William, Viscount Wivenly, plans to remain the most eligible of bachelors. He refuses to surrender to the schemes of husband-hunting ladies and matchmaking mamas. Fleeing the pressure of the ton, he’s bent on finding refuge in the West Indies. What he finds instead is a fascinating stranger, a woman so unlike those of his society that he can’t resist such a beguiling distraction…

Determined to let nothing complicate her mission to protect her family’s livelihood while covertly rescuing orphaned slave children, Miss Eugénie Villaret does her best to evade suitors. But when dashing William lures her down a path of forbidden adventure and delicious danger, she may be convinced that business can indeed be mixed with pleasure—and persuaded to add passion to her priorities…

Enticing Miss Eugénie Villaret
The Marriage Game, Book 6
By Ella Quinn

Hi everyone! I’m so glad to be joining you again. Karen, thank you for inviting me back.

My current release, Enticing Miss Eugénie Villaret, book #6 in The Marriage Game, is set in the Danish West Indies, now known as St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, where I live. There is so much good food here, but the dishes are sprinkled around in the story. My hero William, Viscount Wivenly is fascinated by the different dishes.

We are quite fond of soups, but the ingredients are local and would be hard to find elsewhere. So, I have a simple recipe for you that can be used with either chicken or shrimp. But first, I’ll give you an excerpt of Will and Eugénie picnicking on the beach.

Excerpt

She pointed to a corner. “Put the food here. We’ll have to anchor the other corners with our shoes.”

He hadn’t noticed before, but the wind pushed at the cloth. He put his boots in place and watched as she removed her sandals. Will could have held her whole foot in his hand. It arched as she wiggled her bare toes in the sand. Just as well she hadn’t worn stockings. The image of her removing them caused his chest to tighten, and he never would have been able to keep his promise to Andrew and Cicely.

Soon she had the dishes and plates arranged and was sitting cross-legged on the cloth. “There now. We may eat.”

Will stretched out on his side next to her. He’d expected cold chicken, cheeses and fruit. There was fruit, but instead of chicken what greeted him were bits of fried dough that resembled a circle folded in half. “What are they?”

“Pattés. They are filled with whatever Cook has.” She bit her lush lower lip as her brows lifted just enough to mar her brow. “I hope you like them.”

He’d eat anything if it would smooth out her wrinkled forehead. “I’m sure I’ll love them.” He took the one she handed him and bit into it. The crust was still firm. Exotic flavors he didn’t recognize burst both sweet and savory into his mouth. He swallowed and took another bite. It tasted like nothing he’d ever had before, but it was wonderful. “It’s very good.”

The worried expression left her countenance and her lips curved up.

“What is in them?”

Eugénie sniffed the piece he’d handed her before taking a taste. “Sweet potato, garlic, hot pepper, and conch. There are some other spices as well, such as curry.”

Will finished and picked up another one. “Chicken, I think.”

“Probably.” She chewed and swallowed. “I take it you are used to something quite different. What were you expecting?”

“Cold chicken, ham, fruit, cheeses and bread, perhaps a bottle or two of wine.” He told her of the picnics he’d had in England. “But the weather is much cooler.”

She picked up one of the small jugs and took a sip. “Ginger beer. Have you had it yet?”

“Beer?”

“It is not the same as a small beer. It has no alcohol.” Her face scrunched up, and he almost laughed.

“I take it you don’t like regular beer?”

“Non.” Eugénie held out a jug. “Try it.”