Victoria Roberts - [Bad Boys of the Highlands 03]
Page 24
Her gentle laugh wafted through the air. She was a bonny lass with her slim waist and long red tresses. In truth, her nearness was overwhelming, but the feelings she stirred within him had nothing to do with reason. After all, it had been quite a long time since he had shared his bed with a woman. When visions suddenly appeared of the sultry temptress lying beneath him, a cynical inner voice cut through Ruairi thoughts. He hated when his cock ruled his mind. He brought his tankard to his lips and took another big gulp, quickly realizing he needed something much stronger than what was in his cup.
***
Ravenna was by no means blind to Laird Sutherland’s attraction. Her instinctive response to him was powerful, but she mentally took a step back. What was she thinking? What had she become? And what kind of man made her mind race with purely wicked thoughts? He had just lost his wife. He was in mourning. Besides, since he didn’t speak English, she was forced to obtain her information for the Crown elsewhere.
She deliberately switched her attention to Fagan. If anyone should know what was afoot, it should be him. He was the captain of Sutherland’s guard, after all. She didn’t like the thought of using her feminine wiles against him, especially since she favored the looks of the handsome laird who sat beside her in a rugged, dangerous kind of way.
When Laird Sutherland abruptly stood, Ravenna presumed the meal was over. She thanked Fagan for his hospitality and followed the laird. His kilt rode low on his lean hips and the muscles under his tunic quickened her pulse. He appeared to fill out the material quite nicely.
She continued to follow him around, not minding the view at all, as he led her from the library to the kitchens and then to the ladies’ solar without speaking a word. He gestured with his hand and they walked out into the fresh air and into the gardens.
The last of the summer blooms lined the path. Yellow and red flowers led to a stone wall that was about waist high where the laird stopped and waited for her. She walked up beside him and looked over the wall. The white waves of the ocean crashed below on jagged rocks that stuck out from the shore. She inhaled the fresh saltwater air and closed her eyes, letting the breeze comb through her loose tendrils.
When she opened her eyes, he was watching her. He shifted his weight and stood to his full height. He stood so close that a piece of his long hair whipped her cheek. She could easily drown in the depths of his emerald eyes. She suddenly found it difficult to breathe and caught the smell of his spicy scent as it wafted through the air.
For a brief moment, Ravenna forgot who she was and what she was sent there to do. Something intense flared through her entrancement, which made her tingle in the pit of her stomach. No man had ever looked at her that way.
What was the matter with her?
The man had enough burdens. He was mourning for the loss of his wife and now had to raise his son alone. And here she was acting like some virginal chit who floundered over the man’s good looks.
Ravenna cleared her throat. “It’s quite unfortunate that you do not speak English.” When she saw a slight hesitation in his hawk-like eyes, she added, “Praise the saints. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. You stand there, so handsome, sporting your kilt. Frankly, I don’t remember any of my other assignments being quite so…desirable.”
The smoldering flame she saw in his eyes startled her.
“Ye are my son’s governess, but I would take ye verra willingly to my bed.”
Ravenna paled.
Coming September 2014
Acknowledgments
A very special “thank you” goes out to the following people:
To my agent, Jill Marsal, for your endless encouragement.
To my editor, Leah Hultenschmidt, for supporting my dreams.
To my dad, who tells everyone he is the cover model for my books and that Sourcebooks photoshops his head. You’re doing a great job, Dad, and the ladies think so, too!
To my family, who can spot a tartan and a Scottish festival a mile away.
To Sharron Gunn, my resident Gaelic expert, mòran taing for your always willing attitude and assistance.
To Mary Grace, who continues to be my rock and who I’m proud to call my friend. I could never do this without you. You are truly the reason my dream is alive. I’m so glad you’re with me on this journey.
To my readers: You know who you are! For the ones who travel two hours to see me at a book signing, who constantly promote my books via word of mouth and social media, who believe in me and give me endless encouragement, and for your pictures, letters, and smiles, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
About the Author
Victoria Roberts writes sexy, Scottish historical romances about kilted heroes and warriors from the past. An avid lover of all things Scotland, she simply writes what she loves to read. Prior to ever picking up a romance novel, she penned her first young adult novella (never published) at sixteen years old. Who knew her leather-studded motorcycle hero would trade in his ride and emerge as a kilt-donning Highlander wielding a broadsword?
