{"id":81,"date":"2015-06-15T02:05:49","date_gmt":"2015-06-15T06:05:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kate-hill.com\/compellingbeastsblog\/?p=81"},"modified":"2015-06-17T09:16:29","modified_gmt":"2015-06-17T13:16:29","slug":"antihero-tendencies-excerpt-from-loves-enduring-flame-by-ruth-axtell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kate-hill.com\/compellingbeastsblog\/2015\/06\/15\/antihero-tendencies-excerpt-from-loves-enduring-flame-by-ruth-axtell\/","title":{"rendered":"Villain Excerpt from Love’s Enduring Flame by Ruth Axtell"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Ruth_Axtell_Loves_Enduring_Flame320\"<\/a>Love’s Enduring Flame<\/strong><\/p>\n

by Ruth Axtell<\/p>\n

Krysia Milos comes of age at the height of the Romantic era, when poets, musicians and writers influenced the course of nations. Krysia, raised in Poland by an influential uncle and his unorthodox sister, joins those struggling for independence under Russian rule. When she comes to Warsaw for her debut into society, she finds herself enmeshed in the plans for an uprising against the czar\u2019s rule. Independent and willing to prove herself useful to the cause of Poland\u2019s freedom, she determines to help her uncle by gathering information. She soon finds herself in over her head, pitted against the sinister but very powerful Russian Dmitri Orlovsky and the Polish officer, Casimir Zalenski, whose cynicism belies his uniform and whose past is murky at best.
\nAs revolution threatens to destroy everything she has, Krysia must decide which man is worthy of her trust.
\nFor those who love the larger-than-life historical panoramas of Russian history, the era of the French salon and its cultural influence to its Eastern neighbors, and the timeless love story of individuals caught in tumultuous eras, Love\u2019s Enduring Flame is for you.<\/p>\n

Excerpt\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

Her newfound exhilaration was short-lived, when, several dances later, she turned from thanking her partner to find the slim silhouette of Count Orlovsky before her. She managed to curtsy slightly in acknowledgment, praying he wouldn\u2019t detain her.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat a delightful surprise.\u201d His onyx eyes surveyed her in a leisurely fashion, from the crown of her head to the tips of her silver slippers. \u201cYou didn\u2019t mention you would be here in the autumn,\u201d he murmured.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had no knowledge of it at the time, Count.\u201d She steeled herself to show no discomposure at his inspection.<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose,\u201d he continued as his gaze came to rest on hers, \u201cit is that stage in a young woman\u2019s life when she is presented to society and enjoys the adoration of us all. I salute you, mademoiselle.\u201d With those words, he took her hand in his and brushed his lips against her gloved fingertips.<\/p>\n

Krysia removed her hand from his as soon as she dared.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have grown even more beautiful than when last we met. I feel privileged to witness your coming out, and I congratulate you on your success.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did you expect to find?\u201d Krysia feigned boredom, her smile tight as her gaze roamed the ballroom.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing less. I knew you\u2019d captivate Warsaw as you\u2019ve captivated me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her attention snapped back to him at his excessive praise.<\/p>\n

\u201cTry me and see how far your power extends,\u201d he said, his dark eyebrows lifted in challenge. His smile altered his expression little. It was a mere stretching of his lips that didn\u2019t reach his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t dream of challenging you, my lord.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat a pity. I was so hoping for a nice round with you, thrusting and parrying.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am no swordswoman. And furthermore, I don\u2019t believe in unequal matches.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUnequal? Come, come, I believe we would be perfectly paired.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think not. The lion and the mouse would be a more apt comparison. What choice has the mouse unless she resorts to devious means?\u201d She held his gaze a moment until he chuckled, easing the tension.<\/p>\n

\u201cI do believe we\u2019re no longer referring to individuals but to peoples.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe struggle of a people is made up of individuals\u2019 actions.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow true…as demonstrated in your most illustrious uncle.\u201d His gaze wandered over the ballroom until he spotted Uncle Dominik, in the midst of a conversation with several guests.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy uncle embodies the spirit of the Polish nation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Orlovsky\u2019s attention turned back to her. \u201cWhile he has been permitted to return from exile, the grand duke will not look kindly on any plots your uncle would be involved in to subvert Russian authority.\u201d<\/p>\n

