The Inside Scoop: Lord Alex and Lady Lisbeth
Ah, there you are and just in time. Thank you for coming I knew you wouldn't want to miss this. We've pulled a real coup. Let me give you a little background before they begin. Our investigative reporter is about to hold an interview with the hero, Lord Alex, and heroine, Lady Lisbeth, of Ruth A. Casie's book, The Guardian's Witch. I see they are about to begin. I'll fill you in on their story when the interview is over.
Reporter: (Facing the audience) Welcome and good afternoon. Today’s guests are Lord Alex Stelton, the exceptional knight who put his life on the line for the woman he loves. Also here is his extraordinary wife, Lady Lisbeth. She too was willing to risk it all--to save the man she loves.
Alex Stelton is the seventh son of Lord and Lady Stelton. Alex’s father is also a seventh son, an oddity that arises in the Stelton family from time to time. Lady Lisbeth and her younger sister, Laura survive their parents Lord and Lady Reynolds who were lost to us in a terrible carriage accident and their brother, Richard. Richard died valiantly on the Welsh battlefield.
(Turning to his guests) Thank you both for taking time to talk to us today. The first question I have is for Lord Alex.
Alex: Please, call me Alex.
Reporter: Certainly. Alex, what was your first impression of Lisbeth?
Alex: I’m embarrassed to tell you.
Lisbeth: He avoided me for weeks.
Alex: (Taking Lisbeth’s hand.) That’s not quite correct. You made it perfectly clear that you wanted no part of me. As a matter of fact I got a very clear impression that you would’ve been quite happy if I had disappeared like the others the king sent to protect you.
Lisbeth: Well, what did you expect? You came marching into Glen Kirk all proud and self-important just like all the others.
Alex: (Raising an eyebrow to his wife.) Did I now?
Lisbeth: (A bit contrite.) Well, maybe not exactly like them. (She pulls her hand away from his and faces him.) How was I to know?
Reporter: (Cough.) How did this disagreement start?
Lisbeth: He didn’t tell me for weeks.
Reporter: I beg your pardon. What didn’t Alex tell you for weeks? (Looking at Alex the reporter noticed him squirm, just a bit.)
Lisbeth: He didn’t tell me we were married.
Reporter: Married? I don’t understand?
Alex: Wait a minute, Love. You didn’t exactly make it easy.
Lisbeth: Love— (She shot Alex a glance that could turn him into a pillar of salt.)
Alex: (Alex faced the reporter) I won a bet with King James. If I held Lisbeth’s Glen Kirk Castle safe for one year it would be mine. Having an estate of my own has been a goal of mine for some time.
Lisbeth: (Foot tapping.)
Alex: (Rakes his hand through his hair.) After meeting my part of the bargain, I went to London to collect my winnings and ended proxy wed to Lady Lisbeth by order of the king.
Reporter: He what? And you didn’t tell her for weeks?
Lisbeth: (Folding her arms in front of her glaring at Alex.) Exactly.
Reporter: Perhaps we should move on. Lisbeth, I understand you come from a long line of healers and that you are quite gifted. My sources tell me you’ve used that gift to save Alex more than once.
Lisbeth: (A humbled look crosses her face.) Yes, I work hard to keep the people I love safe.
Reporter: (Shows Lisbeth a charm.) I understand you place these charms in the trees around Glen Kirk.
Alex: (Takes the charms from the interviewer.) My wife has a notion that the pretty bits shine and distract. (He gave the reporter a cold stare.)
Reporter: I understand there are rumors that your wife… uses incantations—
Alex: (Stands dragging Lisbeth with him.) This interview is over.
Reporter: (Obviously upset.) I’m sorry m’lord. I meant no disrespect to your wife or you. But sir, your wife’s special talents are common knowledge far and wide. It is to be honored sir, not reviled as some may think.
Alex: I clearly told your man that those questions were not to be asked.
Reporter: M'lord, Alex, this woman was ready to risk everything for you. She was in the midst of conjuring up the true criminal responsible for the treason for which you were accused. She was using her magic in front of the king and his court, all to protect you. Surely you know what a grave risk she was taking.
Alex: Don’t you think I know that. (Alex took his wife in his arms.) I cringe each time I think of how close she came to being judged a witch and the consequences that would have been metered out.