Victoria lives in western Pennsylvania with her husband of twenty years and their two beautiful children—not to mention one spoiled dog. When she is not plotting her next Scottish romp, she enjoys reading, nature, and antiques. For more information about Victoria, visit her website at www.victoriarobertsauthor.com.
Temptation in a Kilt
by Victoria Roberts
She’s on her way to safety
It’s a sign of Lady Rosalia Armstrong’s desperation that she’s seeking refuge in a place as rugged and challenging as the Scottish Highlands. She doesn’t care about hardship and discomfort, if only she can become master of her own life. Laird Ciaran MacGregor, however, is completely beyond her control…
He redefines dangerous…
Ciaran MacGregor knows it’s perilous to get embroiled with a fiery Lowland lass, especially one as headstrong as Rosalia. Having made a rash promise to escort her all the way to Glengarry, now he’s stuck with her, even though she challenges his legendary prowess at every opportunity. When temptation reaches its peak, he’ll be ready to show her who he really is… on and off the battlefield.
“Wonderful adventure with sensual and compelling romance.” —Amanda Forester, acclaimed author of True Highland Spirit
For more Victoria Roberts, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
X Marks the Scot
by Victoria Roberts
He’s fierce, he’s proud, he’s everything she was warned against.
Declan MacGregor hadn’t a care in the world beyond finding a soft bed and willing woman… until he had to escort Lady Liadain Campbell to the English court. The woman needles him at every turn, but he can’t just abandon her to that vipers’ nest without protection.
Liadain wasn’t thrilled to be left in the care of her clan’s archrival. It was as if the man never had a lady tell him no before! And yet as whispers of treason swirl through the court and the threat of danger grows ever sharper, her bitter enemy soon becomes the only one she can trust…
Praise for Temptation in a Kilt
“Well written, full of intrigue, and a sensual, believable romance, this book captivates the reader immediately.” —RT Book Reviews
“Filled with everything I love most about Highland romance…” —Melissa Mayhue, award-winning author of Warrior’s Redemption
For more Victoria Roberts, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
Sins of the Highlander
by Connie Mason and Mia Marlowe
ABDUCTION
Never had Elspeth Stewart imagined her wedding would be interrupted by a dark-haired stranger charging in on a black stallion, scooping her into his arms, and carrying her off across the wild Scottish highlands. Pressed against his hard chest and nestled between his strong thighs, she ought to have feared for her life. But
her captor silenced all protests with a soul-searing kiss, giving Elspeth a glimpse of the pain behind his passion—a pain only she could ease.
OBSESSION
“Mad Rob” MacLaren thought stealing his rival’s bride-to-be was the perfect revenge. But Rob never reckoned that this beautiful, innocent lass would awaken the part of him he thought dead and buried with his wife. Against all reason, he longed to introduce the luscious Elspeth to the pleasures of the flesh, to make her his, and only his, forever.
“Ms. Mason always provides a hot romance.” —RT Book Reviews
For more Connie Mason and Mia Marlowe, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
Lord of Fire and Ice
by Connie Mason and Mia Marlowe
Brandr the Far-Traveled has seen the world and a good many of the beautiful women in it. His bed skills are the stuff of steamy legend, his sword sings death, and he can call up fire from thin air. No one in a hundred years ever thought he could be enslaved through trickery and forced to wear the iron collar of a thrall—least of all him.
