Rainbow Snippets: The Thrill of the Chase

It’s the first Rainbow Snippets weekend in August! As usual, authors who take part in Rainbow Snippets are encouraged to post a few lines from one of their stories on their blog and then link back to the group post on Facebook. I always enjoy joining in with Rainbow Snippets, especially to read and comment on everyone else’s choice of snippet.

This week, I’ve decided to post a snippet from my January story for JMS Books, The Thrill of the Chase. This is an Opposites Attract Regency frolic set in the resort spa town of Cheltenham in Gloucestershire in 1815.

My main character Adrian is a shy country gentleman charged with escorting his young cousins around the spa when he attracts the amorous attentions of Captain Guy Ransome, an older man and a bit of a rake. Guy initially comes on far too strong, flustering poor Adrian into fleeing from his advances. Following a confrontation, the two gradually agree on a tentative peace…

He quickly glanced over his shoulder, reassuring himself there was no one within earshot, before saying quietly, “But I do have a question. If it is so simple for you to find, er, obliging company, then why would you bother with me?”

The Captain looked momentarily disconcerted and took another sip of his drink while formulating his reply. At last, he said, “I find you intriguing. As you pointed out, not everyone is an easy, ah, encounter, and I find that strangely refreshing.”

At this unexpected declaration, Adrian felt the dreaded flush start to rise from his neck and over his cheekbones. Seeing this, the Captain added naughtily, “And when one is on the hunt, the pursuit of a wild rabbit is so much more diverting compared to a tamed domestic pet.”