by Paula Quinn
“What is it you see, Montagu?” Daniel challenged him, with a dangerous curl of his mouth.
Before the queen’s cousin replied, she held up her palm to stop him. Daniel wished she wouldn’t defend him. It always denied him the privilege of taking Montagu to the lists. “In case you have forgotten, Richard, Sir Daniel quelled a planned invasion by my stepbrother, James, last year, ending a Jacobite uprising. Since then, he has subdued three other rebellions started by James’s supporters. He fought in Spain and in the Colonies in the War of Spanish Succession, and he is the most loyal among all my men. If you insist on continuing to insult him, I will have no other choice but to have you removed from my presence.”
She didn’t wait for her cousin to agree, but tugged Daniel toward the entrance, dismissing the rest of her escorts. “I wish to have words with you in private, General Marlow.” Her powdered face glowed against her periwig. Her rosy lips pursed as if she already imagined kissing him.
He went with her, as eager to get this over with as she was to begin. He let her lead him to her private gardens.
“I’m going to Somerset in a se’nnight,” she began while they strolled. “I want you to escort me.”
“And your husband?”
“He will remain here.”
Her affections had indeed grown then, as did her boldness. She wanted an affair with him. Every man in the palace tonight would have leaped at the chance to bed Her Majesty, the Queen. But she was wed and his duty was to protect her from harm, not lead her into it.
“You risk the scorn of every nobleman inside your palace,” he said, his voice blending in with the darkness. “Bedding me will give your enemies more reason to depose you.”
“My enemies are those nasty Jacobites. I have a plan to keep them away. But I’m not concerned with that now. I don’t care about what my subjects think. I want you inside me.”
He closed his eyes. She wasn’t used to being told no. Was he a fool to let morality guide him? He always did. He couldn’t help it. Some called it a flaw. Some called it honor.
“My lady—”
She pushed him back against a tree and pressed herself to him. “Anne.”
“Anne,” he whispered against the mouth she tilted toward his. It wasn’t that he didn’t desire her at this moment, her breasts crushed to his chest, her hips pressed to his. She was his for the taking. A queen, offering herself up like a sacrifice. How easy to just…
“Please, Daniel. I know from whence your reservations flow. You see, I know much about you as well. You grew up under the tutelage of the kingdom’s most learned master of the Arthurian legend, Geoffrey Hollister. I know you are a man of value and it is one of the virtues I love most about you. You must think me a terrible harlot, but I love you and I wish to have you.”
Daniel didn’t fully understand how dangerous this was for him until this very moment. If he broke her heart, she would hate him and God only knew what she’d do. He’d seen what she had done to a woman who showed him her favor openly, kissed him in front of the queen. She wouldn’t think twice about hanging him or tossing him into some prison if he refused her. She didn’t need to prove her charges. She was the damned queen. He could take what she offered and make her yield in a dozen different ways, but in the end, that too could end badly for him.
He had to use caution and do his best to spare his feelings. Ideally, he wanted her to continue to hold him in high affection without forcing him to abandon his values.
“You say I am a man of value and you love that the most about me.”
She nodded, her breath growing heavier, her hands more urgent upon him. She tore at his justacorps but the brocade was too thick to rip.
“My lady, if I do what you want, I won’t be the man you lost your heart to.” He captured her wrists and looked into her eyes. He recognized the fury brewing in their dark depths.
“Is it the Viscount of Stockton’s wife? What is her name? Amanda? Is she the reason you don’t want me?”
Damn. This was precisely what he feared when he took a woman to his bed, which, contrary to what his friend claimed, didn’t happen often. He sacrificed much to please the throne and keep the queen’s wrath off perfectly innocent women. But it angered him that this jealousy could bring harm to his dear friend. She should be careful, lest she get what she wanted. His expression darkened on her, and, still holding her wrists, he pushed them behind her back.
“Who said I didn’t want you?” He leaned over her, enjoying the frantic beat of her heart against him. If she wanted him, then he would let her know what she was getting. He was no knight in the bedchamber, but a merciless bastard who took long to satisfy and who didn’t stop until he was. He liked it hard and rough, passionate and possessive. “But know this, if I have you, I will take until there is little left. Do you understand, my lady? I will take your heart. You will never deny me from taking what I want, and I will rule over you.”
Her anger over Amanda faded into indignation tinged in fear. “How dare you—”
He took her mouth with raw possession and kissed her until he felt her knees grow weak. He withdrew and stared into her eyes. “The first thing you will need to do is get rid of your husband.”
She pushed away from him, her eyes wide with fear and self-restraint. “I will need time to think over my decision.”
“Of course.” He bowed.
She watched him and smiled while he straightened. “I mentioned my plan for the Jacobites earlier.”
He nodded, thankful for having succeeded in getting her off him without insulting her.
“Captain Lewis is set to leave in the morning with a small number of his men,” she told him. “They’re going to the Highlands to escort a high-ranking Jacobite chief’s daughter back here to be my handmaiden.”
Why the hell would she want a Jacobite in her castle? “What’s your plan?”
She shrugged her shoulders and waved away his question. “Peace. If I keep one of their daughters here with me, they won’t attack.”
Not necessarily, Daniel thought. But still a dreadful undertaking. He was thankful that it wasn’t him that had to do it. The only thing he hated more than the Highlands were Jacobites. He’d fought enough of them to know they were among the most fearsome men who lived. He also knew they hated Anne, and William and Mary before her. They were rebels with no loyalty to the throne or obedience to any law. They were everything he was trained up to despise. Traitors to their king, or in this case, queen. Such people deserved the noose.
“But I think you should go fetch her instead.”
Daniel smiled, sure that he’d heard her incorrectly. “Me?”
