Connie Mason (24 page)

Damian grew thoughtful. “You ask too much of me, Elissa.”

“Please, just talk to them. If they prove difficult, send them to London, but give them a chance to redeem themselves.”

“You are very forgiving, my love.”

“Please, Damian, try to make peace with the Gordons for my sake. They’ve lost their chieftain, the rebellion has been nipped in the bud.”

Sir Richard returned with the prisoners before Damian could reply to Elissa’s plea.

“You have been declared outlaws,” Damian told the sullen prisoners. “If I send you to London, ’tis likely you’ll be sent to the gallows. Have you anything to say for yourselves?”

The Gordon men shifted uncomfortably, then one man stepped forward. “We throw ourselves on yer mercy, my lord. Our chieftain is dead; there is none among us who wishes to carry on what he began. We all have families to feed and clothe. There is never enough food to go around and our children are starving.”

Damian listened intently. Then he turned to Elissa. “What say you, wife?”

Elissa’s heart leaped with joy. Was Damian really going to let her decide these men’s fates? “I’m inclined toward leniency,” she said, “but that is for my husband to decide. How many of you would be willing to swear fealty to the Lord of Misterly?”

A long pause ensued, then one by one, each man dropped to his knee before Damian. Damian rose, spread his arms wide, and said, “So be it. It would please my wife if you brought your wives and children down from the mountains and made your homes in the village. Misterly’s lands are vast. There is always need for shepherds and farmers. I will provide the building materials for cottages to shelter your families.”

A hush fell over the assembly. Then the cheering began. Damian raised his hand for silence. “You have my permission to take Tavis Gordon’s body to his family for burial and to return to Misterly with your kin. Jem, see to the arrangements.”

“Thank you, Damian,” Elissa whispered. “I know you won’t be sorry.”

After the Gordons filed out, Sir Richard stepped forward and cleared his throat. “Damian, may I have a word with you?”

“Certainly, Dickon, what is it?”

“Well, I’ve been thinking about this for some time.” His gaze found Maggie and he held out his hand. Smiling, she walked to him and placed her hand in his. “Maggie and I would like your permission to wed.”

Elissa jumped to her feet. “Oh, Maggie, I’m so happy for you. I know how much you love Sir Richard.”

“Am I to assume this is a love match?” Damian drawled.

Sir Richard smiled at a blushing Maggie. “I never thought it would happen, but aye, ’tis a love match.”

“Then you have my approval,” Damian beamed. “When shall we hold the wedding?”

“As soon as…”

“Wait,” Sir Brody interrupted, sending Marianne a tender look. “Lady Marianne and I would like to make it a double wedding.”

A startled look crossed Damian’s face. “Lady Marianne, do you wish to wed Sir Brody?”

Lady Marianne smiled shyly. “If it’s all right with you and my daughter, my lord.”

“Mama! I had no idea you were contemplating marriage,” Elissa cried. “Of course it’s all right, and I’m sure Damian agrees.”

“We’ll make it a grand celebration,” Damian said. “’Tis just what we need to bring the clans together again in peaceful coexistence.”

“What about me?” Lora asked plaintively.

Damian laughed. “You’re too young to wed, but I promise you’ll have the finest husband in the land when you’re ready.”

“You can help me plan the weddings,” Elissa offered.

That seemed to placate Lora, for she threw her arms around Elissa and gave her a fierce hug.

“We’re a family now, aren’t we, Damian?” she asked shyly.

Damian planted a kiss on her forehead. “Aye, little one. We are indeed a family.”

Suddenly Nan stood and raised her cup in a toast. “Drink up, all ye braw laddies and bonny lassies. Drink to the new Lord of Misterly and his lady. Drink to the heir our lass carries, and to the peace and prosperity his birth will bring.”

“Amen,” Damian said, raising his cup and drinking deeply.

Everyone stood and saluted the Lord and Lady of Misterly.

Damian grinned at Elissa, then pulled her into his lap and kissed her soundly, passionately. Everyone laughed and cheered as Damian swept her up and carried her away. But the lovers heard nothing but the pounding of their hearts and saw nothing but the love shining in each other’s eyes.

“I love you, my glorious Highland lassie,” he whispered as he held her close to his heart.

“And I love you, my fierce Demon Knight.”

“This tale of a Danish vixen and a Viking warrior is full of action, heightened sexual tension and enough twists to keep readers glued to their chairs.”

“She delivers what longtime romance readers want: remarkable characters and a story that sweeps them away.”

“This is a one-night read that truly satisfies.”

“This deep-sigh love story is ideal for whiling away an afternoon.”

“This is classic Mason. Her fans will put this on the top of their to-read lists.”

“Mason’s romances are always a feast for readers seeking a passionate, exciting story peopled with larger-than-life heroes who take your breath away.”

“A legend of the genre, Mason delivers a tried-and-true romance with a classic plot and highly engaging characters.”

“Another wonderful story filled with adventure, witty repartee and hot sex.”

“Ms. Mason has written another winner to delight her fans who want sexual tension that leads to hot explosion, memorable characters and a fast-paced story.”

VIKING WARRIOR

THE PRICE OF PLEASURE

HIGHLAND WARRIOR

A TASTE OF PARADISE

A KNIGHT’S HONOR

GYPSY LOVER

THE PIRATE PRINCE

THE LAST ROGUE

THE LAIRD OF STONEHAVEN

TO LOVE A STRANGER

SEDUCED BY A ROGUE

TO TAME A RENEGADE

LIONHEART

A LOVE TO CHERISH

THE ROGUE AND THE HELLION

THE DRAGON LORD

THE OUTLAWS: SAM

THE OUTLAWS: JESS

THE OUTLAWS: RAFE

THE BLACK KNIGHT

GUNSLINGER

BEYOND THE HORIZON

PIRATE

BRAVE LAND, BRAVE LOVE

WILD LAND, WILD LOVE

BOLD LAND, BOLD LOVE

VIKING!

SURRENDER TO THE FURY

FOR HONOR’S SAKE

LORD OF THE NIGHT

TEMPT THE DEVIL

PROMISE ME FOREVER

SHEIK

ICE & RAPTURE

LOVE ME WITH FURY

SHADOW WALKER

FLAME

TENDER FURY

DESERT ECSTASY

A PROMISE OF THUNDER

PURE TEMPTATION

WIND RIDER

TEARS LIKE RAIN

THE LION’S BRIDE

SIERRA

TREASURES OF THE HEART

CARESS & CONQUER

PROMISED SPLENDOR

WILD IS MY HEART

MY LADY VIXEN

A LEISURE BOOK
^®

June 2009

Published by

Dorchester Publishing Co., Inc.
200 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016

Copyright © 2002 by Connie Mason

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E-ISBN: 978-1-4285-0690-9

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