Soldier of Fortune: The King's Courtesan (Rakes and Rogues of the Retoration Book 2) (46 page)

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“The travesti character in romance isn't just a neat way to throw off the gender balance in the ol' boy meets girl. The switcheroo - especially in the historical - is about the same thing as the change-up in Figaro: Access to power...Yet sometimes heroines spend time en travesti out of responsibility, as is the case with Catherine Drummond, heroine of Judith James' exceptional “Highland Rebel.” Heiress and rightful laird of her clan, Catherine's forced out of chief's position, but it doesn't stop her from risking life and limb for her people. Dressed for battle as a boy, she's captured in the melee, then saved from rape and a slow death when cynical King's man Jamie Sinclair marries her amidst the gore. Even as they spend time together in both London and the Highlands - and Sinclair encourages Catherine to dress as a man so he can show her the life she deserves - Sinclair remains solitary and unreachable, and one of the most intriguing heroes of this year...grand in scope and entertainment… high art, indeed.

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Michele Buonfiglio
Barnes and Noble

“
Highland Rebel
represents the best of the genre: carefully researched, with complex, compelling characters and a good, galloping plot… Upscale historical romance at its best! Highly recommended.”

~
Eileen Charbonneau
Historical Novels Review

“The novel is working on several levels at once, juggling multiple big themes – loyalty, authenticity, fidelity, vulnerability...
Highland Rebel
is a rich and ambitious novel with compelling protagonists and an expansive political and geographic scope...definitely a book for all those readers of Historical Romance who like their history as much as their Romance”

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Janet
Dear Author

“Judith James pens a tale that captures me from the beginning and doesn't let go. Ms. James paints such vivid scenes for us that it's easy to see the places, people and times they live in... Secondary characters are many and help to enhance the tale. Jamie seems to know all the famous and infamous people of the times which helps the historical facet of the book come alive...Ms. James makes this an unforgettable tale. “ Five Hearts.

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Dee Daily
Romance Studio

“James Sinclair is that most common of English Lords, possessed of titles and land but completely devoid of cash. He desperately needs a rich heiress for a wife and thinks he will earn one in the mercenary service of the Stuarts, though they are making it hard for him. It took a cunning mind to serve both Protestant King Charles II and his successor, the Catholic King James II...I don't think the cover does this book justice. I suppose it is a historical romance, but I think it leans more to historical fiction...The author is an excellent writer who did extensive research and it shows in the depth of her characters and the liveliness of her settings. Jamie is strong and capable with a caustic sense of humor. Catherine is independent and courageous, more than a match for him. Their verbal sparring, at turns funny and biting, were my favorite parts of this excellent novel. Add the sweeping vistas of the Highlands and the lush valleys of Ireland and you have a winning combination. If you like historical fiction, you will enjoy
Highland Rebel
. I know I did!”

~
The Tome Traveller

“There's nothing like a deliciously handsome bad boy and a wonderfully strong heroine to kick the day up a notch. For that matter, this pairing tends to kick the evening up a notch as well.
Highland Rebel
by Judith James was a wonderfully passionate and action filled romance that left me flipping back through the book, searching for more. Her writing flows nicely, her characters come alive and the story was so beautifully developed that the pages would just fly by without me even noticing. I definitely have to give Highland Rebel top marks. I figured the book might be good from the synopsis, but fell in love with it by the second page. The emotion that James writes with and the ability she has to draw you into the story was just amazing. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a great Romance or a great Action. This book encompasses the best of both of those worlds.”

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Cinnamon Brown

“Highland Rebel is an incredible journey of a book! Not only is the setting detailed enough to take the reader through time, the story is beautiful...I am thoroughly impressed by Ms. James!”

~
Kerensa
Crave More Romance

“Highland Rebel is filled with a rich historical background...Jamie and Cat are two polar opposite characters that simply sizzle together...The fireworks between them is phenomenal and the romance is tender, yet molten hot. The repartee between the two of them had me in stitches...Highland Rebel is a historical romance treat you won’t want to miss.”

~
Wendy's Minding Spot

Preview

“Mouse?”

“Yes, English?”

“Why do I smell like a tavern?”

“You don’t remember falling down drunk on our wedding night? I had to hunt you down in the tavern and drag you home.ʺ

He felt a moment’s bewilderment, and then he chuckled. “I think not. But you have managed to bind me with silken cords and drag me to your lair.”

“Yes, I have. The tables have turned, English. You’re
my
prisoner now. It’s about time you woke up.” She studied him carefully, looking for any trace, any memory of the other night, but it was clear she’d left no impression. She was both relieved and disappointed, but she wasn’t really surprised.

“How did I get here?”

“Like a sack of potatoes, English. I threw you over my mare and brought you. You were in a bad way. You’ve been here over a week now.”

“And you’ve been taking care of me?”

“Sometimes me, sometimes my nurse, Martha. She’s quite taken with you.”

“Why?”

“She thinks you’re bonny and braw and will breed fine sons.”

“No, mouse. Why are you helping me?”

“Did you expect me to leave you to die?”

“Well... yes. I rather thought that was your intention when you failed to fling yourself in my arms and claim me as your man.”

“I was betrothed, and you are a great impediment to a useful marriage. Had I claimed you, you’d have lost your head in a heartbeat.”

“As opposed to taking their time and pleasure over it.”

“I’m sorry for it, English, but there was naught else I could do.”

“My name is Jamie, love. Do you know, my dear, for complete strangers we share a great deal in common? We both find ourselves saddled with inconvenient spouses.’’

