The Legendary Duke is one month old!
(Well, rather, he’s twenty-nine – but his story has been out in the world for 31 days. Woot!)
This is what the Publishers Weekly BookLife Prize (for which The Legendary Duke is currently a semi-finalist) has to say:
“The revenge quest of Gavin Knight is the driving force behind this skillfully plotted romance. The novel is full of tension and drama that will keep readers turning pages until the very end. Locke uses a contemporary style with an Austenian flair, and she varies both the tone and vocabulary perfectly, depending on the point of view of each character… Savvy readers will note the inspiration of this story from the Arthurian tale of Gawain and the Green Knight. Locke seamlessly blends hints from classics like The Count of Monte Cristo, Pride and Prejudice, and Arthurian legend into an utterly enjoyable Regency romance.”
How does Nelle Greene feel about the enigmatic Gavin Knight, Duke of Cortleon?
Lucy-Anne nodded then followed her through the door. “I do so wish you could be in love, Nelle,” she said as they descended the stairs. “It’s the grandest of feelings. Like …floating. Like you and he are the only two people in the world, your only wish to be with him. To kiss him!” She giggled. “I want to kiss Ashvere again and again until the end of time. Kissing is so grand!”
Memories of a night not so long ago and yet so far away, of a dance, of a look, of a kiss at midnight, attacked Nelle. Curse the man. He hounded her day and night.
Lucy-Anne turned at the bottom step. “You kissed the Duke of Cortleon. Was it anything like that? Or must it be someone you love?”
Yes, it was everything like that. Grand didn’t even begin to describe it. But she shook her head in response; some things were too private to share, even with her sister.
Meanwhile, Cortleon is wrestling with his own feelings…
He soaked in those blue eyes, eyes as blue as the paint Michelangelo had used on the Sistine Chapel. He’d thought nothing could render them more beautiful, yet the luxurious, deep hue of her dress magnified their brilliance. A delectable blush infused her cheeks, and a jaunty bonnet covered her hair. If only he could untie its ribbon and pull it off to let those tresses fall free. How long was her unbound hair? How would it feel caressing his shoulders?
Her tongue darted out to lick at her lower lip, and desire punched him in the gut harder than Engelsfell’s fists.
But this is not a simple tale of Duke meets Lady…
“Oh, no. No, no, no. You mustn’t cry, dearest Nelle. You mustn’t.”
She leaned into him. “Why are you here?”
“Because …” He paused. Why was he here? This wasn’t proper. Proper be damned, screamed the brandy in his brain. Maybe he ought to listen. “You are my goddess and I am your knight.”
A wan smile greeted his words. “I’m not. This is no masquerade.” She closed her eyes for the briefest of moments. “And Lord Grennet is no Fool.” She swayed slightly in the doorway, a surprising giggle bursting forth. “Did you know I’ve sometimes thought him a dragon, one set to devour me?”
“Then I must slay him.” The words were said in jest, a response to her imagery, and yet she held her fingers to his lips to silence him.
“Never say that,” she whispered. “I’m not a princess who needs rescuing.” She paused, biting her lower lip. The seductive sight sent shivers through him, though he was far from cold. A haunting sadness filled her eyes. “I’m not your quest, Gavin.”
You don’t have to love Arthurian legends to fall for the Duke of Cortleon in this Regency historical romance.