The elevator ground to a halt and the doors slid open laboriously. She moved to step forward, hoping to make her escape, but his hand shot out again and caught her elbow.
"Wait a minute. You're a woman," he said, as though that thought had just presented itself to him.
"That's a rare ability for insight you have there, Your Highness," she snapped before she could stop herself. And then she winced. She was going to have to do better than that if she was going to keep this relationship on an even keel.
But he was ignoring her dig. Nodding, he stared
at her with a speculative gleam in his golden eyes. "I've been looking for a woman, but you'll do."
She blanched, stiffening. "I'll do for what?"
He made a head gesture in a direction she knew was opposite of where she was going and his grip tightened on her elbow.
"Come with me," he said abruptly, making it an order.
She dug in her heels, thinking fast. She didn't much like orders. "Wait! I can't. I have to get to the kitchen."
"Not yet. I need you."
"You what?" Her breathless gasp of surprise was soft, but she knew he'd heard it.
"I need you," he said firmly. "Oh, don't look so shocked. I'm not planning to throw you into the hay and have my way with you. I need you for something a bit more mundane than that."
She felt color rushing into her cheeks and she silently begged it to stop. Here she was, formless and stodgy in her chef's whites. No makeup, no stiletto heels. Hardly the picture of the femmes fatales he was undoubtedly used to. The likelihood that he would have any carnal interest in her was remote at best. To have him think she was hysterically defending her virtue was humiliating.
"Well, what if I don't want to go with you?" she said in hopes of deflecting his attention from her blush.
"Too bad."
"What?"
Amusement sparkled in his eyes. He was certainly
enjoying this. And that only made her more determined to resist him.
"I'm the prince, remember? And we're in the castle. My orders take precedence. It's that old pesky divine rights thing."
Her jaw jutted out. Despite her embarrassment, she couldn't let that pass.
"Over my free will? Never!"
Exasperation filled his face.
"Hey, call out the historians. Someone will write a book about you and your courageous principles." His eyes glittered sardonically. "But in the meantime, Emma Valentine, you're coming with me."
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HEART BREAKER
He's the ultimate bachelor...
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Widow Marlee Stein returns to Montana with her
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takes over piloting duties, she finds herself in conflict
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attracted to a man she doesn't even want to like!
On sale September 2006!
The Cloud Chasers-
Life is looking up.
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IS PROUD TO PRESENT THREE NEW BOOKS BY THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE COWBOYS BY THE DOZEN MINISERIES
Tina Leonard
The women of Tulips, Texas—only thirty miles from Union Junction—have a goal to increase the population of the tiny town. Whether that means luring handsome cowboys from far and wide, or matchmaking among their current residents, these women will get what they want—even if it means
growing the town one baby (or two!) at a time.
MY BABY, MY BRIDE
September 2006 THE CHRISTMAS TWINS
November 2006
HER SECRET SONS
February 2007 Available wherever Harlequin books
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SPECIAL EDITION"
COMING IN SEPTEMBER FROM USA rOMK BESTSELLING AUTHOR
SUSAN MALLERY THE LADIES' MAN
Rachel Harper wondered how she'd tell
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Then she remembered. He'd lost control, too....
pregnant
Sometimes the unexpected is the best news of all...
Visit Silhouette Books at www.eHarlequin.com ssetlm
COMING NEXT MONTH
#1368 ANGELS OF THE BIG SKY • Roz Denny Fox The Cloud Chasers
Widow Marlee Stein returns to Montana with her young daughter, ready to help out with Cloud Chasers, the flying service owned by her twin brother, Mick Callen. Because of Mick's surgery, Marlee takes over piloting duties, including mercy flights—and immediately finds herself in conflict with one of his clients, ranger Wylie Ames. Too bad Marlee's so attracted to a man she doesn't even want to like!
#1369 MAN FROM MONTANA • Brenda Mott Single Father
Kara never would've dreamed she'd be a widow so young—or that she could find room in her heart for anyone besides her husband. And then Derrick moved in across the street....
#1370 THE RETURN OF DAVID McKAY • Ann Evans
Heart of the Rockies
David McKay thought he'd seen the last of Broken Yoke when he left for
Hollywood—until a pilgrimage into the mountains to scatter his grandfather's
ashes forced him to return and face his first love, Adriana D'Angelo. That's when
he realized the price he'd paid for his ambition. And how much a second chance at
happiness would change his life...
#1371 SMALL-TOWN SECRETS • Margaret Watson Hometown U.S.A.
It took Gabe Townsend seven years to return to Sturgeon Falls after the fateful car accident. He would never have come back if he hadn't had to. Because he still loved Kendall, and she was his best friend's wife.
#1372 MAKE-BELIEVE COWBOY • Terry McLaughlin Bright Lights, Big Sky
A widow with a kid and a mountain of debt. A good-looking man everyone thought they knew. Meeting for the first time under the wide-open skies of Montana!
#1373 MR. IMPERFECT • Karina Bliss Going Back
The last will and testament of Kezia's beloved grandmother is the only thing t*v ! could drag bad boy Christian Kelly back to the hometown that had brought hi misery....
HSRCNM0806
Introducing...
nocturne
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by USA TOZMF bestselling author
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Launching October 2006, wherever books are sold.
SNIBC
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