by Carol Arens
Arms grabbed her, held her tight. Someone picked her up off the ground to take her who knew where. Frenzied, she kicked out, gnashing her teeth, seeking his throat.
“Lils.” The arms around her began to rock. A large, firm hand stroked her hair. It cradled her head to a stallion’s chest. “It’s all right, Lils, I’ve got you.”
Jess rushed forward. He wrapped his arms about her and Trace.
“It’s all right, Auntie,” he said, out of breath. “You’re safe now. We all are, even Ma.”
“Bethany?” Lilleth looked about through tear-flooded eyes and saw her sister, clutching her skirt high and rushing through the door of the shed. Trace made room for Bethany in the hug.
Other people gathered in the doorway. A middle-aged woman Lilleth did not know brushed a tear from her eye.
A man who looked like Trace, but a generation older, held Alden in front of him. Hanispree struggled, but the man had his arm locked around his neck.
“Kidnapping carries a hearty penalty,” a young woman said. She strode in the door, swiping moss away from her face.
She walked up to Perryman, who was detained in the corner by a big, if thin, man Lilleth recognized as one of the inmates.
“Quit your blubbering, man,” the young woman said. “It’s only a broken nose.”
“Cover that man up. He’s perfectly revolting,” the middle-aged woman said to Trace.
He kissed Lilleth, then went and plucked a filthy rag from the corner and dropped it on Perryman.
Lilleth hugged her sister’s neck, and they both wept. Jess patted their shoulders.
After a moment she looked for Trace. He stood beside the moss-covered woman dressed in gauze, speaking quietly to her. The woman glanced at Lilleth and smiled, then clapped her hands.
When Trace came back to her, she lifted his coat, skimming her hands over his shirt, searching for blood. “I thought for sure I’d stabbed you.”
“I thought so, too.” He touched his shirt where the old scar was. “Saw the spike coming right at me.”
“I couldn’t turn it away. I tried.... I don’t know how....”
“It was Pa that turned the stake away.” Jess looked at his mother.
Bethany cupped his cheeks, then kissed his forehead. “I’m sure it was,” she answered. “He watches over us from above.”
“Not above, Ma. Right here. I saw him as clear as I’m seeing you. He pushed the point of the spike down. After that he went over to Uncle Alden and kicked him in the butt.”
Alden Hanispree fainted. The man holding him let him drop, then anchored him with a boot to the chest.
“I understand, son,” Bethany said. “It’s been a frightening day. It’s only natural that you might imagine your father’s ghost was here. But in the light of day, there is no such thing.”
“Mrs. Murphy wouldn’t say so,” Jess answered. “But Pa wasn’t a ghost, he was more like an angel.”
“I believe you, Jess.” Lilleth spoke up for him.
She did believe it. Trace had been coming down on that spike. She was not the one who had moved it out of the way.
“So do I,” Trace declared. “Never expected to say so, but the fact is, I’m not dead and I ought to be.”
“There’s more to the universe than we mortals can understand,” the pretty older woman declared. She smiled and she, too, looked like Trace. “I understand there’s to be a wedding.”
* * *
Trace stood before the fireplace in the library, kissing his bride...at last. At long last.
The ceremony hadn’t taken place the moment Bethany had been freed, because according to the women of the family, weddings involved more than just the bride and groom being willing.
To his dismay, they had swept Lilleth away an hour after the town marshal had come to escort the criminals to jail, and they had not let Trace near her since.
It had taken four very long days to arrange things to the ladies’ satisfaction. Lace ribbons and satin sashes draped the library from ceiling to floor in what he had been assured was a romantic setting to thrill his bride.
As far as he was concerned, a romantic setting would be Lilleth wearing nothing but blushing skin, soaking in the bath or reclining on the bed...or the stairs.
Since his mother, his sister, and Bethany, too, had their hearts set on all the frills and frippery, the only thing to do was grin through each prewedding task.
At last a feast was prepared and a guest invited. Mrs. Murphy had been confused at first. Wasn’t Lilleth already Trace’s spirit bride?
Happy events, Lilleth had explained to her, were often repeated in the great beyond, given that folks had eternity to celebrate. This pleased Mrs. Murphy no end.