Lisbeth: Alex, (she pulls gently away from his embrace) come sit down. No harm was meant, surely you know that. (She pats his arm.)
Alex: (Regaining his composure.) I will not dwell on it, Lisbeth. I will protect you always.
Lisbeth: Yes, Alex. I wouldn’t have it any other way. But all here know who and what I am. There is no longer a need to hide that I am a witch.
Reporter: We have a little more time. Alex, I understand that your wife is very talented. Her dreams of the future appear to come true.
Alex: (He looks at his wife and does all he can to contain his smile.) My wife has many talents. Her dreams are--exceptional.
Lisbeth: Shhh Alex.(She leans close to him.) No one else will understand.
Alex: (Totally forgetting the reporter for the moment.) You call me into your dreams and we… Faith, (A smoldering look passes between them and he rakes his hand through his hair.) I want to spend the rest of my life in your dreams…
Reporter: Well, thank you both very much. (Pulling on his shirt collar.) Is it warm in here? (The reporter turns to the audience) You can find out more about Lord Alex and Lady Lisbeth in The Guardian’s Witch by Ruth A. Casie available for their Nook or Kobo or Kindle.
I hope you enjoyed the interview. Here's a brief overview and trailer for The Guardian's Witch.
England, 1290
Lord Alex Stelton can't resist a challenge, especially one with a prize like this: protect a castle on the Scottish border for a year, and it's his. Desperate for land of his own, he'll do anything to win the estate—even enter a proxy marriage to Lady Lisbeth Reynolds, the rumored witch who lives there.
Feared and scorned for her second sight, Lisbeth swore she'd never marry, but she is drawn to the handsome, confident Alex. She sees great love with him but fears what he would think of her gift and her visions of a traitor in their midst.
Despite his own vow never to fall in love, Alex can't get the alluring Lisbeth out of his mind and is driven to protect her when attacks begin on the border. But as her visions of danger intensify, Lisbeth knows it is she who must protect him. Realizing they'll secure their future only by facing the threat together, she must choose between keeping her magic a secret and losing the man she loves.
Excerpt
The berries Lisbeth had gathered tumbled forgotten from her hands. A tremor touched her lips while the vision slammed behind her eyes. She didn’t doubt the vision’s truth. Sometimes a bright light, warm and comforting, accompanied the vision; other times the wind howled, cold and disturbing. Today, panic clearly filled the air.
She spun around trying to pinpoint a direction and abruptly stopped. Facing south, she licked her lips nervously and tasted the sweetness of fresh water. A rushing sound burst in her ears. The river. Her head snapped east toward the river path and she ran. As she careened down the narrow trail, the outstretched branches tugged at her dress, pulled off her shawl and clawed at her face and arms. She took no notice. The cadence of her footfalls beat out a mantra, not him, not him, not him. She rushed on faster, mumbling enchanted words under her breath.
She exploded out of the forest and stood on the riverbank as the bridge gave way, sending the horse and rider plunging into the angry current. Swiftly the horse surfaced and headed for shore with an empty saddle. She stood on the bank, still mumbling as she scanned the river until she glimpsed a clear red aura shining deep in its middle. Her relief was momentary when the blackness began to creep in. There wasn’t much time.
Quickly she pulled off her heavy dress and, wearing only her chemise, dove into the river. Save him was her only thought. Down she plunged kicking hard against the current. The usually clear water, now choked with mud, churned with debris. She screamed the words in her head and made her demands. In response, the current slowed and as the mud began to settle, a lifeless hand beckoned to her from below.
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Author Biography:
RUTH A. CASIE is a USA Today Bestselling Author of swashbuckling action-adventure time-travel romance about strong empowered women and the men who deserve them, endearing flaws and all. Her Druid Knight novels have both finaled in the NJRW Golden Leaf contest. Ruth also writes contemporary romance with enough action to keep you turning pages. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, three empty bedrooms and a growing number of incomplete counted cross-stitch projects. Before she found her voice, she was a speech therapist (pun intended), client liaison for a corrugated manufacturer, and international bank product and marketing manager, but her favorite job is the one she’s doing now—writing romance.
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