Hard-Hearted Highlander

Hard-Hearted Highlander
Julia London

An indomitable governess…a brooding Highlander…a forbidden affair…An ill-fated elopement cost English-born governess Bernadette Holly her reputation, her unsuitable lover and any chance of a future match. She has nothing left to fear—not even the bitter, dangerously handsome Scot due to marry her young charge. Naive wallflower Avaline is terrified to wed Rabbie Mackenzie, but if he sends her home, she will be ruined. Bernadette’s solution: convince Rabbie to get Avaline to cry off…while ignoring her own traitorous attraction to him.A forced engagement to an Englishwoman is a hard pill for any Scot to swallow. It's even worse when the fiancée in question is a delicate, foolish young miss—unlike her spirited, quick-witted governess. Sparring with Bernadette brings passion and light back to Rabbie’s life after the failed Jacobite uprising. His clan’s future depends upon his match to another, but how can any Highlander forsake a love that stirs his heart and soul?

An indomitable governess...a brooding Highlander...a forbidden affair...

An ill-fated elopement cost English-born governess Bernadette Holly her reputation, her unsuitable lover and any chance of a future match. She has nothing left to fear—not even the bitter, dangerously handsome Scot due to marry her young charge. Naive wallflower Avaline is terrified to wed Rabbie Mackenzie, but if he sends her home, she will be ruined. Bernadette’s solution: convince Rabbie to get Avaline to cry off...while ignoring her own traitorous attraction to him.

A forced engagement to an Englishwoman is a hard pill for any Scot to swallow. It’s even worse when the fiancée in question is a delicate, foolish young miss—unlike her spirited, quick-witted governess. Sparring with Bernadette brings passion and light back to Rabbie’s life after the failed Jacobite uprising. His clan’s future depends upon his match to another, but how can any Highlander forsake a love that stirs his heart and soul?

Praise for New York Times bestselling author Julia London

“Veteran author London entices readers.... Expert storytelling and believable characters make the romance between Arran and Margot come alive in this compelling novel packed with characters whom readers will be sad to leave behind.”

—Publishers Weekly on Wild Wicked Scot (starred review)

“London’s writing bubbles with high emotion... Her blend of playful humor and sincerity imbues her heroines with incredible appeal, and readers will delight as their unconventional tactics create rambling paths to happiness.”

—Publishers Weekly on The Devil Takes a Bride (starred review)

“This tale of scandal and passion is perfect for readers who like to see bad girls win, but still love the feeling of a society romance, and London nicely sets up future books starring Honor’s sisters.”

—Publishers Weekly on The Trouble with Honor

“The complexity of the relationship between Daisy and Cailean sets this novel apart from many in its genre.”

—Publishers Weekly on Sinful Scottish Laird

“Julia London writes vibrant, emotional stories and sexy, richly drawn characters.”

—New York Times bestselling author Madeline Hunter

Hard-Hearted Highlander

Julia London

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

To the Scottish Highlands, fueling the fantasies of readers for hundreds of years.

Contents

Cover (#u82b1be15-0831-5b37-a295-fd04e27b5ebe)

Back Cover Text (#u1ac21bc1-673b-5728-b074-305ea12a894a)

Praise (#ucc350232-a435-5a13-b5e0-ea0f1da622f2)

Title Page (#ucbd3e4b9-bd0d-5a55-8e58-7f4bc07c685b)

Dedication (#u2f94036f-b7de-5de1-bf76-93f6e83d119c)

Family Tree (#ub589f91a-a7cf-5e48-a306-847730ce1d92)

CHAPTER ONE (#u77c51c5f-07a5-54bd-af11-5519d2cb17a2)

CHAPTER TWO (#u67131bc5-a9f4-59be-a5f4-b96ca30cd75d)

CHAPTER THREE (#u0dcd544d-b6bc-51a1-a718-0b78857fd668)

CHAPTER FOUR (#u5ecc2f71-b55a-557b-9c3c-e1789a03a8bd)

CHAPTER FIVE (#ue764c358-2d66-552a-a69a-fce5d7053ff7)

CHAPTER SIX (#u9a1640d7-8fb3-5978-801b-df6a20e29d86)

CHAPTER SEVEN (#u99e2c5e7-52e7-50d6-a142-d6313a12365a)

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 FIFTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SIXTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER NINETEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER TWENTY (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE (#litres_trial_promo)