Cooper had come for the wedding, but had been no help in rushing Trace to the altar. Very clearly, he had taken a shine to Bethany...and Bethany had taken, if not a fancy, at least an interest in him.
With Alden going to jail for a very long time, Bethany had become the new owner of the mental hospital. Seeing to the inmates’ comfort and moving them all to the fancy wing of the facility had taken time away from hammering down the wedding details.
The longest delay had been due to the wedding gown. Trace’s mother, Hannah and Bethany had fussed over the secret garment for all the four days.
In the end, with the waiting finished, he had to admit it was worth the delay.
His Lils glided toward him looking as if she were wrapped in the mists of heaven. A lump lodged smack in his throat when she smiled at him.
They stood in front of his brother Jace to recite their vows. Jace was the only Ballentine to not take a position in the family business. His was a higher calling, as he liked to explain.
Finally, the promises were given. Lils was Trace’s from this day forward. He was hers for now and forever more.
Cheers erupted in the library. Lilleth and Trace were now “the Ballentines.” A couple, man and wife.
After a lifetime of wishing, he was finally kissing his bride. His mind itched with visions of things to come later.
A tap on his shoulder reminded him that this was not later.
“I’d like to welcome my daughter-in-law, son,” his mother said.
She wrapped Lilleth in a great hug and whispered in her ear. When his mother transferred her to his father for a welcome, he whispered things, too. Things that made Lilleth grin and nod her head.
If he’d eavesdropped correctly, his father had just given Lilleth a job. Trace would have something to say about her being a spy. He didn’t like it. One investigator in the family was treacherous enough.
Trace snatched his wife back from her brand-new father-in-law and tucked her close to his side. She was his, and that meant protecting her.
“There’s a rule against working in the field when you become a mother,” he whispered in her ear.
“Don’t be silly, Trace.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, looked him in the eye, then rose up on her toes to kiss him. “That’s a weak rule, according to your sister.”
“Rules are rules,” he recited.
“And yet you broke the biggest one of all, and here you are, employed and forgiven.”
“And given a raise,” he grumbled.
“Life is going to be grand.” She patted his cheek. “Not a dull moment.”
“I’m thinking of keeping the library open, right here in Riverwalk.” That sounded safe.
“You’d die of boredom and make me miserable in the process.”
Lilleth wriggled out from under his arm and dashed across the room to embrace her sister.
That one action told him just what life would be like. He would try and hold Lils to him, to protect her as a man ought to, and she would dash away and do whatever she wanted.
Lif
e with Lilleth Ballentine would not be a sweet and predictable fairy tale. He thanked God for that. It would be earthy, exciting and wonderful. She had been right when she told him he would be bored with the life of a librarian, even if it was in the name of safety.
Candlelight, satin swags and the aromas of the feast did make for a night of romance. In spite of his impatience to get to this moment, Trace wouldn’t have changed an instant of it.
The guests would leave soon. Then the night would belong to him and his bride.
The front door opened. Sarah blew inside on a dark cold wind, carrying the latest books she had borrowed. The little girl shivered in her thin coat. It was well past the time that she ought to be out.
Trace took a step toward her, then stopped when he spotted Jess doing the same. The look on the boy’s face was one that he remembered on his own face many years ago.
Jess was smitten. He walked toward little Sarah in a Cupid-induced trance.
Sarah smiled at him. Jess grinned back and lifted the books from her arms.
That just went to show that love was timeless. As far as Mrs. Murphy was concerned it crossed eternity.
Trace caught Lilleth’s gaze from where she stood across the room, speaking to her sister. He nodded his head toward Jess, who shifted from foot to foot, looking nervous and enraptured all at once.
Lilleth elbowed her sister in the ribs, then discreetly pointed toward the children.
Bethany covered her mouth with her hand to hide a chuckle. Lilleth whispered in her ear, and whatever she said made her sister’s eyes widen in horror.
Lilleth laughed out loud, then looked at Trace, the love in her eyes as tangible as a kiss.
His bride touched her heart. She winked and blew him a kiss.
