Summer's Bride

Summer's Bride
Catherine Archer

Genevieve of Harwick had lived with her storm-tossed emotions ever since Marcel Ainsworth left to sail the seas, believing she'd wanted him for his name alone. But now that Marcel had finally returned, she swore to use all her womanly powers to keep him by her side.After two lonely years at sea, Marcel still hungered for a woman he could never have. The third son of the powerful Ainsworths would not suit Lady Genevieve, or so he thought. But when she became a stowaway on his ship, Marcel's determination crumbled. Amidst the crashing waves, would Marcel give in to the love they shared, and the passion that led them both?

“Why do you shiver so? Am I so very distasteful to you, Genevieve?”

She looked down, breathing deliberately, still infinitely aware of the strength and deftness of his hands, the heat of his body so very near hers. “Nothing could be further from the truth…” she began, then stopped for fear of what this statement might reveal. “My hands are simply tender and you startled me.”

He frowned, looking down at the raw skin. “Forgive me, Genevieve. I will have more care.”

Guilt assaulted her, but she made no effort to reassure him. For it was the tenderness of his touch that brought about her dilemma.

Even now as he stroked the cool cloth gently over her palm did she have to close her eyes to hide the thrill that coursed through her at the contrast between that cool cloth and the warmth of his own flesh…!

Dear Reader,

With the passing of the true millennium, Harlequin Historicals is putting on a fresh face! We hope you enjoyed our special inside front cover art from recent months. We plan to bring this wonderful “extra” to you every month! You may also have noticed our new branding—a maroon stripe that runs along the right side of the front cover. Hopefully, this will help you find our books more easily in the crowded marketplace. And thanks to those of you who participated in our reader survey. We truly appreciate the feedback you provided, which enables us to bring you more of the stories and authors that you like!

We have four terrific books for you this month. The talented Carolyn Davidson returns with a new Western, Maggie’s Beau, a tender tale of love between experienced rancher Beau Jackson—whom you might recognize from The Wedding Promise—and the young woman he finds hiding in his barn. Catherine Archer brings us her third medieval SEASONS’ BRIDES story, Summer’s Bride, an engaging romance about two willful nobles who finally succumb to a love they’ve long denied.

The Sea Nymph by bestselling author Ruth Langan marks the second book in the SIRENS OF THE SEA series. Here, a proper English lady, who is secretly a privateer, falls in love with a highwayman—only to learn he is really an earl and the richest man in Cornwall! And don’t miss Bride on the Run, an awesome new Western by Elizabeth Lane. True to the title, a woman fleeing from crooked lawmen becomes the mail-order bride of a sexy widower with two kids.

Enjoy! And come back again next month for four more choices of the best in historical romance.

Sincerely,

Tracy Farrell

Senior Editor

Summer’s Bride

Catherine Archer

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

Available from Harlequin Historicals and CATHERINE ARCHER

Rose Among Thorns #136

*Velvet Bond #282

*Velvet Touch #322

Lady Thorn #353

Lord Sin #379

Fire Song #426

†Winter’s Bride #477

†The Bride of Spring #514

†Summer’s Bride #544

*Velvet series

†Seasons’ Brides

This book is dedicated to God, with joy

and heartfelt gratitude for all things.

Contents

Chapter One (#ua11f7593-8daf-59af-a1b8-1acf16596cb4)

Chapter Two (#ueabe7192-a6bf-5a36-8fcb-bde5d6322d66)

Chapter Three (#u91c54648-9476-574c-afeb-05cc8ace99be)

Chapter Four (#uf514d59c-c366-50bb-ae1c-be561f712ea4)

Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter One

As his mount crested the last rise in the road, Marcel Ainsworth looked up. His gaze was unconsciously yearning as he watched the tip of the highest tower at Brackenmoore come into sight. Marcel viewed this first glimpse of home with both dread and longing.

Two years.