To Catch a Bride

Table of Contents

 

 

“
To Catch a Bride
is Anne Gracie at her best, with a dark and irresistible hero, a rare and winsome heroine, and a ravishing romance. Catch a copy now! One of the best historical romances I’ve read in ages.”

—Mary Jo Putney,
New York Times
bestselling author of
Loving a Lost Lord

 

 

 

“With tenderness, compassion, and a deep understanding of the era, Gracie touches readers on many levels with her remarkable characters and intense exploration of their deepest human needs. Gracie is a great storyteller.”

—
Romantic Times

 

“Once again, author Anne Gracie has proven what an exceptionally gifted author is all about . . . She gives life to unforgettable characters and brings her readers along for the ride in what has proven to be an exciting, fun, and heartfelt emotional journey. Absolutely one of the best romances I’ve read this year!”—
CK
²
S Kwips and Kritiques

 

“Anne Gracie has created a deeply emotional, at times heart-wrenching journey for these two people who must learn to trust one another with their deepest feelings and darkest fears.”—
Romance Novel TV

 

“Anne Gracie at her best, and her best is very good. She has a lyrical writing style reminiscent of Mary Balogh, and the talent to bring readers vibrant characters, potent plots, and sizzling sensuality . . . YUM!”—
Reader to Reader Reviews

 

“A winner . . . A charming, witty, and magical romance . . .

Anne Gracie is a treasure.”—
Fresh Fiction continued . . .

 

 

“Gracie begins the Devil Riders series with a fast-paced and enticing tale . . . Captures both the inherent tension of the story and the era with her hallmark charm and graceful prose.”—
Romantic Times
(4 stars)

 

“Anne Gracie’s talent is as consistent as it is huge. I highly recommend
The Stolen Princess
and look forward to the rest of the series.”—
Romance Reviews Today

 

“Anne Gracie always delivers a charming, feel-good story with enchanting characters. I love all of Ms. Gracie’s stories and
The Stolen Princess
is no exception. It stole my heart, as it will yours.”—
Fresh Fiction

 

 

“If you haven’t already discovered the romances of Anne Gracie, search for them. You’ll be so glad you did. She’s a treasure.”—
Fresh Fiction

 

“A powerfully emotional, steal-your-heart story . . . This magical romance not only warms your heart, it raises your temperature, too. Brava!”

—
Romantic Times
(top pick, 4
^-
stars)

“Have you ever found an author who makes you happy? Puts a smile on your face as soon as you enter her story world? Anne Gracie has done that for me ever since I read
Gallant Waif
and through every book thereafter.”

—
Romance Reviews Today

“One of the best romances I have read in a long time . . .
The Perfect Waltz
is the book to share with a friend who has never read a romance novel—consider adding it to your conversion kit.”—
All About Romance

 

“It’s rare to find a novel that’s so moving and entertaining at the same time. I’d give a ten to the whole series if that were possible.”—
Romance Reviews Today

 

“One of those books that needs to be read from beginning to end in one sitting. Honestly, I couldn’t put it down!”

—
Romance Reader at Heart

 

“Romance at its best . . . I was captivated by this story . . . Rush out and pick up this book—you won’t be disappointed.”

—
Romance Junkies

THE PERFECT RAKE
THE PERFECT WALTZ
THE PERFECT STRANGER
THE PERFECT KISS

 

 

THE STOLEN PRINCESS
HIS CAPTIVE LADY
TO CATCH A BRIDE

Penguin Group (Canada), 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario M4P 2Y3, Canada (a division of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc.) Penguin Books Ltd., 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England Penguin Group Ireland, 25 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland (a division of Penguin Books Ltd.) Penguin Group (Australia), 250 Camberwell Road, Camberwell, Victoria 3124, Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty. Ltd.) Penguin Books India Pvt. Ltd., 11 Community Centre, Panchsheel Park, New Delhi—110 017, India Penguin Group (NZ), 67 Apollo Drive, Rosedale, North Shore 0632, New Zealand (a division of Pearson New Zealand Ltd.) Penguin Books (South Africa) (Pty.) Ltd., 24 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196, South Africa

 

Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

 

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

 

TO CATCH A BRIDE

 

A Berkley Sensation Book / published by arrangement with the author

 

Berkley Sensation mass-market edition / September 2009

Copyright © 2009 by Anne Gracie.

 

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions. For information, address: The Berkley Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

 

eISBN : 978-1-101-14003-1

 

BERKLEY
^®
SENSATION
Berkley Sensation Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group,
a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,
375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.
BERKLEY
^®
SENSATION and the “B” design are trademarks of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

 

 

 

 

A
whip cracked, shattering the stillness of the icy landscape. The thunder of hooves grew louder as the curricles approached the bend, neck and neck. The road was narrow, the bend was sharp but neither curricle slowed.

The horses raced, straining to get ahead, heads outstretched, breath steaming in the frosty chill.

As they hurtled around the bend the wheels of the claret and silver curricle grazed those of the black and yellow curricle.

“For God’s sake, Rafe, show a little care, if not for yourself or me, for my shiny new curricle,” Luke Ripton, the driver of the black and yellow vehicle, yelled.

For answer, Rafe Ramsey’s whip snaked out over his horses and cracked just above their flanks.

“You’re driving like a lunatic, man, more so than usual.”

“I’ve got a wedding to go to.” Rafe snapped the reins and urged his horses faster.

“You want to get there alive, don’t you?”

Rafe glanced across at his friend. His eyes flashed blue ice.

Seeing that look, Luke had no qualms about easing back to let his friend’s curricle take the lead. He and Rafe raced all the time. Usually it was a joyous madcap experience.

But the mood Rafe was in today . . .

It wasn’t directed at himself, Luke knew. Rafe had arrived at their rendezvous that way. Nothing Luke could say could snap him out of it. Rafe had responded to each sally and quip with a cold, barely restrained politeness, as if politeness could bite.

Luke, knowing the signs of old, gave up trying. Rafe was one of his oldest friends and was usually the coolest, calmest fellow he knew. But on rare occasions he descended into these moods and the only thing to do was to let them burn themselves out.

The cause was always the same: Axebridge.

Rafe rarely took his anger out on his friends—anger in Rafe didn’t show outwardly, it burned him up from within. The war had been a useful outlet. These days he raced.