Krysia quaked inwardly, remembering her uncle\u2019s secret visitor. While her heart thudded in fear, she kept her eyes fixed on the count and lifted her chin a fraction. \u201cI don\u2019t know what you\u2019re implying.\u201d<\/p>\n

He smiled. \u201cYour eyes gave me all the answers I needed.\u201d<\/p>\n

She remained silent, wondering what she\u2019d given away. How much did the count know of her uncle\u2019s activities? What was her uncle involved in? As the questions mounted, Krysia strove to remain outwardly unmoved.<\/p>\n

Orlovsky regarded his gloved hands. \u201cInformation is an interesting thing. One can use it in so many different ways, don\u2019t you agree?\u201d When she said nothing, he continued. \u201cFor example, I find all of a sudden my greatest desire is to be counted among your suitors\u2014your privileged suitors.\u201d He paused, as if to allow his words to sink in. \u201cNow if my suspicions\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Krysia let out a slow breath, relieved that he had only suspicions. That meant he had no proof of anything. \u201cYou may conjecture all you like about my uncle.\u201d<\/p>\n

He shrugged. \u201cIf proof is what you need, there are always ways of obtaining that.\u201d With each passing second, the count\u2019s narrow smile was becoming more detestable to Krysia. \u201cAnything for the cause of romance, wouldn\u2019t you agree?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFair means or foul? What if I refuse to dance to your tune?\u201d<\/p>\n

He eyed her appraisingly. \u201cWhy then, we would see what a good fencing opponent you\u2019d make.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that a threat?\u201d Krysia asked disdainfully.<\/p>\n

\u201cI enjoy a good challenge, and as I see it, there are different ways to go about furthering my suit with you. It\u2019s merely up to you to open the match, by choosing the method.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe weapon, you mean? When you\u2019ve dictated the rules? How little you must know of human nature if you suppose this the way to win my respect.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOn the contrary. I know a great deal about human nature, and I much prefer a fighting tigress to a compliant kitten.\u201d The count laughed deeply, seeming to enjoy the comparison.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t laugh too soon. You might find yourself with neither.\u201d Krysia made to step past him. He caught her wrist loosely.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think not, my dear. Before you depart to enjoy the attentions of your young swains, let me invite you to go riding with me tomorrow afternoon in the \u0141azienki Gardens, at three o\u2019clock.\u201d<\/p>\n

Krysia kept her profile turned to him, refusing to acknowledge his invitation with even a glance.<\/p>\n

At her continued silence, the count increased the pressure of his thumb and middle finger against her wrist. \u201cTut, tut. Don\u2019t keep me waiting tomorrow. Remember our conversation. If you value your uncle\u2019s safety, you will acquiesce to my requests.\u201d He released her wrist. \u201cI\u2019ll expect to see you at the western gates of the gardens.\u201d<\/p>\n

About Ruth<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ruth Axtell knew she wanted to be a writer ever since she wrote her first story\u2014a spy thriller\u2014at the age of twelve. She studied comparative literature at Smith College, spending her junior year at the Sorbonne in Paris. After college, she taught English in the Canary Islands then worked in international development in Miami, Florida, before moving to the Netherlands, where for the next several years, she juggled both writing and raising her three children.
\nIn 1994, her second manuscript was a finalist in Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart competition. In 2002, her sixth manuscript took second place in the Laurie Contest of RWA’s Smoky Mountain chapter. The final judge requested her full manuscript and this became her first published book, Winter Is Past, which was spotlighted in Christian Retailing magazine. Since then, Ruth has gone on to publish thirteen historical romances and one novella. Her books have been translated into Dutch, Italian, Polish and Afrikaans . Her second historical, Wild Rose, was chosen by Booklist as a “Top Ten Christian Fiction” selection in 2005.
\nRuth lives on the coast of Maine where she enjoys gardening, walking, reading romances and gazing at the ocean plotting her next romance.<\/p>\n

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