by Paula Quinn
The glimmer of surprise that sparked Callum’s eyes belied his cold, impassive voice. “Ye have courage to point yer dagger at me.” She swung, and he moved in a blur of speed, yanking her from her horse to his. Pressing her chest to his, he closed his arms around her, pinning her dagger securely behind her back. “Ye insult the laird of the clan MacGregor with such a meager weapon, lass.”
“Let me go, vermin!” she hurled at him and spent the remainder of her energy kicking and wriggling, trying to free herself. “Let me go if you be a man, and let me fight you with my sword.”
Callum glanced at Graham, mirroring the commander’s expression of admiration at her furious promise. She was a fiery, braw lass, something all Highlanders valued.
But she was a Campbell.
“Is Argyll in the keep?” Callum asked her, barely straining a muscle against her attempts to be free of him.
“I told you I don’t know where he is, but when you find him, take him to hell with you!”
Aye, now this was more like the reaction he expected from a Campbell. She was no more innocent than the rest. “Graham, get me some rope. The wench tires me.”
Her fight came to an abrupt halt. She glared up at him with the promise of retribution frosting her eyes. “Will you prove yourself naught but a savage by raping me?”
Briefly, his gaze fell to her lips, then drifted over the rest of her body in a leisurely inspection of her feminine aspects, as if he were considering it. “Woman, I am much more than a savage.”
Her nostrils flared. “I would cut off your—”
Over her shoulder, Callum saw one of her uncle’s men exit from behind the house, cocked bow in hand. He had no time to shield her as the arrow whistled toward them and penetrated her right shoulder, just above her breast. Though it happened within the space of a breath, he watched it pierce her perfect form, watched the breathtaking spark of life grow dull in her eyes. As Graham raced toward the guardsman, Callum’s eyes met hers again when she realized she’d been hit.
“Och, hell.” Her breath was a ragged whisper, sweet against his chin. “That was likely meant for you.”
Also by Paula Quinn
Lord of Desire
Lord of Temptation
Lord of Seduction
Laird of the Mist
A Highlander Never Surrenders
Ravished by a Highlander
Seduced by a Highlander
Tamed by a Highlander
Conquered by a Highlander
Praise for Paula Quinn
“Top Pick! 4½ stars! Scottish romance at its best: captivating, tender and sensual with characters readers care about. Definitely a keeper”
—RT Book Reviews on Conquered by a Highlander
“Rich, evocative historical detail and enthralling characters fill the pages of this fast-paced tale.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review) on Conquered by a Highlander
“A winning mix of fascinating history and lush romance…Readers will be captivated by the meticulously accurate historical details…and Connor and Mairi’s searing passion.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review) on Tamed by a Highlander
“Top Pick! This fast-paced tale of political intrigue populated by sensual characters with deeply rooted senses of honor and loyalty is spellbinding…Top-notch Highland romance!”
—RT Book Reviews on Tamed by a Highlander
“[A] must read…Paula Quinn weaves romance, suspense, and history into a story that unleashes a smoldering desire within the heart of the reader. A breathtaking romance full of history and heart-melting Highlanders.”
—NightOwlReviews.com on Tamed by a Highlander
“Seduced by a Highlander is sparkling, sexy, and seductive! I couldn’t put it down! Paula Quinn is a rising star!”
—Karen Hawkins, New York Times bestselling author on Seduced by a Highlander
“Scottish romance at its very best! Deliciously romantic and sensual, Paula Quinn captures the heart of the Highlands in a tender, passionate romance that you won’t be able to put down.”
—Monica McCarty, New York Times bestselling author on Seduced by a Highlander
“Five Stars! Reviewer’s Recommended Award Winner! Paula Quinn went above and beyond my expectations…With a hero to make a heart sigh and a heroine who can match the hero wit to wit, this story is one I highly recommend adding to your bookshelf.”
—CoffeeTimeRomance.com on Seduced by a Highlander
“Deftly combines historical fact and powerful romance…Quinn’s seamless prose and passionate storytelling will leave readers hungry for future installments.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review) on Ravished by a Highlander
“4½ stars! Top Pick! An amazing love story where characters’ deep emotions and sense of honor for their countrymen will enchant readers.”
—RT Book Reviews on Ravished by a Highlander
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But life has a funny way of giving you exactly what you need when you least expect it. For two new friends enter his life rather unceremoniously when Bell saves them from drowning while they’re drunk. And they encourage Bell to meet Laura, a beautiful, sensual blonde who’s desperately trying to get control of her rebellious but beloved stepson. She needs help controlling that hellion of a boy and Bell decides to offer up his services. But the last thing Bell wants is to get involved with a woman. After one look at her, will it be that simple?
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A devoted spy in service to the Crown, Alex Knight takes his duties very seriously. His latest assignment—to ensure that the incorrigible Fiona remain safely at school—turns out to be far more of a challenge than he expected. After matching wits with the fiery Scottish beauty, he learns that the greatest danger of all…begins with a kiss.
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After ignoring the advice of Miz Miriam Randall, local matchmaker, Annie Roberts expects another humdrum holiday in Last Chance, South Carolina. But when a stray cat arrives in the arms of Army sergeant Matt Jasper, a calico named Holly just may be the best matchmaker of all.
