Amanda Scott - [Border Trilogy Two 02]
Read Amanda Scott - [Border Trilogy Two 02] Online
Authors: Border Lass
The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
Copyright © 2008 by Lynne Scott-Drennan
All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
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First eBook Edition: September 2008
ISBN: 978-0-446-54275-3
Contents
A preview of "Border Moonlight"
PRAISE FOR AMANDA SCOTT’S SCOTTISH ADVENTURES
BORDER WEDDING
“4½ Stars! TOP PICK! Not only do her characters leap off the pages, the historical events do too. This is more than entertainment and romance; this is historical romance as it was meant to be.”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews Magazine
“4½ Hearts! A very enjoyable read that is rich in history . . . Ms. Scott’s next book will be another must-read.”
—NightOwlRomance.com
“5 Stars! Amanda Scott has possibly written the best historical in ages! . . . There was not a part of this story that was not enjoyable . . . the best book to come along in a long time.”
—FallenAngelReviews.com
“A journey you won’t want to miss! Scott’s gift is her ability to create people you want to know. No matter the conflict or the story line, you’re always drawn to the people.
Border Wedding
, the first novel in a new trilogy, is no exception. Another winner!”
—FreshFiction.com
“Wonderful . . . full of adventure and history . . . Scott is obviously well-versed on life in the fourteenth century, and she brings her knowledge to the page . . . an excellent story for both the romance reader and the history buff. I’m anxious to read others by Scott in the future.”
—Midwest Book Review
“Don’t miss this beautiful historic tale.”
—BookCoveReviews.com
“A fun, light read . . . Scott’s vivid attention to details makes you feel as if you are indeed visiting Scotland each and every time you pick up her delightful book.”
—ArmchairInterviews.com
“A winner . . . Few authors do medieval romances as consistently excellent as Amanda Scott’s . . . brings to life the late fourteenth century.”
—HarrietKlausner.wwwi.com
“Well-written narrative and dialogue . . . exciting plot . . .
Border Wedding
proves great stories of Scotland don’t only arise out of the Highlands.”
—RomRevToday.com
KING OF STORMS
“4 Stars! An exhilarating novel . . . with a lively love story . . . Scott brings the memorable characters from her previous novels together in an exciting adventure romance.”
—
Romantic Times BOOKreviews Magazine
“Passionate and breathtaking . . . Amanda Scott’s
King of Storms
keeps the tension moving as she continues her powerful saga of the Macleod sisters.”
—NovelTalk.com
“A terrific tale starring two interesting lead characters who fight, fuss, and fall in love . . . Rich in history and romance, fans will enjoy the search for the Templar treasure and the Stone of Scone.”
—
Midwest Book Review
“An engaging tale with well-written characters, and a wonderful plot that will keep readers turning pages . . . Fans of historical romances will be delighted with
King of Storms
.”
—TheRomanceReadersConnection.com
“Enjoyable . . . moves at a fast pace . . . It was difficult to put the book down.”
—BookLoons.com
“Intrigue and danger . . . Readers will enjoy the adventures and sweet romance.”
—RomRevToday.com
“Enchanting . . . a thrilling adventure . . . a
must
read . . .
King of Storms
is a page-turner. A sensual, action-packed romance sure to satisfy every heart. Combine this with a battle of wits, a test of strength, faith, and honor, and you have one great read.”
—FreshFiction.com
KNIGHT’S TREASURE
“An enjoyable book for a quiet evening at home. If you are a fan of historical romance with a touch of suspense, you don’t want to miss this book.”
—LoveRomanceAndMore.com
“Filled with tension, deceptions, and newly awakened passions. Scott gets better and better.”
—NovelTalk.com
LADY’S CHOICE
“Terrific . . . with an exhilarating climax. Scott is at the top of her game with this deep historical tale.”
—
Midwest Book Review
“Enjoyable . . . The premise of Scott’s adventure romance is strong.”
—
Romantic Times BOOKreviews Magazine
“A page-turner . . . her characters are a joy to read.
Lady’s Choice
is sure to delight medieval historical fans.”
—
Romance Reviews Today
“Plenty of suspense and action and a delightful developing love story . . . Another excellent story from Scott.”
—RomanceReviewsMag.com
PRINCE OF DANGER
“Phenomenal.”
—
Romantic Times BOOKreviews Magazine
“RITA Award-winning Scott has a flair for colorful, convincing characterization.”
