. I'll take the satchel now. You may wait for me out here."
Giles bowed his acquiescence and handed the satchel to her. She hoped he wouldn't question her need for a satchel in the milliner's shop, and like a good servant, he didn't. At least not aloud.
She carried the satchel into the shop. Madame LeFevre, the proprietor, rose to greet her potential customer.
"Bon jour, mademoiselle."
"Bon jour, Madame LeFevre. I wish to place an order for a hat. Er, something to go with my new winter cloak."
"Oui, mademoiselle. Ze new cloak, it is in your bag?"
"My bag? Oh, no. I, er, forgot to bring it along. But it's... blue."
"Blue is an excellent color for you, mademoiselle. What shade of blue?"
"Ah, it's…a deep blue. Rather like—" She cast a quick glance around the shop, and her eyes caught a bright, peacock blue felt hat. "That one."
Madame blinked, obviously swallowing her distaste. "Oui, mademoiselle. Ze entire cloak is that color?"
"Perhaps I should return another day and bring the cloak with me. Forgive me for wasting your time this morning. I'll just get going." She strode toward the back of the shop.
"Er, mademoiselle? Ze door is this way."
"Yes, but my next errand is on the street behind your shop. If you don't mind, I'll just use your side entrance to get there more quickly. Thank you for your time." She scooted out the door, mindful of the lady's stare. She probably wouldn't be back, at least not this season. But she'd accomplished her goal and left Giles waiting at the front entrance. Hopefully, by the time he realized her duplicity, she'd have her errand completed.
The side entrance of the shop emptied on a quiet street. No traffic here, and Amelia cast a cautious look about her before proceeding. She had an important errand, and nothing was to be gained by dawdling.
****
Thanks for stopping by! Please leave a comment, and be sure to enjoy the excerpts offered by other fine authors by going to Sweet Saturday Samples

18 comments:

  1. Oh that was entertaining! I'll have to add your book to my wishlist. ♥ Thanx for sharing!

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping in, Jaimey! I hope you'll enjoy the rest of the story. This was a fun couple to write about.

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  2. Nice sleight of hand. Wonder what she's up to?
    Wonder if Giles was really fooled?
    Wonder if the store clerk discreetly signaled Giles?

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    1. Thanks for stopping in, Jeff. Amelia's got an errand to run, and having been raised as a proper English lady, she doesn't want people to know what it is. I guess we'll have to find out if Giles was alerted, won't we?

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  3. Left me wanting more, more,more!

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    1. Thanks, Ruth! I'll be sharing more, but I don't want to give it all away! Thanks for stopping in.

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    1. Amelia is on a mission! She'll do anything to get where she's going. Thanks for stopping, Elaine.

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  5. Great scene! Amelia is obviously a clever and resourceful young woman. I want to know more about her errand and find out what's in that satchel.
    Congratulations on the release of The Samurai's Garden. Best of luck!

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    1. Don't you love strong heroines who can figure things out for themselves? Thanks for stopping in, Sandy.

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  6. I love your heroine. I can't wait to read the book

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    1. Thanks, Lindsay. I'm trying to find time to read, too.

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    1. Wow, Sherry, I'm so honored! Thanks so much for stopping in.

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  8. This sounds like a wonderful Christmas story! I love her subterfuge and wish her luck with her errand. Can't wait to find out what it is! Fun sample!

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