Defending the Duchess. Rachelle McCalla

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      HE’LL KEEP HER SAFE—AT ANY COST

      Protecting the royal family is Linus Murati’s job. So when the queen’s younger sister is attacked, the devoted Lydian royal guardsman goes into action and saves her life. But this was no random occurrence. Danger has followed Julia Miller across the Atlantic from Seattle. Now Linus has two missions: to keep the maddeningly independent future duchess in his sights at all times, and to catch the culprit who threatens the woman whose trust—and love—he desires above all others.

      “Is there anything I can do to make it easier?” Julia asked, still feeling guilty after all Linus had done for her.

      “If you could relax—” he glanced around as if wary of whatever danger might be lurking about “—it makes it easier to carry you.”

      “Oh.” Julia hadn’t thought of that. She wasn’t used to being carried and realized she’d been straining ever so slightly as though to keep a small distance between them.

      It was foolish, she realized now. Linus had to carry her. The least she could do was try to make the job easier on him.

      Reluctantly she pressed her cheek against his shoulder and closed her eyes to the embarrassment she felt. She could feel the surging beat of his heart as he strained to move her uphill as quickly as possible. She let out an anxious breath and focused on breathing in slowly.

      Over the scent of the sea, Julia caught a whiff of manly scent—something wild and strong and oddly soothing. She breathed in again, more slowly this time, and felt her fears ebb away.

      She was in good hands.

      Linus was watching out for her.

      RACHELLE McCALLA

      is a mild-mannered housewife, and the toughest she ever has to get is when she’s trying to keep her four kids quiet in church. Though she often gets in over her head, as her characters do, and has to find a way out, her adventures have more to do with sorting out the carpool and providing food for the potluck. She’s never been arrested, gotten in a fistfight or been shot at. And she’d like to keep it that way! For recipes, fun background notes on the places and characters in this book and more information on forthcoming titles, visit www.rachellemccalla.com.

      Defending the Duchess

      Rachelle McCalla

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      MILLS & BOON

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      My God, I trust you. Do not let me be disgraced.

      Do not allow my enemies to defeat me.

      —Psalms 25:1, 2

      To my siblings: Nichole, Brian and Brittany.

      Contents

       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

       Dear Reader

       Questions for Discussion

       Excerpt

      ONE

      Linus Murati stepped into the visual surveillance room of the royal guard headquarters, a three-story brick building located on the Lydian royal palace grounds across the rear courtyard from the garages. “Get me suite 322 on screen, please,” he requested.

      “I thought you had duchess duty tonight?” Simon accused Linus as he pulled up the view from the surveillance camera.

      “I do. Miss Miller has requested an evening in.” Linus leaned over the back of his friend’s chair and blinked at the image of the white paneled door where he’d left Queen Monica’s СКАЧАТЬ