The Sleeping Beauty

The Sleeping Beauty
Jacqueline Navin

Lady Helena Rathford was still deemed a plum matrimonial prize, one adventurous Adam Mannion was determined to pluck. He'd wed her, bed her, then hie to London, his prospects secure. But somehow in the wild north country that spawned her, Helena became his whole world–now and forever…!The walls of her family estate kept her safe–or so Helena thought. Though it had been more entombment than embrace, for Adam Mannion, a rogue with an open heart, made her see she must shake off the shadows of the past to hold on to a future–with him!

She knew that look

She had once known the look of desire on a man’s face—on many men’s faces. But none of them had ever affected her like this.

Deep inside, some nether region of her innards rattled. Humming, vibrating, rattling—she couldn’t tell which. It felt wonderful, like silver threads of pleasure were woven throughout her body and being plucked by some unseen hand like an angel playing a harp.

She felt a bit dizzy all of a sudden. Her eyelids felt heavy.

“It is less than a fortnight when we will be man and wife,” Adam said thickly. He kept looking at her mouth, studying it intensely. Without seeming to move an inch, he somehow was closer. “Not long…”

“No. Soon.”

He was going to kiss her, and she could do nothing but stand there, frozen on the spot, and wait for the touch of his mouth….

The Sleeping Beauty

Harlequin Historical #578

Praise for Jacqueline Navin’s previous works

The Viking’s Heart

“THE VIKING’S HEART is a beautifully written medieval romance…an entertaining and emotional read.”

—The Romance Reader

A Rose at Midnight

“Nothing can prepare you for the pure love that flows from Ms. Navin’s writing. She gives warmth, humor, tears of joy…her books are gifts to be treasured.”

—Bell, Book and Candle

The Flower and the Sword

“…a touching tale of love’s ability to heal wounded souls.”

—Romantic Times Magazine

The Maiden and the Warrior

“Ms. Navin has captured the essence of the time and created a beautiful love story.”

—Rendezvous

#575 SHOTGUN GROOMS

Susan Mallery & Maureen Child

#576 THE MACKINTOSH BRIDE

Debra Lee Brown

#577 THE GUNSLINGER’S BRIDE

Cheryl St.John

The Sleeping Beauty

Jacqueline Navin

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

Available from Harlequin Historicals and

JACQUELINE NAVIN

The Maiden and the Warrior #403

The Flower and the Sword #428

A Rose at Midnight #447

Strathmere’s Bride #479

One Christmas Night #487

“A Wife for Christmas”

The Viking’s Heart #515

The Sleeping Beauty #578

To Kelly.

The year this book was written was a tough one for you and yet you have emerged from it with amazing benefit. I admire your courage, your fortitude, your poise, your sense of justice—just about everything about you (except your hairstyle

). You have made your dad and me proud and so very happy each and every day.

Contents

Chapter One (#u82dc4867-840f-5a4c-8b5b-1a673282bda8)

Chapter Two (#u74d94223-1d9f-51be-b0c2-5821539358bc)

Chapter Three (#u78688f3d-f8ce-5561-b94b-4201f9980154)