His Parisian Mistress

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” video_preview_image=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” admin_toggled=”no”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” hover_type=”none” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no”][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=””]

HIS PARISIAN MISTRESS

Scandalous Family—The Victorians. Book 1.0

Victorian Era Historical Romance

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” video_preview_image=”” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_4″ layout=”1_4″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” hover_type=”none” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no”][fusion_lightbox type=”” full_image=”http://tracycooperposey.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/HisParisianMistress-Site.jpg” video_url=”” thumbnail_image=”http://tracycooperposey.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/HisParisianMistress-3D-Site.jpg” alt_text=”His Parisian Mistress Cover” title=”” description=”Click cover to see full size” class=”” id=””]His Parisian Mistress Cover[/fusion_lightbox][fusion_modal name=”parisian_excerpt” title=”Excerpt from His Parisian Mistress” size=”large” background=”” border_color=”#000000″ show_footer=”yes” class=”” id=””]

Excerpt

EXCERPT FROM HIS PARISIAN MISTRESS
COPYRIGHT © TRACY COOPER-POSEY 2020
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

La Floraison Moderne, Latin Quarter, Paris.  March, 1888.  Four years later.

The songbird on the tiny stage was both colorful and musical. Not that Richard cared about either quality. While his French was good enough to maintain a conversation, sorting out lyrics was beyond him. He let the warbled notes wash over him. The song sounded sad and wistful. As it matched his mood, more or less, he drank and listened with slightly more patience than he normally could muster.

There were a great many cafés in Paris, which pleased him. Cafés were a good place to get lost in. This particular café he had never been to before. It was deep in the Latin Quarter and was appropriately filled with bohemians and people who lived on the fringes of society.he songbird on the tiny stage was both colorful and musical. Not that Richard cared about either quality. While his French was good enough to maintain a conversation, sorting out lyrics was beyond him. He let the warbled notes wash over him. The song sounded sad and wistful. As it matched his mood, more or less, he drank and listened with slightly more patience than he normally could muster.

Richard was glad he had not bothered changing into a tuxedo for the evening. In his tweed day suit, he was almost overdressed for this crowd.

He wasn’t entirely sure where his tuxedo might be, anyway. Probably buried at the bottom of his valise, which lay in the corner of his bedroom in the pension where he had been staying for the last month. So far, his landlady had not insisted upon him paying the rent he owed her. It was just as well, because he was down to his last few francs. When she did ask, he would have to admit he could not pay her, then find yet another pension.

There were far more salubrious characters at this café than usual. They clung to the tables at the edge of the room, in the dark corners. They kept their heads together as they talked earnestly.

Bohemians, on the other hand, were easy to spot. The painters and writers and poets enjoyed the brighter lights.  They gulped at life, laughing a lot and smiling even more. Richard could not stand them.  Still, they left him alone. And that was all he could ask of life these days.

The song ended on a quivering note.  The entire café got to its feet to applaud the songstress. She gave a deep curtsy, looking pleased. Someone threw her a rose, which she caught and blew the man a kiss.  French women were so much more forward than English women. In the Latin Quarter they were even more so.

Richard didn’t bother clapping. It would require letting go of his glass.  He reached around the lantern on his table, grasped the bottle and pulled it toward him. Only two inches remained. It was still early. He could always order another.

Then he remembered how many francs he had left in his pocket, and scowled. This would be the last bottle for the night. That was unfortunate. He needed more than one bottle to sleep.

“Can you spare a glass for a thirsty singer?”

Richard looked up. The pretty songbird stood in front of his table, the beads on her evening dress glittering in the light from the lantern on his table. She was even more beautiful, this close, and worth a moment or two of study in appreciation. Like all Frenchwomen, she had creamy skin, pure and smooth. She wore a minimum of jewelry, letting the dress speak for itself. Rosebud lips, very blue eyes, black hair.  A faint line between her brow said she was used to getting her own way.

Her waist was agreeably small, and her arms slender. She wore no evening gloves, but instead wore a small charm which dangled from a slender chain about her wrist.

“Ah, if only this was not Paris,” Richard said, regret touching him.

“You do not like Paris?”

“I like Paris. Paris is wonderful. When I can remember it.”

“Perhaps I can help you remember some of it.” She pulled out the black chair opposite him and sank onto it with a graceful movement. She lifted her hand toward someone behind Richard. Silently, a glass was placed in front of her. She pushed the glass towards Richard. “May I share even a small glass with you?”

Richard considered the last two inches of the bottle, then shrugged and poured one of those inches into her glass. Her forwardness was a novelty. In a sea of nights he could barely remember, she provided a new experience. She deserved an inch of his wine.

He poured the last inch into his own glass and pushed the bottle aside. “Why do you want to share wine with me?”

“Why would I not?”

He just stared at her. He had no patience for flirtations and empty conversation.

She must have sensed that. She gave him a small smile. “When I sang, you were the only man who did not appear to like it.”

“You believe every man should love your singing?” Richard scowled, as he realized she was drawing him into the silly conversation after all.

“I do not have such an inflated opinion of myself. I merely wondered what weight of troubles would stop you from enjoying even a small moment of pleasure. Or why you sit here by yourself, when there are more than two people at every of the table.”

“Perhaps I do not enjoy company.” He stared at her, for she was company.

“Or perhaps you can take no enjoyment in the night, because you have none.”

Richard took a deep swallow of the wine. It burned the back of his throat.  “It appears I have you.” He wasn’t sure if he was annoyed by that fact or not. His gaze drew back once more to the clean line of her jaw and the point of her chin. It was a small face, but strong. Her clear eyes matched the rest of her.

As he studied her and she sipped her wine, a fat Frenchman in shirtsleeves and wrinkled trousers staggered to the table and bent over her.