He accepted the cup of tea she passed him, enjoying himself as she plumped a pillow and helped ease him into a sitting position. “Now tell me, sweetheart, if I’m so great an impediment, why did you save me? Wouldn’t it have suited you better to see me dead?”

“I didn’t want the betrothal, so for me, it’s very useful to be married to you. It wouldn’t be at all convenient if you were dead.” Although it would have been... so long as they’d never realized who he really was.

“Ah! I see.”

He seemed genuinely disappointed and she relented a little. “Well, there was that... and I also felt I owed you something. Despite your boorishness and ill manners, you did come to my aid at the River Clyde.”

“How awkward it must have been for you, indebted to such a lout.”

“Indeed. We’re even now though, English. Or we will be once you’re on your way.”

“My dear girl! I’m shocked and hurt. Why so eager to be rid of me? It’s most unseemly in a wife. I’m usually accredited an interesting fellow by the ladies. I’m sure I’ll grow on you over time. There are few amongst the fairer set that can long resist my charms.” He gave her an appealing grin.

She almost answered with a grin of her own, and then she remembered Molly.

“Is that so? You’ll permit me to say I’m surprised. I’ve found you to be highhanded, smug, and... conceited. You flail about and cry out in your sleep, and every time I’ve seen you, you’ve smelled like a distillery. I can’t say I find that appealing.”

“That’s hardly fair! I’m a British peer. I can’t help but be highhanded, conceited, and smug. As to the rest, I’m an invalid. I assure you, on most occasions, it’s the ladies who flail about and cry out in my bed.”

She snorted and rose to her feet, turning her head to hide the crimson flush staining her cheeks.

“Why is it again? That I smell like a tavern?”

“It’s the whiskey. We’ve been using it for medicinal purposes. Why did you come, English? What do you want from me?”

“My name is Jamie. James Sinclair. I came to find you. You’re my wife now, my responsibility.”

“In name only. That’s no reason to travel for days in hostile territory risking accident, capture, and death.”

“Would you believe me if I said I was smitten the moment I first beheld you, and I couldn’t eat, drink, or sleep soundly again until I held you in my arms?”

“No,” she said flatly.

“I thought not. You don’t strike me as the romantic sort. Well... has it occurred to you this business might be terribly inconvenient for me as well? I’m badly in need of funds, my dear. I have an heiress waiting for me back home. One that doesn’t bite or beat me, and whose family doesn’t wish me dead. I can hardly marry her if I can’t be rid of you.”

Ah, yes, of course! She should have known. Now it was she who was stung. ‘
You don’t strike me as the romantic sort’.
Well... no point in holding that against him, she didn’t strike anyone else that way, either. When they looked at her, they saw barrels of whiskey and stacks of gold. “I’ve explained to you, an annulment would inconvenience me right now. Besides, I’m needed here. I can’t go with you.”

“I’m sorry, mouse, but I really must insist.”

“You’re in no position to insist on anything, English.”

“It’s Jamie.”

“My family calls me Cat. Why do you insist on calling me mouse...English?”

“Because you’re such a shy and timid little thing, my love, and when I first saw you, I wanted to scoop you up and put you in my pocket.”

She looked at him carefully, and then threw him a wineskin. “I’ve brought you a treat. If you’re going to smell like it, you might as well enjoy it. There’s water over there, and I’ve brought you biscuits and cheese. Martha will come and check on you tonight. Save your strength. You’ll be needing it. You’ll have to leave here soon, before my cousin returns, or you’ll be trapped here all winter.”

“Well, that hardly seems an evil fate, what with one’s loving wife close by to keep one warm.” He winced as a wrapped bundle landed on his chest with a heavy thud. “Good lord, girl! Are these your biscuits? Remind me not to dismiss my cook.” She turned to go, ignoring him.

“Wait a moment! Hellcat... Mouse!”

She stopped at the entrance and sighed, then turned to face him. “What?”

“Thank you... for saving my life.”

Catherine regarded him steadily, and then nodded. “Thank you...Jamie... for saving mine.” She slipped out the entrance a moment later and was gone. Jamie smiled and stretched, groaning as his tortured muscles and tender back complained. His fair maiden had a heart, albeit a flinty one. She’d not abandoned him to torture and death, and she’d nursed him back to health. That was a novelty. No one had ever nursed him before that he could recall. There were unexpected advantages to having a wife, even a bad-tempered, inconvenient one.

He grinned. If she thought to use him to keep another at bay, she was badly mistaken. He would bring her to London, and then, at his leisure, he’d decide if he wanted to keep her, or get an annulment and send her back home. She had a streak of honor, his little hellcat. Too bad for her he didn’t. As soon as he was well enough, he’d take her with him, bound and gagged and slung over his saddle if need be. A vision of her fetching behind laid across his lap and bouncing in front of him as he made his way home, brought a wicked smile to his lips as he drifted off to sleep.

It came as a great surprise two days later when old Martha came with her three strapping sons. They knocked him on the head, bound and gagged him, and put him in a dinghy, rowing him out to toss him aboard a waiting clipper with orders he not be let loose until he was over the border and well on his way to London.

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Judith James is an avid reader and history buff. She is also a bit of an adventure junkie and has travelled, worked and lived in many places, including the Arctic, Ireland, London and France. Variously employed as a trail guide, horse trainer, and clinical psychologist, she's had the opportunity to live out many of her dreams. She has found the perfect place to write on the East Coast, with a view of the ocean from her window. Judith's writing combines her love of history, romance and adventure with her keen interest in the complexities of human nature, and the heart's capacity to heal. She is currently in service to a cranky elderly cat who thinks she can type and delights in teaching lessons about backing up files.

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