This week’s WipItUp picks up from last week’s Work in Progress, a Regency spanking romance – supposedly bereaving Sophia has been caught attempting to kiss a naive young man by her formidable French grandmother, Maria.
***
Sophia jumped, scrambling away from the young man, creating necessary space. It was too late. Maria, clothed in all her finery, had filled the doorway and behind her moved the swaying, swirling throng of dancers.
Somehow, in her haste to be kissed, Sophia had not noticed the door to the ballroom open. Neither had she witnessed when her grandmother had crossed its threshold. Sophia shrank into the shadows of the antechamber, avoiding the prying eyes of the guests whose heads bobbed behind Maria’s shoulders. With her eyes popping out of her head and her lips pressed together into a fine line, her grandmother looked furious.
Maria turned on the youth. “How dare you, young man. How dare you touch my granddaughter!”
“Granddaughter,” he stuttered. “The Duchess!” Now, thought Sophia, he truly looked overcome with heat and perspiration. He clutched his hands together as if to implore. “I didn’t know. She said she was a maid.”
“I did not!” retorted Sophia. She bit down on her lip, because neither had she introduced herself properly.
“Sophia, did you deceive him?” Her grandmother re-directed her dagger eyes at Sophia.
“Not on purpose,” mumbled Sophia.
“Regardless. Fitzwilliam, that is your family name, is it not?” She snapped at the crimson faced man and he nodded. “I am most surprised at your behaviour. Your brother I know well and he would not approve. As for you, granddaughter, you were about this Fitzwilliam person in a most demonstrative fashion—unchaperoned, too. You should be cloistered in your rooms in sad reflection, praying for the soul of your beloved Percy.”
Sophia wanted to scoff at the mention of beloved, but it would be pointless, instead she uttered a low grumbling, “I suppose.”
Fitzwilliam backed away farther, his lower lip trembling. “I must humbly apologise for such atrocious conduct on my behalf.
“Indeed,” Maria glared at him, then back at Sophia. “As for you, I’ve a good mind to have you soundly thrashed.”
“Grand-mere,” screeched Sophia. Behind her redoubtable grandmother, the dancers had paused. The altercation was becoming a spectacle. Thankfully, the rise in muttering voices brought her austere grandmother to her senses. Maria glanced over her shoulder at the hovering, unwanted audience. She closed the dividing doors and gave them privacy.
“Very well,” Maria snorted. “What were you thinking, Sophia. Coming down here?” She snapped open her fan and waved it before her face briskly.
***
I don’t have a release date for this book, but hopefully not too long.
Jaye Peaches - Author 
Hi Jaye, this sounds awesome, I love Sophia’s feistynesss. Now I’m curious what her reply will be. Poor Fitzwilliam!
Hugs
Roz
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Posted by rozharrison | August 5, 2015, 10:05She’s sinking quickly and Fitzwilliam is not the right man to handle her!
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Posted by Jaye Peaches | August 9, 2015, 16:59Oh yes! I’m voting for the sound thrashing ~grins~ ☺
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Posted by Melody Parks | August 5, 2015, 17:02A sound thrashing does appear to be a popular choice, trouble is, the right person to do it hasn’t appeared yet 🙂
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Posted by Jaye Peaches | August 9, 2015, 16:59Hurry up with that release date! And she does deserve a sound thrashing… because she did deceive him of a sorts… didn’t she 😉 I’m sure Grandmere will see everything in order hee hee 😉
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Posted by cpmandara | August 5, 2015, 19:52This Wednesday, all being well. Grandmere might have the right idea, but the right person to do it…. I’m sure there are better choices 😉
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Posted by Jaye Peaches | August 9, 2015, 17:00Hi Jaye, what an exciting moment! Maria will probably always make sure that Sophia will have a sore bum when she doesn’t behave well enough. I guess that the consequences for her and Fitzwilliam could be serious, so she surely deserves a spanking. I loved this snippet, thank you for sharing.
hugs
Nina
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Posted by awesomesub | August 5, 2015, 22:48She deserves it, but who will deliver it? I’m expecting somebody special 🙂
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Posted by Jaye Peaches | August 9, 2015, 17:01Uh-oh, I’m think that grandmere has a good mind and a thrashing will ensue posthaste! 🙂 Lovely snippet.
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Posted by maddie taylor | August 6, 2015, 01:15A good thrashing is on the cards, and I’m sure grandmere will approve.
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Posted by Jaye Peaches | August 9, 2015, 17:02My defiant side is screaming for her to take up for herself. I hope she does soon. Great snippet. 🙂
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Posted by Jennifer Reynolds | August 6, 2015, 01:34Sophia is in a quandary. The idea of a spanking has put her in a tizz. She just needs the right person to do it.
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Posted by Jaye Peaches | August 9, 2015, 17:03Oh Sophia. It sounds like her bottom is in for a very sound thrashing! I can’t wait for the next snippet!!
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Posted by Meredith O'Reilly | August 6, 2015, 02:11Sophia’s bottom does have a hard time, and a nice one too 🙂
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Posted by Jaye Peaches | August 9, 2015, 17:03I see the starts of a fun relationship! She better keep an eye on her bottom!
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Posted by sdane | August 6, 2015, 04:31She’s going to have to be careful or her bottom will be in trouble a lot.
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Posted by Jaye Peaches | August 9, 2015, 17:03