By Jayne Davis
Excerpt from A Winter’s Romance: A Regency Anthology
Kate chose a vantage point from which to make her sketch. She wouldn’t have much time to draw before her fingers froze, but she relished the challenge of depicting this mostly white, snow-covered landscape. Her spot chosen, she took a step away from the cleared path and unfastened her satchel.
Absorbed in the drawing taking shape on her paper, Kate didn’t hear the quiet crunching of approaching footsteps on the path.
“Good morning, Miss Ardley.”
Startled, Kate turned to face Mr Paynton and took a step back. A step into snow that gave way beneath her foot. Her sketchbook, pencil, and the contents of the satchel all went flying as she waved her arms in an attempt to keep her balance, but to no avail. She fell, landing on her back in deep snow, seeing only sky above her. Snow found its way inside the neck of her pelisse and soaked through her stockings and boots, making her shiver. She struggled to sit up—not easy with her legs stuck in the snow.
“Are you hurt?” Mr Paynton gazed down at her.
“No.” No thanks to him. She managed to roll over and pushed herself to her feet, soaking her hands and arms in the process.
“I’m sorry I startled you. Take my hand.”
She reached up; his grip was firm, and she gasped as he hauled her effortlessly to his own level, then put a hand in the small of her back to steady her as she staggered towards the cleared path. “Thank you, sir.”
He gingerly stepped down into the hole she had made in the snow, and handed her satchel up to her. “Allow me to escort you back to the house.” “No need, thank you, sir.” She had no wish to prolong the embarrassing encounter. Looking on the bright side of things, her undignified fall must have killed any interest he might have had in her, so she had no need to worry about that. Unfortunately, that thought did little to cheer her.
About the Author
Jayne Davis was hooked on Georgette Heyer and Jane Austen from her teens, and always wanted to be a writer, but it was several decades and several careers before she self-published her first Regency Romance.
Now she has 14 romances published, all set in the Regency or Georgian Eras, and has also co-authored Writing Regency England to help other authors with their own writing.
Author Links
Website: https://www.jaynedavisromance.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaynedavisromance/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17587608.Jayne_Davis
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/jaynedavis142/