Capturing Bliss by Nicole Hurley-Moore
historical sensual novella (approx 17k)
Cover Art by Valerie Tibbs
ISBN# 978-0-9848970-9-4
In 12th-century England, love isn’t part of the marriage equation. But Lady Blissot de Woodville adores her younger sister too much to see her suffer such a fate. Instead, Bliss recklessly switches places with her sister—and marries a total stranger under false pretenses! Fortunately, she soon discovers she shares a rare passion and genuine love with her new husband, the ardent Lord William Reynard. Yet the happier Bliss becomes, the more her secret weighs heavily on her heart…because one desperate lie could destroy everything she’s come to cherish.
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Woodville Manor, England ? 1139 AD
“Nay Bliss, it cannot work!”
Lady Blissot de Woodville turned from the casement and regarded her beautiful younger sister. “Aye, it will work.” She said with growing determination in her voice.
“It will work and I will see you safe and happy.”
“I cannot stand by and let you sacrifice yourself for my sake,” Ivetta said with a shake of her golden head. “I will do as our uncle and King wish and marry this so deemed hero from the north, and thereby proving our family’s allegiance to King
Stephen and his claim to the crown.”
“Ivetta, do you love Lord Adelard Bernier?”
“More than life.” The words slipped out of Ivetta’s mouth before she could restrain them. She took a steadying breath before she continued. “Tis true, I love him. He makes my heart beat faster when he is near. I long to be with him ? I long to be his wife. Yet I will not let these feelings outweigh my love for you and I will not sit by whilst you ruin your life.”
Bliss walked across the cool stone floor and sat down on the bed next to her sister.
She placed her arm around her shoulders and gave her a squeeze. “I am not ruining my life nor am I sacrificing myself. If I take your place and marry Lord William Reynard, I will be securing both our futures. This could be our chance at happiness.”
“You know nothing of this man. He may be a monster!”
“And he may not. He may be a good man and a gentle knight,” Bliss countered with a small smile. She sighed as ran her fingers through her own brown hair before she continued. “You will be happy and married to Adelard and I will be free of our uncle and his courtly intrigues and political ambitions. He will be no longer able to use either of us as pawns.”
