“You’ll be dead.” Clamping his mouth shut to keep from shouting, Oliver began to pace. “Forty days,” he said, shaking his head. “Other than the rare deaf, dumb, and blind seaman, you’ll fool no one for very long. You even walk like a female.”
“Not in your old boots I don’t,” Jewel shot back, lifting her skirt to reveal a pair of his old riding boots.
“You’ve small, delicate hands.”
“I’ll wear gloves until I can roughen them up.”
“You’ve…” Patting his hands against his chest, Oliver struggled for the least offensive way to point out what he found obvious without using the words lush or full. “Breasts.”
“Bound with strips of linen.”
“And your bottom?”
“What about my bottom?”
“It’s…” He used his hands again to emulate the shape of cupping her behind. “Big,” was the word that finally left his lips.
“I do not have a big bottom!” Jewel poked her finger into his chest as she spoke.
“I didn’t mean big in the sense of large. I meant more…round and…obvious.” Wincing, he knew his explanation was coming out all wrong. “You are a woman and have a woman’s bottom. The first time you bend over in a pair of breeches any man with half an eye will see the truth.”
“The truth of my big bottom?”
“I’ve never seen it but I’m sure your bottom is lovely. I’m just making a general assumption. What I’m trying to say is that the entirety of you is most definitely female. Your hair is soft and shiny. Your eyebrows form perfect arches to frame your eyes. Your lips…your lower lip is full and has…”—cautiously, he pointed at her lips—“a dimple right in the middle that begs kissing. Unless you’ve also figured out a way to grow a beard, someone will notice the smooth curve of your chin never requires a razor.”
“Was that a compliment or an insult? I’m no longer sure.”
“Compliment. And a caution. I suggest you abandon your plan of traveling in disguise. I’m giving the ship’s captain enough money to keep you safe as you are, but I cannot vouch for his able seamen. Stay under his protection. Arm yourselves and keep to your cabin.” It was all the advice he had to give.
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About the Author
Diana Lloyd, mother of gingers, lives in the state shaped like a mitten. Diana has loved books since she first ate one and appreciated them even more once she learned to read. Enjoying an occasional tumble down the rabbit hole of research, Diana writes historical romance by mixing equal parts History, Heart, and Humor. A 2017 RWA Golden Heart finalist with HOW TO TRAIN YOUR BARON, Diana is anxiously awaiting the publication of book two ABOUT AN EARL and book three LAST LORD STANDING in the "What Happens in the Ballroom" series. To stay up to date on all of Diana's projects, visit her website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, BookBub, and Goodreads.
Giveaway
During the Blog Tour, we are giving away a $10 Amazon Gift Card! To enter, please use the Gleam form below. Giveaway Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on February 10th. You must be 18 or older to enter. – Paperback giveaway is open to US only. – Only one entry per household. – All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion. – The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.
About an Earl
Thank you so much for hosting Diana's blog tour!
ReplyDeleteAmy
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