The Mackintosh Bride. Debra Brown Lee

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      “Don’t touch me!

      I’m not one of your whores.”

      She fought the tears welling in her eyes. What a little fool she was! Why should she care with whom he lay?

      Oh, but she did care.

      And then he laughed. A hearty laugh the likes of which she’d never heard from him. She whirled on him, her face blazing. He shook his head and his laughter died. “My whores? Think ye I went, as well? To Inverness to rut with that chattel?”

      “Didn’t you?”

      “Nay.” His smile faded.

      Her head pounded and her thoughts whirled in confusion. “But…I thought—”

      “Nay, lass.” He reached for her. She did not resist as he pulled her into his arms.

      She looked up at him and his expression softened. Warmth radiated from his body. Her hands moved instinctively to his chest.

      His voice was a whisper. “What I desire lies not in Inverness…!”

      The Mackintosh Bride

      Harlequin Historical #576

      Praise for Debra Lee Brown’s debut title

      “In THE VIRGIN SPRING we are gifted with a remarkable story. The fast pace, filled with treachery, mystery and passion left me breathless. I am convinced this is the beginning of Ms. Brown’s climb as a bestselling author.…”

      —Rendezvous

      “Debra Lee Brown pens an enjoyable tale of intrigue and adventure.”

      —Romantic Times Magazine

      “THE VIRGIN SPRING should be read by all lovers of Scottish romances.”

      —Affaire de Coeur

      #575 SHOTGUN GROOMS

      Susan Mallery & Maureen Child

      #577 THE GUNSLINGER’S BRIDE

      Cheryl St.John

      #578 THE SLEEPING BEAUTY

      Jacqueline Navin

      The Mackintosh Bride

      Debra Lee Brown

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      Available from Harlequin Historicals and

      DEBRA LEE BROWN

      The Virgin Spring #506

      Ice Maiden #549

      The Mackintosh Bride #576

      To Sherri Browning,

      Barbara Simmons and Michelle Collier-Johns

      With love and heartfelt thanks

      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

       Epilogue

      Prologue

      The Highlands of Scotland, 1192

      The girl tethered her pony in the forest and made her way on foot to the hidden copse. Shrouded in dawn’s mist it seemed a sinister place, so changed from the afternoons she and Iain had lazed by the brook and basked in the sunlight streaming through the trees.

      She moved cautiously over fallen branches and dried leaves, concealing her approach. A feeling of dread washed over her as she crouched low and parted the gorse bushes that stood like sentinels at the entrance to the thicket.

      Jesu, he was here! He was safe!

      Iain lay sprawled at the water’s edge, bedraggled and still as death, his plaid wrapped carelessly around him. Infused with fear and relief, she crept forward and knelt beside him. His face, so gentle СКАЧАТЬ