Welcome to my little corner of Jenny Matlock's Saturday Centus, where a grand departure from the norm has made this challenge a little more challenging than usual. Today, we get to add 200 words of our own to Mr. Jenny's prompt, but we have to do it Harlequin Romance style. Not my favorite genre, but I'll give it a go! (The prompt is in red.)
A flushed, rosy dawn aroused the sun, a languid lover. My own slumber had broken hours before. Who was he? Why did his unbidden essence haunt my dreams? Foreboding stole over me, replacing the quivers of anticipation that scorched my molten center every time his emerald eyes caught mine. What manner of fantasy appeared and disappeared at his own pleasure? Was he saint or sinner? Did heaven send this moonlight swain whose visits stirred my soul and left me trembling…or was he a creature of the underworld, come to ravish and enslave me? The dreams were mine alone. Why had I no power to control them?
“Pardon, Miss. Will you take breakfast early? You’re riding out with Lord Farthingham this morning.”
Farthingham. The name sickened me. I still felt his loathsome hands on my shoulders, greedy fingers dipping into my bodice as he announced with gloating satisfaction my father’s eagerness to entertain his suit. The chaperone was careless now. Would Farthingham renew his assault by daylight? Would I force myself to allow it?
Both queries were soon answered. As he wrenched me from the saddle, my cringing flesh bade me run into the forest. But I was spent at last. If I could not escape, I’d face him squarely.
When I turned around, I was startled to meet a green-eyed gaze...
And Farthingham was no more.
∞§∞
23 comments:
*pant, pant...* Oh my... oh...oh my... you're good!! Not my favorite genre either, but you had me going! Now I'm going to lounge on my chaise in the sun, dreaming of an emerald gaze...
Oh my. That was good. Is it hot in here or is it just me?
Really well done Sue! Not my favorite genre at all, but you did the prompt proud. And not a hint of heaving chests or ripped bodices :) Kat
I want to read this book! I want to see these men duel over this woman! This was a great use of this week's prompt :)
Sue! Oh my heavens! OK, I think you need to forgo all other writing and start writing historical HR's!
This is totally not my favorite genre...ever...but I really, really liked the whole thing.
Start to finish.
Amazing Miss Sue.
You are a wonder!
And, yea, I think it might be a bit warm in here!
Very interesting twist on the prompt...racy and attention getting for sure! Nice job.
Crumbs! I feel dissatisfied with this tiny bit of a great story!!
Very well written. a nice easy read for sure. I am so jealous this week...everyone did so well!
This is terrific! I hate this crap and you made me a believer that it can be done without props.
You NAILED the genre. And believe me, I know. My misspent youth was spent reading this stuff. A lot of it. Yours was spot-on and spectacular.
Oh my! Dream lover conquers all! Loved this.
I'm not a fan of the genre either, but as usual you've created another fantastic blurb of a story. Also, thanks for keeping it PG.
with so many complaining about the prompt this week there's sure some great stories coming out of it...Loved yours!
As usual you did very well. I am actually getting so that I look forward to Saturdays just to see what you will be able to come up with.
I'd never ever read anything close to a romance novel.....until now.
You did a really good job! How do I know? Because I could envision Fabio on the cover of this book!
Whoa! I'm not a harlequin girl myself but I do love old english novels and this sounded just like one...only better. You are so descriptive....right down to the molten center!
Wow, this was great. So descriptive in everything. I would imagine these are just like the Harlequin's are. Good job.
Brilliant! You've demonstrated a real talent for this genre. Very nice, tight writing and vivid imagery. Great job this week!
I can just picture that lord Farthingham's face. what a horrible little man haha!
Happy SC :)
Tina from
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Game FreakZ
holy 19 comments! and I make 20! You go Sue!
great writing - as usual.
Well done, Sue! Not my favorite genre either but now I'm starting to wonder why NOT! :)
You are so talented!
Sue, my dear, are you a closet HR ghost writer? You nailed this one. Loved it.
Sue! Congratulations! You are the winner of Coralie's book from the Saturday Centus shake up challenge! Please e-mail your address so I can get your prize right out in the mail to you! jennymatlock at cox dot net
What a great post to win the prize with, too! You are really neat!
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