“You.” She confirmed with a nod. “I think it best you take a few weeks away to curb this ravishing desire you have for me and to put from your mind these mad notions of ruling over me.”
She turned away and raised her palm over her shoulder in case he thought to follow her. He didn’t.
“You will leave at dawn. Travel sparsely and out of uniform when you reach the Highlands. You know how Highlanders despise the English. See Captain Lewis about the rest of the details. And Daniel? I will miss you.”
He stared after her. Disgusted and angry. Damn morality. Damn it to hell.
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
A Highlander for Christmas (e-novella)
The Seduction of Miss Amelia Bell
The Sweet Surrender of Janet Buchanan (e-novella)
ACCLAIM FOR
PAULA QUINN’S NOVELS FEATURING THE MACGREGOR CLAN
The Seduction of Miss Amelia Bell
“Quinn captures the aura of the Highlands and its people as well. Her portrayal of the Scots and
English’s conflict and contentious history is so well told that readers will feel they are a part of the events. Honorable, smart, dedicated characters fill the pages of this memorable tale as much as the sexual tension and nonstop action.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Fast-paced and passion-filled! What an adventure!… a must read.”
—MyBookAddictionReviews.com
“A great book!… plenty of passion, romance, and adventure… one of the best books I’ve read in a long time… a captivating story from beginning to end.”
—NightOwlReviews.com
“Delicious… highly entertaining… a witty, sensual historical tale that will keep you glued to the pages… This beautifully written, fast-paced tale is a true delight.”
—RomanceJunkiesReviews.com
Conquered by a Highlander
“Rich, evocative historical detail and enthralling characters fill the pages of this fast-paced tale.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Scottish romance at its best: captivating, tender, and sensual with characters readers care about. While fascinating as a romance, it also delivers a message about moral courage. Definitely a keeper.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Exciting… delightful… what a conclusion to this fast-paced, adventure-filled story with characters that jump off the page and will capture your heart.”
—MyBookAddictionReviews.com
Tamed by a Highlander
“Top Pick! Quinn’s talents for weaving history with a sexy and seductive romance are showcased in her latest Highlander series book. 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
“A winning mix of fascinating history and lush romance… Readers will be captivated by the meticulously accurate historical detail… and Connor and Mairi’s searing passion.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“[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
Seduced 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
“Top Pick! An engrossing story brimming with atmosphere and passionate characters… a true keeper.”
—RT Book Reviews
“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
Ravished by a Highlander
“Deftly combines historical fact and powerful romance… There’s much more than just sizzling sensuality: history buffs will love the attention to period detail and cameos by real-life figures, and the protagonists embody compassion, responsibility, and unrelenting, almost self-sacrificial honor. Quinn’s seamless prose and passionate storytelling will leave readers hungry for future installments.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“4½ Stars! Top Pick! Quinn once again captures the aura of the Highlands. Here is an amazing love story where characters’ deep emotions and sense of honor for their countrymen will enchant readers.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Incomparable… Paula Quinn expertly interweaves fact and fiction so well that you will come to truly believe every one of her characters can be found in the pages of history… a romantic adventure of the heart, where emotional confrontations leave an unforgettable impact.”
—SingleTitles.com
Fall in Love with Forever Romance
UNLEASHED
by Rachel Lacey
Cara has one rule: Don’t get attached. It’s served her well with the dogs she’s fostered and the children she’s nannied. But one smile from her sexy neighbor has her thinking some rules are made to be broken. Fans of Jill Shalvis will fall in love with this sassy, sexy debut!
MADE FOR YOU
by Lauren Layne
She’s met her match… she just doesn’t know it yet. Fans of Jennifer Probst and Rachel Van Dyken will fall head over heels for the second book in the Best Mistake series.
SCANDALOUS SUMMER NIGHTS
by Anne Barton
Fans of Tessa Dare, Julia Quinn, and Sarah MacLean will love this charming and wickedly witty new book in the Honeycote series about the passion—and peril—of falling in love with your brother’s best friend.
HE’S NO PRINCE CHARMING
by Elle Daniels
A delightful retelling of the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast with a wonderful, sensual, and playful twist that fans of Elizabeth Hoyt won’t want to miss!
THE BURIED
by Shelley Coriell
“It’s cold. And dark. I can’t breathe.”
Grace and “Hatch” thought they’d buried the past, but a killer on a grisly crime spree is about to unearth their deepest fears. Don’t miss the next gripping thriller in the Apostles series.
SHOOTING SCARS
by Karina Halle
Ellie Watt has been kidnapped by her thuggish ex-boyfriend, leaving her current lover, Camden McQueen, to save the day. And there’s nothing he won’t do to rescue Ellie from this criminal and his entourage of killers in this fast-paced, sexy USA Today bestseller!
THE WICKED WAYS OF ALEXANDER KIDD
by Paula Quinn
The newest sinfully sexy Scottish romance in New York Times bestselling author Paula Quinn’s Highland Heirs series, about the niece of a Highland chief who stows away on a pirate ship, desperate for adventure, and the pirate captain whose wicked ways inflame an irresistible desire…
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Contents
Cover
Title Page
Welcome
MacGregor/Grant Family Tree
Cast of Characters
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
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
About the Author
A Preview of The Scandalous Secret of Abigail MacGregor
Also by Paula Quinn
Acclaim for Paula Quinn’s
Novels Featuring the MacGregor Clan
Fall in Love with Forever Romance
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 © 2014 by Paula Quinn
Excerpt from The Scandalous Secret of Abigail MacGregor copyright © 2014 by Paula Quinn
Cover design by Diane Luger
Cover art by Judy York
Cover hand lettering by Ron Zinn
Cover copyright © 2014 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 constitute 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.
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First ebook edition: October 2014
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