—
Publishers Weekly
“Exhilarating . . . fabulous . . . action-packed . . . Fans of fast-paced historical tales . . . will want to read Amanda Scott’s latest.”
—
Midwest Book Review
“Amanda Scott is a phenomenal writer . . . I am not sure if perfection can be improved upon, but that is exactly what she has done in her latest offering.”
—RomanceReaderAtHeart.com
LORD OF THE ISLES
“Ms. Scott’s diverse, marvelous, unforgettable characters in this intricate plot provide hours of pure pleasure.”
—
Rendezvous
“Scott pits her strong characters against one another and fate. She delves into their motivations, bringing insight into them and the thrilling era in which they live.”
—
Romantic Times BOOKreviews Magazine
“Amanda Scott writes great tales.”
—RomanceReviewsMag.com
“Ms. Scott’s storytelling is amazing . . . a captivating tale of intrigue . . . This is a definite keeper.”
—CoffeeTimeRomance.com
A HIGHLAND PRINCESS
“Fast-moving, exciting, and soaring to heights of excellence, this one is a winner.”
—
Rendezvous
“Delightful historical starring two fabulously intelligent lead characters . . . Grips the audience from the onset and never [lets] go.”
—
Affaire de Coeur
“Perfect for readers who enjoy romances with a rich sense of history.”
—
Booklist
“A fabulous medieval Scottish romance.”
—
Midwest Book Review
“A marvelously rendered portrait of medieval Scotland, terrific characters, and a dynamic story.”
—
Romantic Times BOOKreviews Magazine
O
THER
B
OOKS BY
A
MANDA
S
COTT
Border Wedding
King Of Storms
Knight’S Treasure
Lady’S Choice
Prince Of Danger
Lord Of The Isles
Highland Princess
The Secret Clan: Reiver’S Bride
The Secret Clan: Highland Bride
The Secret Clan: Hidden Heiress
The Secret Clan: Abducted Heiress
Border Fire
Border Storm
Border Bride
Highland Fling
Highland Secrets
Highland Treasure
Highland Spirits
The Bawdy Bride
Dangerous Illusions
Dangerous Angels
Dangerous Games
Dangerous Lady
The Rose At Twilight
To Julie and Pat for all you have given to each other. And to Tanner, just for being Tanner.
F
or readers who appreciate some basic information straightaway, I include the following definitions and pronunciation guide:
Buccleuch = Buck LOO (or, as my resident phonics purist insists, Buh-CLOO)
Hawick = HOYK
“Himself,” where it appears capitalized in this book, refers to Buccleuch. (Note: It could also refer to Douglas if spoken by his adherents. In general, when such a reference is made, the speaker is referring to the chief of his clan or kindred.)
Scone Abbey = Scoon Abbey
Sir John Edmonstone of that Ilk = Sir John Edmonstone of Edmonstone
The Douglas = the Earl of Douglas
Dunfermline Abbey, Scotland, 1389
H
e had been watching her most of the day.
In such a vast, merry crowd as the one gathered along the snow-covered shore of Loch Fitty, north of Dunfermline Abbey and its nearby royal palace, it was easy for him to watch the lass without drawing attention to himself.
At a rough guess, nearly a thousand people had come to enjoy the festivities preceding a Yuletide wedding in the abbey of the Earl of Douglas’s eldest son to Margaret Stewart, daughter of the heir to Scotland’s throne.
The lass he watched wore a long, hooded cloak of sable-trimmed, claret-colored velvet over a violet-and-black-striped silk skirt and bodice. He noted that a few dark tendrils had escaped the colorful beaded netting that confined her hair. And when she snatched up her skirts to leap out of the way of a snowball, he saw sable-trimmed winter boots that covered her legs to her knees.
She had drawn his gaze from the first moment he saw her. But had anyone asked why, he’d have had trouble explaining. He might have said that her figure, rosy cheeks, and wide grin reminded him of his mother. But surely, no man felt drawn to a woman because of a slight, doubtless wholly imagined, maternal resemblance. In his view, a man simply responded to an attraction. He did not try to explain it.
Although the lass’s figure was rounder and more buxom than fashion decreed, he thought she looked as if she’d be a cozy armful, the kind of woman with whom a man could find comfort. She was clearly merry and fun-loving, and although many might condemn her present lack of dignity, he did not.
Winter-crisp air or rouge had turned her full lips as red as her cheeks. Her dark eyes sparkled as she laughed, then ducked another snowball that someone had hurled and scooped up one of her own to fling back.