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The Succubus (eBook II)
For other uses of the word Succubus, see Succubus (disambiguation).
The Succubus is an eNovel written by Sarah Winn.
Overview
- Title: The Succubus
- Author: Sarah Winn
- Author's Website: http://www.sarahwinn.com/
- Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press
- Publishing Date: August, 2007
- Format: EBook
- Genre: Torrid Romance Historical
- ISBN: 987-1-60313-002-8
- Length: Novella
About the Author
Born in Kansas, Sarah Winn has briefly lived in both Hawaii and California but is now firmly settled in her adopted native state of North Carolina. After a thirty-year career in scientific research, she became a full-time writer, leaving facts behind in the pursuit of fiction. Since she's chosen to write mostly historical romance, her research training is still helpful.
Taking advantage of an opportunity to visit a friend who had recently moved to a ranch in New Mexico, Sarah discovered The Land of Enchantment and has written two historicals set in that state. The friend's ranch was near Las Vegas, New Mexico, a town with a wild history that still retains some of its old West ambience. Sarah fell in love with the place and its history and used it as the setting for THE MADAM TAKES A MATE.
Plot Summary
Lady Isabel married the much older Baron of Tewsbarrow to save her family from a life of poverty. After the marriage, her husband tells her she must seduce his young nephew in order to produce an heir. The innocent Isabel knows nothing about seduction so the baron contrives a devious plot to make sure she succeeds.
The young knight, Sir Daniel, is welcomed to his uncle’s castle as an honored guest, but strange things happen. He realizes he’s being drugged and while he lays helpless a beautiful woman comes to his bed. Despite the mystery surrounding her, Daniel falls in love. Then he learns Isabel’s true identity and purpose and leaves Tewsbarrow with a broken heart.
The old baron’s plot fails, and he dies in a fit of apoplexy. Daniel returns as the new baron. His one burning desire is to punish the wicked woman who betrayed him.
Novel Excerpt
The following is taken from the author's website.
Lord Kendrick, the Baron of Tewsbarrow, couldn’t help sneering as he watched a servant lead his sodden nephew from the hall. Sir Daniel indeed. What fool had knighted such a lackwit? The young man had been so bedazzled by the prospect of becoming Kendrick’s heir that he’d stared about the hall like a wide-eyed child at his first fair. Until he’d gotten so drunk he could barely see.
Kendrick should have expected Daniel to be like his father, good for nothing but waving a sword about. But that meant he could easily be used. Kendrick’s plan should succeed, if only Isabel would do her part. What was wrong with her? She was beautiful enough to rule all men’s hearts but dumb as a cow. He was sick of her mewling and whining and had begun to truly regret marrying her. She better play her part correctly tonight, or he’d turn her pearl white buttocks red.
He drained the last drop of brandy from his cup and rose to his feet. Unlike his nephew, Kendrick had been careful not to overindulge tonight, still he lurched as he took a step, and immediately adjusted his tunic to be sure his malformed leg did not show. Seeing his tall, well-built nephew had only reminded him of the injustice of being born the eldest son, the heir, and a hopeless cripple. Everyone had thought him unfit to be the baron, especially his younger brother, but he’d shown them. And he’d show them once again by producing his own heir for Tewsbarrow. If he could bestir his timid little wife.
Kendrick returned to his solar at the end of the hall and over to the corner where a circular stairway opened into the tower. He hated the twisting stairs that led to the upper chamber, so he’d given Isabel the room on the same level as the solar, even though that put her closer to his sleeping quarters than he liked.
He found her slumped on a stool. Her long black hair flowed down her back in soft waves and she wore a dark fustian cloak. He assumed she’d obeyed his command to wear nothing else, although she’d wrapped the cloak so tightly around herself he couldn’t tell for sure. A quick glance around her chamber showed him she’d sent away her doting maid, Tess. So perhaps, Isabel had accepted her duty.
Then he noticed her nervous fingers twisting a fold of the cloak and heard the teary quality in her voice as she asked, “Has he gone to bed then?”
He debated what method to use with her. Would she respond better to sternness or cajolery? He decided it would be best not to cause tears. She could work herself into an addled state if she started crying. “Everything is going as planned,” he said in a pleasant voice. “Daniel drank a great amount of ale during the meal and the brandy afterward. One of the servants had to lead him to his bedroom.”
Her head came up. Is that hope I see in her eyes? “Perhaps he’s had too much to drink, and I won’t be able to ah-ah—”
Kendrick had difficulty concealing his impatience. “Just do as Esmeralda showed you. He’s a hale and hearty young man, he’ll respond.”
“I peeked into the hall tonight. He’s very large.”
Kendrick pressed the lips together to keep from screaming at her. After taking a deep breath, he said, “You didn’t let anyone see you, did you? I’ve told everyone you’re ill.”
She pulled her lips into a pout. “It’s hard to stay in my room all day, pretending to be sick.”
He forced himself to smile. “If you do your duty tonight, tomorrow you’ll feel like sleeping the morning away.”
She didn’t smile back.
He held out his hand. “Come, my dear. It’s time.”
She blinked up at him. “Shouldn’t we wait a little longer to be sure no servants are about?”
“I’ll check the hallway before you step out.” He gave his hand an impatient shake, and true to her bovine nature, she placed hers in it and stood. He led her into the solar and over to the wall covered with a large tapestry showing hounds attacking a stag. He pushed the tapestry aside and opened the door that had been installed when the new hall, containing apartments for upper servants and guests, had been built. Since the ground level of the great hall was devoted to storage, its first floor was level with the second story of the new hall and the hidden door opened into the end room and not the passageway, giving Kendrick a way to move secretly between the buildings. Since marrying Isabel it had proved a great convenience.
Copyright ©2007 Sarah Winn
Critical Review
"Sarah Winn has written a story that not only pleased the senses, but also provided pleasure and excitement. One I'm sure fans of the historical genre will enjoy." Rachelle, Fallen Angel Reviews
"The main characters are strong and believable. The author has interesting, complex points of view that will keep the readers interested. Good Job! I can recommend this book as an appealing read!" Brenda Talley, The Romance Studio
I found Sarah Winn's writing to be very intriguing. The characters were easy to understand and it was uncomplicated to get a good feel for their individual situations and predicaments. I really got a good laugh out of some of the scenes and was quite touched by others. Karen, Enchanting Reviews