The Bride Of Spring

The Bride Of Spring
Catherine Archer

Lady Raine Had Need of a Husband…But not just any man would do. She required a man of honor to protect her young brother's inheritance. And from the moment she laid eyes upon Benedict Ainsworth at court, she knew her search was over. But her scheming had just begun….Entranced by Raine's breathtaking beauty, Benedict, Baron of Brackenmoore, would have moved heaven and earth for the intriguing lady. Though when she tricked him into a marriage of convenience, he was determined to make her his wife in more than name only…!

“My lord, we must converse on a most important matter.

“I would have you know that though we are wed and I am forced to accompany you to your lands…I do not intend to be your wife in any other sense.”

Benedict’s brows rose in shock. She had come right out and denied him her bed.

“You seek to send me from you?”

She bit her lip with uncertainty, but there was defiance in her eyes. “I do.”

He shook his head in disbelief. “You have no right to do so. I am your husband.”

“You will not be so lest you force me.”

He moved toward her, his anger a tight ball in his belly. “What makes you think I would force you?”

Her gaze widened. “I…I simply assumed…”

“I have never forced myself upon any woman—never had to.” His gaze raked her meaningfully.

Dear Reader,

Spring is in full bloom and marriage is on the minds of many. That’s why we’re celebrating marriage in each of our four outstanding Historicals romances this month!

We are delighted with the return of Catherine Archer, who captures the essence of our theme with The Bride of Spring, book two of her outstanding SEASONS’ BRIDES miniseries. Filled with emotion and wry humor, this medieval tale highlights intrepid heroine Raine Blanchett, who, realizing she must marry to protect her young brother, decides to have some say in the groom. She cleverly orchestrates a “forced” marriage, unaware that the man she has chosen, intriguing knight Benedict Ainsworth, will become her true love.

Another heroine who knows her mind is Lady Sara Fernstowe in Lyn Stone’s My Lady’s Choice, in which Sara determines to wed the semiconscious and oh-so-handsome warrior she’s just saved from near death. Award-winning author Cheryl Reavis brings us a powerful story about a second chance at love and marriage in The Captive Heart. Here, a British officer’s wife is imprisoned by her husband, but rescued by a Native American frontiersman.

And don’t miss Tanner Stakes His Claim, book two of Carolyn Davidson’s terrific EDGEWOOD, TEXAS miniseries. It’s a darling marriage-of-convenience tale between a squeaky-clean Texas sheriff and the amnesiac—and pregnant—saloon singer he can’t stop thinking about.

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

Sincerely,

Tracy Farrell,

Senior Editor

The Bride of Spring

Catherine Archer

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

Available from Harlequin Historicals and CATHERINE ARCHER

Rose Among Thorns #136

* (#litres_trial_promo) Velvet Bond #282

* (#litres_trial_promo) Velvet Touch #322

Lady Thorn #353

Lord Sin #379

Fire Song #426

† (#litres_trial_promo) Winter’s Bride #477

† (#litres_trial_promo) The Bride of Spring #514

This book is dedicated to all of my readers.

Thank you so much for your letters and for making it

possible for me to do the work I love.

Contents

Chapter One (#uba43afc0-cb15-50a9-ad35-2306d716048f)

Chapter Two (#ufb629b4c-2b11-5610-a9d5-e616e45abab6)

Chapter Three (#u36251836-9eb9-5ce9-999c-8e7c72854248)

Chapter Four (#u25325b8d-1f60-55a0-b06b-677d6a56cbbd)

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)