The Highlander’s Outlaw Bride
Blurb:
Thrust into the role of laird upon his father's
unexpected death, Connor MacLaurey returns home to find his cousin has usurped
his lands and title. Furthermore, his betrothed--a lass he barely knows and
certainly did not agree to marry--is hunted by the sheriff, accused of stealing
cattle. His plan is to petition the king for clemency for the foolish chit,
break the betrothal, and take his castle back from his treacherous cousin.
Marriage is not in his plans.
Brianna Douglas has no desire for marriage. Widowed
young, berated daily for failing to give her first husband a child, and sent
home in subsequent disgrace, she devotes her life to holding her family's land
for her young brother as their sotted father drowns his sorrow in whisky over
her mother's death. Raiders have hit her clan hard, and to save them, she finds
herself betrothed to Laird MacLaurey's absent son to seal a pact of protection
with the MacLaurey clan.
Forced into a marriage neither wants, it will take a
king's edict and sacrifice from both to discover what love means. But can
they accept their losses and learn from their mistakes before Brianna marries
another?
Excerpt:
Her
step quickened and she fled the room to the stairway leading to her chamber. An
iron grip on her arm yanked her to a stop and she whirled to face him, his
expression black with fury.
“Let
go of me!” she hissed angrily.
Conn
released her arm, but did not move away. “What do ye think ye are about? Are ye
dead set on being hanged?”
“The
king pardoned me.”
“Aye,
for reiving. Disobedience to the king is treason and will also get ye hanged.”
Brianna
eyed him narrowly, unable to quell her toe as it tapped the stone floor
impatiently. “I dinnae want to marry.”
“Well,
there will be none to wed ye from the gallows.” He loomed over her, his
expression darker still. “And I could have refused ye for yer lack of respect.”
“Lack
of respect? I said naught that is not on any other’s tongue, m’laird.”
“Ye
know naught of me or my past year in France.”
“Enough
to know I dinnae want to be shackled to a skirt-chaser like yerself. I dinnae
want such disrespect in my marriage,
either!”
Conn
exhaled a long breath. “Why are ye so against this marriage?”
“Are
ye daft? What is there to recommend it?”
“The
reivers—“
“Have
stripped my clan of their wealth.”
“Yer
dowry is of no importance to me. However, I do find myself in need of an heir.”
Furious,
Brianna tossed her head. “Ye would do better to find a woman ye know will give
ye one. I have no desire to be that woman.”
“Is
that so?” The soft tone of his voice did not match the fire she saw in his
eyes. She shook off the frisson of longing before it woke the passion his voice
ignited in her, and did not flinch as she spoke the lie.
“Aye.”
Buy link: http://www.amzn.com/B00UD9JMBQ
This looks and sounds so good! As you know, historical romances with knights or highlanders are my favorite reading material. I sure can't resist this one! Gorgeous cover too, love her hair, dress, and doggie.
ReplyDeleteI know you are a big fan of such novels, Flossie. I like too the heroine companion, the dog. Thank you for visiting!
DeleteI agree with Flossie--that cover is gorgeous. How I would love to have that gown! Another spirited Medieval Monday lass and sexy hero. This sounds fab!
ReplyDeleteYes, a superb gown. I think you would look great in it, Mae. Thank you for dropping by!
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