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BOUND BY DUTY
Colin MacGregor was born to fight for his beliefs, his king, and his family’s honor. After years away from his beloved Scotland, he yearns to return to its lush, green hills—and he can, after he completes one final mission for the king. Sent to infiltrate a traitor’s home, Colin is determined to expose the treasonous plot and triumph on the battlefield…until he meets a sensual lass who tempts him toward other pursuits…
BETRAYED BY PASSION
Lady Gillian Dearly is no stranger to temptation. Cast out of her family for bearing an illegitimate child, she’s now the ward of a barbarian conspiring against the king. Her only desire: freedom for her son and for herself at any cost, even if it means making a deal with the devil. Yet when a mysterious Highlander appears in their midst, his braw strength and smoldering gaze give her hope for a future beyond the castle walls—and promise a desire unlike any she’s ever known. But passion comes at a price…
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A LOVER’S PROMISE
Connor Grant left his first love in the Highlands, vowing to return after serving in the king’s army. Seven years later, he is still fighting for the crown, and his victories are legendary—both on the battlefield and in the bedroom. Yet he’s never forgotten his bonny lass. And he certainly never expected to see her amidst the splendor of the British royal court: beautiful, breathtaking, and tempting him past the point of no return.
A LADY’S DESTINY
The night he left, Mairi MacGregor banished Connor from her life forever. Now her heart belongs only to Scotland. As part of a secret alliance, she journeys to London in search of information…only to find herself face-to-face with the one man she swore she’d never trust again. Though Mairi’s body still craves Connor’s touch, she can’t forgive his betrayal. But a traitor lurks in their midst and to protect her beloved Highlands, Mairi must make a leap of faith and join forces with Connor—even if it means losing her heart to him again.
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Tristan MacGregor is famed throughout the Highlands as a silver-tongued seducer and an unrepentant rogue. Bold and charming, he’s dallied with many women, yet none as beguiling and mysterious as the lass he steals a kiss from at the king’s court. Little does he know this beauty is one of his clan’s greatest enemies.
PASSION THAT CAN’T BE DENIED
Isobel Fergusson has despised the bloodthirsty MacGregors ever since they murdered her father. When she learns the handsome stranger who captivated her so is a MacGregor, she vows to forget him. But Tristan means to possess her at any cost and Isobel’s body turns traitor at his touch. Can a man she’s sworn to hate be the only one she can ever truly love?
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Davina Montgomery is no ordinary English lady. For her own protection, she’s been locked away from society, her true identity the Crown’s most closely guarded secret. Until a shocking betrayal—and a bold rescue—land her in the arms of a fierce Highlander, a powerful warrior whose searing gaze and tantalizing touch awaken her body and soul.
UNDENIABLE DESIRE
As the firstborn son of a powerful Scottish laird, Robert MacGregor has no loyalty to the English throne, but he’s not the kind of man to leave a woman in distress. He vows to deliver Davina to safety, unharmed and untouched. Yet one stolen kiss leaves them both smoldering with desire…and desperate for more. With Davina’s secret threatening to destroy his clan, Rob must choose between everything he holds dear and the one woman he can’t live without.
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POSSESSING HER WOULD BE HIS PLEASURE
Callum MacGregor has taken many Campbell lives, but he’s never saved one—until now. Mesmerized by this spirited lass, he wants her by his side, even if it means holding her for ransom. As his fingers graze her sumptuous curves and tangle in her unruly tresses, Callum realizes Kate Campbell is his most dangerous foe of all. For he can’t make love to her without betraying his kinsmen and his honor…and surrendering his heart forever.
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DEFENDING HER WAS HIS DUTY
Skilled with a sword and quick with her wit, Scottish rebel Claire Stuart cannot be tamed. And nothing can deter her from rescuing her beloved sister and saving them both from arranged marriages—not even the handsome Highlander who vows to protect Claire. His scorching gaze and fiery kiss bring her to the brink of surrender, but she belongs to no man…
SEDUCING HER WOULD BE HIS REWARD
Graham Grant has had his share of lasses. But he has never met one as headstrong or as bonny as Claire—or one with such desperate, dangerous plans. Helping her could betray his honor, his country, and more. Graham can’t claim her. Yet everything in him says: Take her, make her yours, teach her pleasure, and never let her go.
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Contents
Title Page
Welcome
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
About the Author
A Preview of Ravished by a Highlander
A Preview of Laird of the Mist
Also by Paula Quinn
Praise for Paula Quinn
You Might Also Like...
Newsletters
Copyright
Copyright
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Copyright © 2012 by Paula Quinn
Excerpt from Ravished by a Highlander copyright © 2010 by Paula Quinn
Excerpt from Laird of the Mist copyright © 2007 by Paula Quinn
Cover illustration by Franco Accornero, cover typography by Ron Zinn. Cover copyright © 2012 by Hachette Book Group, Inc.
All rights reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the publisher is unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained by contacting the publisher at [email protected]. Thank you for your support
of the author’s rights.
Forever Yours
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First e-book edition: October 2012
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ISBN 978-1-4555-2375-7
