Highland Belle

by Patricia Grasso
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Publish Date: February 04, 1991
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Overview

Wed through an arranged marriage to a tyrannical Scot, Brigette Devereux picked up her pride and left. Her hair was red as a fox, her skin smooth as silk. Her pure complexion belied her fiery heart and her turbulent past. Her quest for freedom flung her straight into the embrace of Lord Iain MacArthur. She was rebellious; he was consuming. He was treacherous and she was no stranger to treachery. She was fair and he was darkness. Together they would set ablaze the time they had between them. Tossed from one tyrant to another, Brigette could not deny his evil ways nor could she deny her passion for him. His sweet-talking lips won her over and he brought his new bride to Dunridge Castle. But was this really a castle or would it be a prison Before Brigette was willing to find out she fled again. From Scottish countryside, through highlands, across lakes and down-country through England to the shadowy streets of London, Lord Iain MacArthur would chase his prize and Brigette would flee the man who loved her. She was a free spirit and he was driven to capture her heart!
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Author Information

Patricia Grasso

Patricia Grasso is the author of fifteen historical romances which have won various awards including the National Readers' Choice Award, the Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice and KISS Awards as well as the B. Dalton and Bookrack Awards for bestselling first-time author.

A native of Massachusetts, Patricia makes her home in the Boston area. She earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in English and, for many years, used her "leisure" time to teach in a public high school. Currently, Patricia lives with four gorgeous males---all cats.

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Product Details

Published by

eReads
Publish Date

February 04, 1991
Print ISBN

0440207932
eBook ISBN

9780759275904
Imprint

eReads
Filesize

1.94 MB
Number of Print Pages*

N/A

* Number of eBook pages may differ. Click here for more information.

Excerpt from Highland Belle by Patricia Grasso

Drizzle, sheer as a bride's veil, laced the air; summer had arrived in the south of England. Basildon Castle, the ancestral home of the earls of Basildon, rose spectacularly out of the mist like a magnificent beast.

Upon one of the castle's tower walks paced a solitary young woman. Her eyes were anxious as she scanned the surrounding countryside, especially the road leading to the castle.

Brigette Edwina Devereux, second daughter of the late Earl of Basildon, searched the road below and saw what she dreaded. A troop of men were riding through the light mist toward Basildon Castle. Toward her! She shivered with apprehension.

"Lo! The bridegroom cometh!" whispered a voice near Brigette's ear. She whirled around and faced her younger sister, Heather.

"Once I'm wed," Brigette countered, "the queen's eyes will turn on you. Then you, obnoxious brat, will be wearing my slippers."

"As did our sister! When Kathryn was forced to wed the Irishman, you were less than kind." Heather smirked. "Now you'll wed and bed a savage from the north."

"One day Iain MacArthur will be the Earl of Dunridge and I will be his countess," Brigette returned, sounding more confident than she felt. "He's no rebel."

"He's worse than a rebel," Heather spat, then shuddered delicately. "Rebels kill for freedom. Highlanders kill for pleasure!"

"Liar!" Brigette screeched. "Freckle-face liar!"

The insult hit its mark. Heather shrieked in rage, but as her hand shot out to slap her sister, she was grabbed from behind.

"Cease!"

"Let me go!" Heather screamed, struggling against her cousin, Spring. "Loose me, you bastard!"

Brigette gasped at her sister's words and Spring's hands dropped away instantly. Surprised, Heather faced her cousin and was ashamed when she saw the hurt in the other girl's eyes.

"Yes, my lady," Spring said coldly. "I'm only your base-born cousin. Lady Brigette's tirewoman."

"I'm sorry. I did not mean..."

"The countess sent me to get you," Spring interrupted, looking at Brigette. "Your betrothed has arrived."

The three young women peered curiously over the battlement. Sir Henry Bagenal, Louise Devereux, and the young earl, Richard, stood in the courtyard to greet the Scotsman. Tall and well built, he shook Richard's hand first and nodded deferentially, then greeted Sir Henry. Finally, he bowed low over the dowager countess's hand.