Katla the Black isn’t just called so for her dark, silky hair. His new mistress has a temper as fierce as a warrior’s and a heart as icy as the frozen North. But inch by delicious inch, Brandr means to make her melt…
“The love story is steamy and well crafted.” —Publishers Weekly
“Compelling with a rich narrative, strong characters, and non-stop action.” —RT Book Reviews, 4 stars
“Intriguing and absorbing…There are several surprising twists and lots of passion.” —Long and Short Reviews
For more Connie Mason and Mia Marlowe, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
To Conquer a Highlander
by Mary Wine
Her father will surely kill them both when he finds out what they’ve done…
When Torin McLeren discovers his neighbor’s plot against his king, he takes their daughter as his prisoner, thereby stopping her father’s plot from going forward. But that leaves him with a woman under his roof whom he can’t ignore, and not just because she’s his enemy’s daughter…
Shannon McBoyd decides to use her captor to experience passion for the first time, and then to destroy him. But her plan goes awry because once she has lured Torin into her bed, she no longer wants to hurt the one man who seems to value and understand her…
“Not to be missed.” —Lora Leigh, New York Times #1 bestselling author
“Deeply romantic, scintillating, and absolutely delicious.” —Sylvia Day, national bestselling author of The Stranger I Married
For more Mary Wine, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
Highland Hellcat
by Mary Wine
He wants a wife he can control...
Connor Lindsey is a Highland laird, but his clan’s loyalty is hard won and he takes nothing for granted. He’ll do whatever it takes to find a virtuous wife, even if he has to kidnap her…
She has a spirit that can’t be tamed...
Brina Chattan has always defied convention. She sees no reason to be docile now that she’s been captured by a powerful laird and taken to his storm-tossed castle in the Highlands, far from her home.
When a rival laird’s interference nearly tears them apart, Connor discovers that a woman with a wild streak suits him much better than he’d ever imagined…
“Among the intrigue of clan power, there is a wonderful love story.” —Night Owl Romance, Reviewer Top Pick
For more Mary Wine, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
Highland Heat
by Mary Wine
As brave as she is impulsive, Deirdre Chattan’s tendency to follow her heart and not her head has finally tarnished her reputation beyond repair. But when powerful Highland Laird Quinton Cameron finds her, he doesn’t care about her past—it’s her future he’s about to change…
From the moment Quinton sets eyes on Deirdre, rational thought vanishes. For in her eyes he sees a fiery spirit that matches his own, and he’ll be damned if he’ll let such a wild Scottish rose wither under the weight of a nun’s habit…
With nothing to lose, Deirdre and Quinton band together to protect king and country. But what they can accomplish alone is nothing compared to what they can build with their passion for each other…
“Dramatic and vivid…Scorching love scenes threaten to set the sheets aflame.” —Publishers Weekly starred review
“A lively and exciting adventure.” —Booklist
For more Mary Wine, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
The Highlander’s Prize
by Mary Wine
Clarrisa of York has never needed a miracle more. Sent to Scotland’s king to be his mistress, her deliverance arrives in the form of being kidnapped by a brusque Highland laird who’s a bit too rough to be considered divine intervention. Except his rugged handsomeness and undeniable magnetism surely are magnificent…
Laird Broen MacNichols has accepted the challenge of capturing Clarrisa to make sure the king doesn’t get the heir he needs in order to hold on to the throne. Broen knows more about royalty than he ever cared to, but Clarrisa, beautiful and intelligent, turns out to be much more of a challenge than he bargained for…
With rival lairds determined to steal her from him and royal henchmen searching for Clarrisa all over the Highlands, Broen is going to have to prove to this independent-minded lady that a Highlander always claims his prize…
“[The characters] fight just as passionately as they love while intrigue abounds and readers turn the pages faster and faster!” —RT Book Reviews, 4 stars
For more Mary Wine, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
The Trouble with Highlanders
by Mary Wine
With her clan on the wrong side of the struggle for the Scottish throne, heiress Daphne MacLeod, once the toast of the court, is out of options…
Norris Sutherland once helped Daphne, but she walked away from him without a backward glance. Now she’s in deep trouble and needs him more than ever. But he may be lost forever…unless she can somehow convince him to forgive her.
Praise for Mary Wine’s Highland romances:
“Mary Wine brings history to life with major sizzle factor.” —Lucy Monroe, USA Today bestselling author of For Duty’s Sake
“Hot enough to warm even the coldest Scottish nights…With a captivating leading lady and terrific pacing.” —Publishers Weekly starred review
“Not to be missed.” —Lora Leigh, New York Times #1 bestselling author
“One gripping plot twist follows another…kilt-tossing, sheet-incinerating lovemaking.” —Publishers Weekly
For more Mary Wine, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com