Excerpt from The Davenports by Krystal Marquis, plus links to reviews, author biography & more

"I am, Mother," Ruby said, keeping her voice controlled and stepping out of her mother's reach. How could she even ask Ruby that? Ruby had been trying with every modest smile and well-timed laugh, with every arch of her eyebrow or accidental run-in on the estate grounds. How could she explain to her parents that perhaps no matter how hard she tried, it may not work out the way they'd planned? No one asked her if she wanted to be the face of Black progress. They were gambling what they had—her future and their own—to convince a city full of people that the Tremaine family's success could be easily replicated.

With her heart in her stomach, Ruby left the room, wondering who wanted her engagement more.

Excerpted from The Davenports by Krystal Marquis. Copyright © 2023 by Krystal Marquis. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.