* * * * *
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ISBN-13: 9781460321492
REBEL WITH A HEART
Copyright © 2013 by Carol Arens
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SHE IS SIN PERSONIFIED…
Cursed by past tragedies, notorious Highlander Laird Athdar MacCallum has devoted himself to leading his people—and has vowed never to marry again. Until he is utterly disarmed by the innocent beauty in the eyes of Isobel Ruriksdottir…
Isobel is drawn to the vulnerability she senses behind the fearsome facade of the clan chief. But with his formidable reputation, he is strictly forbidden. Being together can only lead them into danger, yet the temptation to risk all for their perilous passion is impossible to ignore.
He had crossed a line with her.
A very desirable and pleasing line, but one that an honorable man did not cross with an innocent unless there was an understanding between them.
When he attempted to step back she resisted, tightening her grasp on his shirt and leaning against him. She let him go but watched him with wide, intent eyes. Uncertain of what to say, he waited for her, expecting she would be overwhelmed by the power of the passion between them. When she did not speak, he finally found words.
“Do you regret this?” he asked softly as he leaned over and picked her shawl up from the floor.
“Regret?” She shook her head. “I regret only that you stopped.”
* * *
The Highlander’s Dangerous Temptation
Harlequin® Historical #1162—November 2013
Author Note
Back in 2005, when I wrote Taming the Highlander, young Athdar MacCallum did something stupid that started this entire series—he taunted the formidable half Norse/half Scots warrior Rurik, and the debacle ended with Athdar’s sister being forced to marry the Beast of the Highlands!
Athdar is now grown-up and laird of his clan. To many, he is cursed with the worst luck in women—having lost two wives, a betrothed, and with another woman thinking about marrying him! He has sworn off the fairer sex—until a young woman grabs his attention and he is drawn to her, unable to resist her.
Since I torment and tease my heroes all the time, it should be no surprise to you that when Athdar finally lowers his defenses, it is the daughter of his nemesis who brings him to his knees!
I hope you’ll enjoy The Highlander’s Dangerous Temptation, this next book in my MacLerie Clan series (which seems to grow monthly!). There are some serious moments, too, as Athdar struggles with the sins of his past and as Isobel tries valiantly to help the man she loves face his greatest failures. But anytime Rurik Erengislsson enters the story, watch out—there is danger and humor ahead!
Happy reading!
The
Highlander’s
Dangerous
Temptation
Terri Brisbin
Available from Harlequin® Historical and
TERRI BRISBIN
The Dumont Bride #634
The Norman’s Bride #696
The Countess Bride #707
The Christmas Visit #727
“Love at First Step”
The King’s Mistress #735
The Betrothal #749
“The Claiming of Lady Joanna”
The Duchess’s Next Husband #751
The Maid of Lorne #786
Taming the Highlander #807
The Earl’s Secret #831
Surrender to the Highlander #886
Possessed by the Highlander #910
One Candlelit Christmas #919
“Blame It on the Mistletoe”
*The Conqueror’s Lady #954
*The Mercenary’s Bride #1002
*His Enemy’s Daughter #1034
ΔThe Highlander’s Stolen Touch #1106
ΔAt the Highlander’s Mercy #1134
ΔThe Highlander’s Dangerous Temptation #1162
And from Harlequin HQN
Highlanders
“The Forbidden Highlander”
And in Harlequin Historical Undone! ebooks
*A Night for Her Pleasure
ΔTaming the Highland Rogue
And in Harlequin Historical Royal Weddings ebooks
What the Duchess Wants
*The Knights of Brittany
ΔThe MacLerie Clan
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TERRI BRISBIN
is wife to one, mother of three and dental hygienist to hundreds when not living the life of a glamorous romance author. She was born, raised and is still living in the southern New Jersey suburbs. Terri’s love of history led her to write time-travel romances and historical romances set in Scotland and England.
Readers are invited to visit her website for more information at www.terribrisbin.com, or to contact her at P.O. Box 41, Berlin, NJ 08009-0041.
To all of my readers,
You make me stay up nights, struggling to capture the words and images swirling inside my brain and to forge them into a story that’s worth reading! You make me want to write the next word, the next chapter, the next book, even when it makes more sense to give it all up and hit Delete. Your notes, mail, emails, Facebook posts encourage me all along the way and especially during those long, intense deadline binges o’writing.
All I can say is THANK YOU.
Contents
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
Epilogue