“Mlle. Evelyn, you have captured my heart. Kiss me, or I will die.” He bent even further.  His hand groped at her knee, through the lace of her evening gown.

Before Richard could decide if he should do something about the lecherous man, Mlle. Evelyn picked up a spoon from the napkin on that side of the table, and rapped the back of the spoon sharply upon his knuckles.

The man howled and released her knee. He shook his hand, blinking at her.

“I think, perhaps, you must die without my kiss. I regret, monsieur.”

The man stumbled away, still shaking his hand.

Richard realized he was smiling. “I would have punched him.”

Mlle. Evelyn rolled her eyes. “A punch is too soon forgotten. I broke one of the blood vessels on the back of his hand. By tomorrow, his hand will be blue with bruises. They will not fade for days. Every time he tries to use his hand or looks at the bruises, he will remember his foolishness.” She picked up the wineglass and smiled at him. Her eyes twinkled with wicked humor.

Richard lifted his glass towards her, in a small salute.  “To you, Mlle. Evelyn.”

“And to you… May I have your name?”

Wariness spread through him. He was not sober, but he was not drunk enough for the habitual caution to be repressed. “This is Paris. Why do we need names?”

“If the café was to suddenly burst into flame, how would I warn you? I cannot call to you without a name to use.”

She did not understand, of course.  If she did know his name, she would not want to use it, even if the café did burst into flames.  “Then you must hope such an emergency does not arise in the next few minutes,” Richard replied.  “Why did you sit at my table, Miss Evelyn?”

“Miss?  Then you are English.”

“Which you knew the moment I spoke.  My accent is abominable, which every Frenchman points out.”

She smiled.  “I thought it was merely the wine slurring your words.  Why are you in Paris, Englishman?”

“Because it is not England,” he growled.

Her eyes widened.

He shook his head, vexed at his lack of control.  “Never mind.  Forget I spoke.”

“I would rather not,” she said softly.  Her gaze was thoughtful.  “Perhaps we should use English,” she said in English.

Richard shook his head.  “I’d rather not,” he replied in French.

“Sad memories?” she asked softly.

His heart shifted uneasily.  Before he could answer, though, a shrill whistle sounded and thudding upon the door to the café.

“Police!  The police!” someone cried.

The café became a room of instant chaos as the guests leapt from their chairs with alarm, snatching up hats and coats and purses.

[/fusion_modal][fusion_modal_text_link name=”parisian_excerpt” class=”” id=””]

Click here to read an excerpt
[/fusion_modal_text_link][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=””]


Read the reviews


[/fusion_text][fusion_testimonials design=”classic” navigation=”no” speed=”” backgroundcolor=”#ffffff” textcolor=”#000000″ random=”yes” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=””][fusion_testimonial name=”Amazon Reader” avatar=”female” image=”” image_id=”” image_border_radius=”” company=”” link=”” target=”_self”]

Praise for previous Scandalous series:

If you haven’t started this series, start right now and you will fall in love with this very unconventional family during a time when rules, etiquette and unwritten rules had to be followed or the lack of them would bring scandal and ruin to an entire family.

 

[/fusion_testimonial][/fusion_testimonials][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ layout=”1_2″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” hover_type=”none” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no”][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]

The family faces financial disaster, social ruin and much more…

When Richard Devlin’s older brother, Vaughn, is imprisoned for fraud, the consequences tear apart the Great Family, bringing ruin and more. Richard’s future is also destroyed.  Penniless and angry, he wanders Europe, until he finds himself in a Paris café watching a pretty singer…

Eve Martel Davies, posing as a café singer called Evelyn, barely recognizes her second cousin. Eve’s family take Richard in, but Eve knows Richard needs more than a warm bed and new clothes. She devises a way for Richard to assist her with her work for the Sûreté, which she suspects will help Richard find himself again.  The scheme involves Eve posing as Richard’s mistress, but the truth is very different…

This book is part of the Scandalous Family—The Victorians. This is the second spin-off series to feature a new generation of the Great Family, who are now scattering across Europe and beyond in search of adventure…and love.

This story is part of the Scandalous Family—The Victorians series:
1.0 His Parisian Mistress
2.0 Her Rebellious Prince
and more to come!

A Sexy Victorian Era Historical Romance

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_4″ layout=”1_4″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” undefined=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” hover_type=”none” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no”][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]

BUY FROM AMAZON OR DOWNLOAD VIA KU
$4.99 USD


PRINT:
AMAZON
B&N PRINT
ANGUS & ROBERTSON
BLACKWELL’S
WORDERY


[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” hover_type=”none” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no”][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=””]

.


Books In This Series

[/fusion_text][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]

THIS IS THE FIRST BOOK IN THE SERIES! | SERIES INFO | NEXT BOOK IN THE SERIES–>

[/fusion_text][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=””]


Reviews

Submit your review
1
2
3
4
5
Submit
     
Cancel

Create your own review

His Parisian Mistress
Average rating:  
 0 reviews

[/fusion_text][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]


Related Series

Parent series:

Scandalous Sirens | Scandalous Scions |

Other Historical Romance Series:

Once and Future Hearts

Sherlock Holmes

Jewels of Tomorrow

[/fusion_text][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=””]


| Bookmark on Bookbub | Bookmark on Goodreads |


[/fusion_text][fusion_imageframe image_id=”38051|full” max_width=”” style_type=”none” blur=”” stylecolor=”” hover_type=”none” bordersize=”” bordercolor=”” borderradius=”” align=”center” lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” lightbox_image_id=”” alt=”Casualties of War Devices” link=”” linktarget=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]http://tracycooperposey.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/HisParisianMistress-Mockup-Mixed-Media-1000px.jpg[/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Scroll to Top