Caught in a Compromising Position...with Maureen Driscoll and Giveaway

Caught in a Compromising Position on Christmas Eve - Maureen Driscoll

Maureen Driscoll is an Emmy-nominated writer/producer working in Hollywood. She is the author of the Kellington series of Regency romance novels and a happily struggling actress.

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Rambling Christmas

Thank you, Danielle, for letting me participate in your Christmas event. This is my favorite time of year and I’ve loved reading these blog posts every day.

My assignment was to write about a compromising situation on Christmas Eve. I was actually writing about Christmas Eve for my next book, so I just had to make a small detour to make sure they got caught doing something fun.

The penniless Earl of Ridgeway, Colin Emerson, must marry an heiress to support his sisters and pay off his late father’s debts. Unfortunately, he has fallen in love with his sisters’ governess, Ava Conway, who is very much the opposite of an heiress. Their story will be told in the first book of my new Regency series about the Emerson family. Colin was introduced in the final book of my last series about the Kellington family.

***

Ava entered the sitting room to admire the Christmas greens. The fire was banked since everyone else had already gone to bed. She thought about how excited Colin’s sisters would be the next day. Not for the presents they would get – for even young Letty knew the family’s finances were not good. But because their brother was finally home.

Ava had to admit she looked forward to seeing Colin the next morning, as well. But not because it was Christmas. She just liked seeing him. She knew she should not lose her heart to him any more than she already had. He was an impoverished earl who needed a rich wife. But while she had not found a future husband in him, she had found a friend.

She heard the creak of the door and looked up to see Colin standing there. He was still fully dressed, save for his waistcoat and jacket. He wore no cravat and his shirt was unbuttoned just enough to show a hint of skin. Suddenly the room seemed much warmer.

“Are you here to check on Father Christmas’s arrival?” she asked. “I fear he has not yet come.”

“That is just as well, since I might plant a facer on the man for not doing better by my sisters. I fear the only present they shall have is the story I wrote for them.”

“They will cherish it.”

“But how I wish I could give them something more. Though these days I often find myself wishing life could be different in so many ways.”

Ava’s breathing was not quite steady and she knew she should leave. But she could not make her feet do what her head was telling them. “It is Christmas Eve, after all. I believe everyone can dream a little tonight.”

“Do you dream, Ava? How I wish you would dream of me.”

He approached her slowly. There was plenty of time for her to move away. He would not pursue her, she was sure of that. But she was equally certain that if she remained as she was, he would kiss her. And she very much wanted him to kiss her.

He stepped into the moonlight and she could see the intensity in his eyes. He did not simply look upon her. It was as if he could see right through her. He could see her thoughts, her wishes and her desires. Just as she felt she could do so with him.

He bent toward her and slowly brought his lips to hers. It was not their first kiss. But it was the first when they knew there could be nothing more between them. But perhaps it was enough to just have this moment. Mayhap this memory would last a lifetime.

Who was she trying to fool? She wanted more than a kiss. She put her arms around his neck, then he pulled her into his arms, deepening the kiss. He shared her hunger in the moonlight. And she could not imagine anything could feel better.

But then he pulled away from her, though he kept his arms around her to steady her. She did not know what she’d done to turn him away, until she realized they were not alone. A very embarrassed Stemple, Colin’s valet, was standing in the doorway holding a candle.

“Did you need something Stemple?” asked Colin, whose voice sounded a good deal deeper than normal.

“I was just checking to ensure the fire was banked,” said Stemple, who was looking at everything except Colin and Ava. Since arriving at the estate, Stemple had been serving as the de facto butler, as well as valet and general manservant.

“The fire is contained,” said Colin. “At least the one in the grate is,” he added for only Ava to hear.

“Excellent,” said Stemple. “Then perhaps I should go on about my duties.”

“You can do whatever you’d like, Stemple,” said Colin. “As long as it is elsewhere.”

“Very good, my lord. Good night.”

Stemple quickly left, closing the door behind him.

Colin turned back to Ava. “Where were we?”

“Unfortunately, I was leaving. Happy Christmas, Colin.”

He looked at her and it seemed no man had ever been that sad. “Happy Christmas, Ava.”

It was only after she left that he added, “my love.”

Caught behind enemy lines at the Battle of Waterloo, nurse Jane Wetherby is forced to seek shelter with British operative Lord Edward Kellington. After a night of passion, the two are separated. With nothing but the alias Jane used to protect her family, Lord Edward is unable to find the woman he can’t forget.

Seven years later, Jane courts scandal by serving as the unofficial surgeon in the village of Marston Vale. When Edward arrives to formalize his betrothal to a viscount’s daughter in accordance with his late father’s wishes, Jane has no choice but to watch the match proceed. When a threat from the past emerges, Jane must join forces with Edward to safeguard her loved ones. But at what risk to her heart…

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