Border Bride

Border Bride
Deborah Hale

For Thirteen Years He'd Been A Wanderer…Now Con ap Ifan had returned, a tested warrior and a talented bard. But Enid of Glyneira remained unimpressed. No stolen kisses or honeyed promises that faded with the dawn could tempt her to abandon hearth, home and betrothed–not even for the father of her cherished firstborn son!Con wanted Enid more than words could tell. But could he dally with her, now a widow with children, forever? For though she'd always been his heart's melody, his soul's rhythm, he knew the siren song of the wider world might break their passion's bond!

“Will gold and glory warm your bed at night?

“Will they tend you when you’re ill, or weep for you when you die?”

Dumbstruck, Con struggled into his breeches, trying to think of something, anything he could say that might convince Enid to have him on his own terms.

For once it was her turn to have the final word.

“I think the world of you. I’d sooner have you for my husband than any lord or prince. If you thought half as highly of yourself as I think of you, you’d have nothing to prove to anyone.”

Without giving him a chance to reply, she closed the door of the wash house, plunging it once again into stifling darkness.

“I have nothing to prove.” Con tried to believe it, but the words rang false in his ears and the empty place inside him gaped wider than it ever had before….

Acclaim for Deborah Hale’s recent titles

THE WEDDING WAGER

“…this delightful, well-paced historical will leave readers smiling and satisfied.”

—Library Journal

THE ELUSIVE BRIDE

“…an absolute pleasure!”

—The Romance Reader Web site

THE BONNY BRIDE

“…high adventure!”

—Romantic Times

A GENTLEMAN OF SUBSTANCE

“This exceptional Regency-era romance includes all the best aspects of that genre….Deborah Hale has outdone herself…”

—Romantic Times

#620 BADLANDS LAW

Ruth Langan

#621 A PERILOUS ATTRACTION

Patricia Frances Rowell

#622 MARRIED BY MIDNIGHT

Judith Stacy

Border Bride

Deborah Hale

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

Available from Harlequin Historicals and

DEBORAH HALE

My Lord Protector #452

A Gentleman of Substance #488

The Bonny Bride #503

The Elusive Bride #539

The Wedding Wager #563

Whitefeather’s Woman #581

Carpetbagger’s Wife #595

The Love Match #599

“Cupid Goes to Gretna”

Border Bride #619

For my eldest son, Robert, the best birthday present I ever received, who more than deserves a dedication after eight books. Thanks for your patience, sweetheart!

Special thanks to Heidi Hamburg, who knew just what kind of woman Con ap Ifan needed.

Contents

Chapter One (#u5ac62df2-0d99-5117-8beb-2fdaa1156890)

Chapter Two (#u64c650e2-063e-5ef2-9af3-07ebeca5f63b)

Chapter Three (#uaeeb9d89-5528-50ed-b794-b4dacbb6d298)

Chapter Four (#u8a91c4d6-e39f-5476-afbe-fc07c25bda4b)