The Quest

The Quest
Lyn Stone

Victim of an abusive marriage, Iana vowed in her widowhood never again to put her fate in masculine hands. But one man, Henri Gillet, heir to the Trouville dynasty, had aroused her slumbering desires–and endangered her deepest resolve.Love, Henri Gillet pondered, was simple. Noble obligations were not. And now he faced a royal-size dilemma–for though the Lady Iana had saved him from certain death, her shadowed past, so full of the darkest secrets, stood between them and threatened a future together…!

The sight of his muscles shining with sweat shot a hot tingle of appreciation right down the middle of her

For an instant she could not tear her gaze away.

His soft chuckle warned her that he had noticed her fascination. Iana immediately shut her eyes, cursing herself for her wayward thoughts. She ignored his offer of assistance.

When she dared to look again, he had retreated to the edge of the water and begun wading in, his back to her. With a will of their own, her eyes immediately focused upon his uncovered nether cheeks. “Och, my sweet lord,” she breathed in absolute awe.

“Oui?” He looked over his left shoulder and raised one dark brow. “Qu’est-ce que c’est?”

What is it? he asks. Iana scoffed. Lust is what it was. Pure, unadulterated lust. And she should be ashamed of herself…!

Acclaim for Lyn Stone’s recent titles

The Highland Wife

“…laced with lovable characters, witty dialogue, humor and poignancy, this is a tale to savor.”

—Romantic Times Magazine

Bride of Trouville

“I could not stop reading this one…Don’t miss this winner!”

—Affaire de Coeur

The Knight’s Bride

“Stone has done herself proud with this delightful story…a cast of endearing characters and a fresh, innovative plot.”

—Publishers Weekly

#587 THE PRISONER BRIDE

Susan Spencer Paul

#589 THE MAIL-ORDER BRIDES

Bronwyn Williams

#590 SARA AND THE ROGUE

DeLoras Scott

The Quest

Lyn Stone

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

Available from Harlequin Historicals and

LYN STONE

The Wicked Truth #358

The Arrangement #389

The Wilder Wedding #413

The Knight’s Bride #445

Bride of Trouville #467

One Christmas Night #487

“Ian’s Gift”

My Lady’s Choice #511

The Highland Wife #551

The Quest #588

Other works include:

Silhouette Intimate Moments

Beauty and the Badge #952

Live-In Lover #1055

This book is dedicated to those independent “Cato Girls,” Louise Pope, Mary Dunlap and Ruth Mimms, my mom and my aunts. Also to the heroic “Cato boys,” Earl, Green and Walt.

Equally as dear and deserving are my dad, Harlen Perkins, my stepfather, Preston Pope, and my uncles and aunts by marriage, Raiford Dunlap, Calvin Mimms, Corinne, Alice and Jolene Cato.

I thank you all for the invaluable lessons you have taught me through advice and example. How else would I have recognized love when I found it?

Contents

Chapter One (#u6b9e16e1-0d0b-570e-976a-61401e3e5883)

Chapter Two (#udb5259dd-f82e-59a7-86c8-74a0134f0302)

Chapter Three (#u9605581b-46c7-5ca2-9781-23b507a79527)