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

Home > Other > Soldier of Fortune: The King's Courtesan (Rakes and Rogues of the Retoration Book 2) > Page 36
Soldier of Fortune: The King's Courtesan (Rakes and Rogues of the Retoration Book 2) Page 36

by James, Judith


  ~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.”

  ~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

  Highland Rebel

  “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 an
d 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.

  Continue buy now

  Author and Contact Information

  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.

  Ms James is always delighted to hear from readers and invites you to visit her on Facebook, her webpage or on twitter.

  Judith James Twitter http://tinyurl.com/ptb6blb

  Judith James Facebook http://tinyurl.com/nmbenky

  Judith James Website www.judithjamesauthor.com

  If you are interested in a review copy of any of Ms James’ books, you can contact her through Facebook, twitter, or at:

  [email protected]

  Rakes and Rogues

  Other books by Judith James

  Buy now

  Libertine’s Kiss http://tinyurl.com/nomjvha

  Soldier of Fortune (The King’s Courtesan) http://tinyurl.com/kqynq9y

  The Highwayman http://tinyurl.com/op4kx7q

  Broken Wing http://tinyurl.com/po2b345

  Highland Rebel http://tinyurl.com/pkjwwoz

  Contents

  Title page

  Praise for Soldier of Fortune

  Available from JUDITH JAMES

  Preface

  PROLOGUE

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

  EPILOGUE

  Historical Note

  The Highwayman

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  JUDITH JAMES BOOKS AND REVIEWS

  Libertine’s Kiss

  Other books from Judith James

  Broken Wing

  Highland Rebel

  Author and Contact Information

 

 

 


‹ Prev