Scarlet Vows

Scarlet Vows
Dani Sinclair

THE MAN FROM HER PAST Struggling waitress Brie Dudley had managed to keep the identity of her daughter's father a secret for years. Until wealthy, powerful Drew Pierce came back to Moriah's Landing. With one glance, Drew saw what the town hadn't–his own eyes staring back from his daughter's innocent face. And primitive instinct warned him to stake his claim on mother and child….Brie had dreamed about marrying Drew, but now the vows they made were of necessity, not love. Or were they? With a storm of scandal brewing, news of their daughter had provoked a deadly enemy. Together they could keep her safe–but only if they shared the secrets in their hearts….

He wasn’t supposed to be here. Not in the diner. This was her part of town!

“Brie?”

In her fantasies, they met one day in Salem or Boston or some other big city where she was a respected businesswoman. She would, of course, be perfectly dressed and not at all troubled by the sight of the only man she had ever loved. In reality, she couldn’t utter a word.

“What are you doing here?” he asked.

His incredulous expression made it a whole lot easier to swallow the emotions churning inside her. She sensed his pity, and that steadied her. Conscious of the roomful of people, she settled for a terse reply.

“I work here. What are you doing? Out slumming?”

Again fluttered unspoken in the heavy air.

His eyes narrowed. She couldn’t help but notice his thick black lashes, tipped with gold—just like their daughter’s.

Dear Harlequin Intrigue Reader,

We’ve got another explosive lineup of four thrilling titles for you this month. Like you’d expect anything less of Harlequin Intrigue—the line for breathtaking romantic suspense.

Sylvie Kurtz returns to east Texas in Red Thunder Reckoning to conclude her emotional story of the Makepeace brothers in her two-book FLESH AND BLOOD series. Dani Sinclair takes Scarlet Vows in the third title of our modern Gothic continuity, MORIAH’S LANDING. Next month you can catch Joanna Wayne’s exciting series resolution in Behind the Veil.

The agents at Debra Webb’s COLBY AGENCY are taking appointments this month—fortunately for one woman who’s in serious jeopardy. But with a heartthrob Latino bodyguard for protection, it’s uncertain who poses the most danger—the killer or her Personal Protector.

Finally, in a truly innovative story, Rita Herron brings us to NIGHTHAWK ISLAND. When one woman’s hearing is restored by an experimental surgery, she’s awakened to the sound of murder in Silent Surrender. But only one hardened detective believes her. And only he can guard her from certain death.

So don’t forget to pick up all four for a complete reading experience. Enjoy!

Sincerely,

Denise O’Sullivan

Associate Senior Editor

Harlequin Intrigue

Scarlet Vows

Dani Sinclair

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

Special thanks and acknowledgment

are given to Dani Sinclair for her contribution

to the MORIAH’S LANDING series.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

An avid reader, Dani Sinclair didn’t discover romance novels until her mother lent her one when she’d come for a visit. Dani’s been hooked on the genre ever since. But she didn’t take up writing seriously until her two sons were grown. Since the premiere of Mystery Baby for Harlequin Intrigue in 1996, Dani’s kept her computer busy. Her third novel, Better Watch Out, was a RITA

Award finalist in 1998. Dani lives outside Washington, D.C., a place she’s found to be a great source for both intrigue and humor!

You can write to her in care of the Harlequin Reader Service.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Andrew “Drew” Pierce—He had no idea his decision to run for mayor would have so many consequences.

Brianna “Brie” Dudley—Her daughter’s no secret, but the father is.

Nancy Bell—She planned to be more than Drew’s publicist.

Dr. David Bryson—Drew blames the reclusive scientist for the death of his sister.

Claire Cavendish—Has the person who kidnapped and tortured her five years ago returned?

Nicole Dudley—Brianna’s three-year-old daughter truly is a little witch.

Carey Eldrich—Drew’s best friend and fiercest competitor loves women, but did he love one to death?

McFarland Leary—He may be dead, but he’s far from forgotten.

Dr. Leland Manning—The geneticist is called a vampire behind his back.

Ursula Manning—Leland’s much younger wife set everything in motion with her shocking death.

Geoffrey Pierce—Drew’s uncle feels unappreciated by his peers, but he plans to change all that with his secretive research.

Edgar “Razz” Razmuesson—Razz and his friend Dodie are probably behind a lot of the mischief in Moriah’s Landing, but how far is he willing to go for money and a little revenge?

Frederick Thane—Is the current mayor intending to keep his position at any cost?

My thanks to Priscilla Berthiaume for the concept;

to Denise O’Sullivan for allowing me to participate;

to my fellow writers for their efforts to make

it all gel; to Officers Kelly Flannigan, Melissa Parlon

and Gary Sommers, whose information and instruction

were terrific; to Susan King and Mary McGowan for