by Jane Godman
“You would do that? You would bow your knee to the king or leave Scotland…for me?”
“Ah, d’ye still not get it, Englishwoman? I would do anything for you.”
“Even make a Scotswoman of me?”
“That,” he said, sliding from the bench and onto one knee before her, “was going to be my next question.”
All of the remaining servants were gathered in the great hall of Castle Lachlan when the laird returned. Fraser paused in the doorway, looking about him with a slight frown in his eyes. It appeared he was alone, and the hearts of those observing him fell at the thought that his mission must have been in vain. Then he stepped into the room, and the slender figure that had been hidden by the voluminous folds of his cloak could be seen. She put back the hood of her own cloak with a shy smile, and her curls tumbled free about her shoulders.
“Miss Wantage.” Cora hurried forward to greet her.
“No.” Fraser paused, holding up her hand to show everyone the ring on her finger. “I present to you all…your lady. My lady. Martha Lachlan.”
Then he kissed her. In front of everyone. It was so sudden and unexpected that Martha gave a soft gasp into his mouth. The kiss was slow and loving, and his hands drew her close into a lover’s embrace. Martha was drowning in their mingled breaths, intoxicated by the taste of him and the pressure of his hard chest pressing her breasts flat to the front of her dress. She was lost, drunk on the sensual pleasures of his mouth, his exploring tongue, his knowing fingers and his hard-muscled frame. She melted against him. The cheers and shouts around them faded to nothing in comparison to what she felt in his arms. When Fraser released her and she saw the blaze of love in his eyes, her own eyes filled with tears of joy.
She was home at last.
Epilogue
The beach was in darkness when they hauled the boat ashore. The bedraggled group of men who clambered out of the vessel looked around them in some confusion. One of the French fisherman peered into the prow of the boat, where the nets were piled.
“Il est mort,” he said, prodding the body that lay there. “This one is dead, m’sieur. Of a certainty.”
“Mind your mouth, my good man, and help me get him into the carriage.” Although he was English, the man they called the Falcon spoke in flawless French.
“These are men of the defeated Jacobite army,” one of the fishermen whispered to the others, as they carried the inert figure between them. The man’s head flopped back, his dark-blond hair coming loose from its restraining velvet ribbon. “They face death across the Channel if they stay in their own country.”
They placed their burden in the waiting carriage, and the Falcon joined him. The man’s eyes opened. They were a clear and startling blue in colour.
“Where am I?” He spoke in English.
“You have just come ashore near Dieppe,” the Falcon replied in French. “We are going to a safe house on the outskirts of Paris.”
“I remember nothing.” Automatically, he replied in equally perfect French. His hand clenched on his knee. Moonlight caught and glinted on the unusual ring he wore. It depicted an eagle with outstretched wings. “Not even my own damned name.”
“That, my friend, is probably just as well. I will call you Jacques, and it is best, for the time being at least, if you lose the title, my lord.”
About the Author
Jane Godman reads anything she can get her hands on, and ever since she could hold a pen, she has been writing stories.
Her historical romances feature proud, rebellious heroes, feisty heroines, fascinating supporting characters and luscious settings.
Jane’s gothic romances are love stories with a dash of horror and a creepily ever after. These stories are heavily tinged with the supernatural and feature haunted characters tormented by dark secrets. Her writing also includes the occasional foray into the realms of suspense and horror.
Jane lives in England and enjoys travelling to European cities which are steeped in history and romance. Venice, Dubrovnik and Vienna are among her favourites. She is married to a lovely man and mum to two grown-up children.
Jane loves to hear from readers and can be contacted at:
Website: www.janegodmanauthor.com
Twitter: @JaneGodman
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Jane-Godman-Author
Email: [email protected]
Look for these titles by Jane Godman
Coming Soon:
Taming His Rebel Lady
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This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.
Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
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A Kiss for a Highlander
Copyright © 2015 by Jane Godman
ISBN: 978-1-61922-863-4
Edited by Anne Scott
Cover by Kim Killion
All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
First Samhain Publishing, Ltd. electronic publication: June 2015
www.samhainpublishing.com