Authors: Paula Quinn
Laird of the Mist
Paula Quinn
Contents
Copyright © 2007 by Paula Quinn
All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Forever
Hachette Book Group USA
237 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Visit our Web site at
www.HachetteBookGroupUSA.com
First eBook Edition: December 2007
ISBN: 0-446-50369-X
He stood naked and alone at the edge of the loch, its surface set aflame by the morning sun.
“D’ye have somethin’ ye wanted to speak to me about? Or were ye plannin’ on just starin’ at me while I bathed?”
Kate thought hard about running then. But ’twas too late, he was already turning around to face her. She was thankful, at least, that half his body was covered in water. That is, until his eyes found hers.
How could they sear her flesh and chill her blood at the same time? They drew her in, inviting her onto a battlefield for which she had never practiced. Looking into them, she wondered what victory would gain her if she was braw enough to engage.
“Would ye care to join me?”
Praise for the novels of
PAULA QUINN
Lord of Seduction
“Quinn is an author to watch.”
—
Publishers Weekly
(starred review)
“4 Stars! Readers will fly through the pages and wiggle in their seats. Feast on this medieval banquet!”
—
Romantic Times BOOKreviews Magazine
“Excellent writing and tantalizing romance.”
—RomRevToday.com
“This novel captures the era, on both sides of the conflict, with masterful skill . . . a fine romance, plenty of action, and a few twists in this medieval tale.”
—ARomanceReview.com
“Paula Quinn crafts a story in which the details combine to make you feel as if you are there with her characters. I sighed over the gentleness of the hero and the charm of the heroine. LORD OF SEDUCTION is not to be missed.”
—Bookloons.com
“Bold and passionate medieval romance.”
—FreshFiction.com
Lord of Temptation
“Features a sinfully sexy hero who meets his match in a strong-willed heroine . . . An excellent choice for readers who like powerful, passion-rich medieval romances.”
—
Booklist
“Will enchant and entertain . . . Passion, danger, treachery, and heartbreak fill the pages of this splendid novel . . . don’t miss
Lord of Temptation
.”
—RomRevToday.com
“Quinn’s lively romance . . . offers two spirited protagonists as well as engaging minor characters . . . The sharp repartee and dramatic finale make this a pleasant read.”
—
Publishers Weekly
“Quinn wins readers’ hearts with a light touch, even as she invokes strong themes of slavery, freedom, and the need for independence.”
—
Romantic Times BOOKreviews Magazine
“A truly magnificent tale . . . Dante is a perfect hero and lover and Gianelle is special—perfect for each other. The passion is fantastic—unbeatable!”
—RomanceReviewsMag.com
Lord of Desire
“Four stars! . . . Fast-paced and brimming with biting, sexy repartee, and a sensual cat-and-mouse game.”
—
Romantic Times BOOKreviews Magazine
“Gloriously passionate . . . boldly sensual . . . Quinn deftly enhances her debut with just enough historical details to give a vivid sense of time and place.”
—
Booklist
“Fans of medieval romances will enjoy spending a few warm summer evenings with this one.”
—RomanceReadersConnection.com
“A page-turning experience from beginning to end . . . Highly recommended . . .
Lord of Desire
’s strength resides in Ms. Quinn’s talent for characterization and storytelling . . . [she] does a fabulous job of creating characters to care about, laugh with, and shed a tear or two for.”
—RomRevToday.com
“A fine historical romance.”
—Midwest Book Review
“An emotional and compelling story that brings together a strong but wounded hero and spirited and determined heroine. The characters quickly immerse the reader into their lives.”
—RomanceJunkies.com
“A novel worthy of movie rights . . . If you love a good romance, with a nod toward
Ivanhoe
, then
Lord of Desire
will be a fine addition to your collection. If you have never tried a medieval romance, it would be a good choice, because it is one of the best in recent years.”
—ARomanceReview.com
A
LSO BY
P
AULA
Q
UINN
Lord of Desire
Lord of Temptation
Lord of Seduction
For the MacGregors
“While there’s leaves in the forest and foam on the river MacGregor despite them shall flourish forever.”
T
O MY HUSBAND
, who patiently listened and learned about this brave clan and understood why their story made me cry. And to my children, who lovingly roll their eyes when I try (and fail) to speak with a Scottish burr.
