~~~
Isabelle Gilbert pulled a blonde curl down alongside her cheek. She repeated the effect with a second lock of hair, then adjusted the coiffure on the other side of her head for symmetry's sake. She frowned. Mama had such sharp eyes. If the bruise weren't entirely hidden, she would spot it in one second and ask about it in the next. How would Isabelle ever explain how it had happened?
Surely Percy hadn't meant to strike her. He'd been so excited about attending the prizefight, and when she had declined to accompany him. . . . I never imagined what trouble a fiancé could be to a girl. I must work harder to make him happy.
Isabelle determined at last that three dangling curls on each side did the job of masking the unsightly discoloration. She gave her hair one last pat and rose from her dressing table to choose her outfit for the day.
Something simple. Nothing to call Mama's attention to me.
~~~
What peril could Isabelle possibly face in company with her mother? Why do you think she is intent upon not calling attention to herself, yet feels obliged to please her fiancé? What emotions do you think she is experiencing as she prepares for her day?
I hope you enjoyed this tidbit. Thank you for visiting. I love to read your comments, so if anything in the sample compels you to speak up, rest assured that I eventually read what you write and will reply, if needed. Questions? I'm open to them, too.
Please come back next Saturday for another sample. Thank you!
Marsha Ward is the award-winning author of an acclaimed novel series featuring the Owen family. Her latest book, Spinster's Folly, won the 2013 USA Best Book Award for Western Fiction. A former journalist, Ward has published over 900 articles, columns, poems and short stories. She is the founder of American Night Writers Association aka ANWA.
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