To my editor, Michele Bidelspach, for each and every word of encouragement. Thank you for your insight and for helping me make this book all it should be.
To my agent, Andrea Somberg, who always makes me feel like I can do anything. Thank you for your faith in me.
To Rika, Gabrielle, Terra, Christy, Rabbit, Willow, Melissa, January, and Dublin, you make every page I sweat over worth it. Thank you for your support and your friendship.
And to God, for His grace in my life.
by Frank McNie
We’re the children of the mist with no land to call home,
descended from kings but destined to roam.
We were honoured in battle then hunted like game,
but the proof of our mettle is we’re still proud of our name.
They outlawed our clan and the mode of our dress,
but we never measured allegiance by chance of success.
Some things we’re not proud of were circumstance led,
but what prince not a rogue to see his children are fed?
Our friendship was valued by high born and low,
our steadfast belief earned respect from our foe.
No great castles had we and our numbers were few
but our clansmen before us kept our legacy true.
G
LEN
O
RCHY
, S
COTLAND
S
EVENTEENTH
C
ENTURY
K
ATE
C
AMPBELL
L
OOKED
her enemy square in his lifeless face and then swung. Her blade severed an arm, but the torso remained intact. Mindless of her uncle’s men honing their battle skills around her, she lifted the ax she gripped in her other hand and grunted as it sank deep into her opponent’s straw chest.
Swiping her hair away from her eyes, she spied her uncle Duncan crossing the small bailey of her holding. He had arrived in Glen Orchy a few days ago to bring her to Kildun Castle, in Inverary. He’d promised to bring her and her brother to his home when they were children, but at the end of each visit he left without them.
Their mother died giving Kate life. Their father was killed at Kildun twelve years after that, just before Duncan was named Earl of Argyll, and Kate and Robert’s guardian.
Kate watched him stalk toward her, his equine legs encased in fine woolen breeches and boots of polished obsidian. His frame was slight, his shoulders narrow beneath an olive doublet. He was built more for priesting than for fighting, though he often bragged of his victories in battle. These battles kept him away from Kildun for months at a time, he’d reminded them many times during his visits, planting a kiss on their foreheads before heading for the doors. Soon he would come to bring them home with him. But he never did. Not even when her father’s vassals began leaving, save for a small handful who raised them.
Kate met the earl’s gaze briefly, and his gray eyes grew dark with intent that made her skin crawl. He may not have wanted her as a child, but he wanted her now.
“You brandish your weapons well, Katherine.” He came up behind her and ducked to his right when she hefted her ax over her shoulder for another crushing swipe, this time to her enemy’s thigh.
Aye, she and Robert had been made to practice day after day. “Amish and John taught us well.”
Behind her, she heard a tight snort. “They have remained loyal soldiers to my brother these many years. But their duty to him is over now. I will see that they are rewarded.” He leaned over her so that his whispered breath clung to her cheek. “It pleases me to know you would fight back should any man try to ravish you.”
Kate clutched the handle of her ax and thought about flinging it over her shoulder. “Truly, Uncle, your concern for mine and Robert’s well-being has always warmed my heart. Especially when you used to remind us how fortunate we were that it was the McColls who raided Glen Orchy every other fortnight, and not the murderous MacGregors.” He hadn’t cared that a Highlander might ravish her while she was growing up, or that there were but a handful of men left in the garrison to fight them if they did.
“When you were a child, the only thing the raiders wanted was sheep. I knew you were safe here. But now you are a woman and the Highlanders will take more than your livestock.” His breath glided over her throat. Kate cringed and brought her ax down hard on her opponent, raining hay on their heads.
“I do not fear any man who thinks to come here to steal my virtue, Uncle.”
“And if our enemy should fall upon you?”
Kate knew whom he meant. He’d spoken of them countless times over the years. “There are hardly any Mac-Gregors left in Scotland worth fretting over. I’m certain I shall never meet one.”
“There are enough of them left to continue to back the royalists’ cause.” The earl curled his finger around a raven lock that fell over her shoulder. “We must not forget how they joined forces with their Catholic Marquis of Montrose against us. Or how many of our kinsmen have died during their murderous rampages. Remember I told you how they massacred the Covenanters without mercy at Kilsyth? I will not let you fall to them, as well. You will do as I say and come home with me.” He gave her hair a tug, as if to remind her that he would not let her refuse.
