A Rose At Midnight

A Rose At Midnight
Sylvie Kurtz

THE PRICE OF PASSIONNine years ago, Christiane Lawrence surrendered her innocence to the mysterious young Daniel Moreau. Even after he left her without warning, the memory of his lovemaking haunted her. And as the child he left in her womb grew, she wondered who he'd really been–and why she felt an uneasy presence always by her side….Daniel had been working for the devil–a madman with an evil obsession for Christiane. He'd left Christi to keep her safe, but he had only intensified the devil's desire. Now Daniel's redemption was at hand. But he'd have to convince Christi he loved her before midnight of Mardi Gras, for there was only a week to go before the devil exacted his bloody price.

“I can protect you. I can give you security. I can give you the world.”

“But not your love.” She no longer seemed to feel anything—not the room’s cold air, not the fire in her stomach, not the feelings that should be ripping through her like a tornado.

“There are more solid things between a man and a woman than useless feelings.”

“Like what?” Could Daniel have forgotten the passion they’d once shared?

“Like the things you say you want, Christiane. Family, roots, security.”

Her voice could not climb up her throat. A tiny sound echoed inside her like a wounded cry. She checked her cheeks with a quick flick of her hand to make sure no moisture stained them, betraying the ease with which he could tear open old wounds.

“Trust me.” He said the words so softly, she had to strain to catch them. Their gazes met and held. His weighty sadness mixed with hers and wove a bond of regret for all that might have been, all that could never be.

“The last time I trusted you,” she blurted out, “I ended up pregnant.”

Dear Harlequin Intrigue Reader,

As we ring in a new year, we have another great month of mystery and suspense coupled with steamy passion.

Here are some juicy highlights from our six-book lineup:

• Julie Miller launches a new series, THE PRECINCT, beginning with Partner-Protector. These books revolve around the rugged Fourth Precinct lawmen of Kansas City whom you first fell in love with in the TAYLOR CLAN series!

• Rocky Mountain Mystery marks the beginning of Cassie Miles’s riveting new trilogy, COLORADO CRIME CONSULTANTS, about a network of private citizens who volunteer their expertise in solving criminal investigations.

• Those popular TOP SECRET BABIES return to our lineup for the next four months!

• Gothic-inspired tales continue in our spine-tingling ECLIPSE promotion.

And don’t forget to look for Debra Webb’s special Signature Spotlight title this month: Dying To Play.

Hopefully we’ve whetted your appetite for January’s thrilling lineup. And be sure to check back every month to satisfy your craving for outstanding suspense reading.

Enjoy!

Denise O’Sullivan

Senior Editor

Harlequin Intrigue

A Rose at Midnight

Sylvie Kurtz

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

Pour Maman et Papa—avec amour.

and

For Linda Kruger and Denise O’Sullivan—with appreciation.

Author’s Note

Some of the dates, location and order of events of the Carnaval were altered to suit story purposes. The tale of Rose Latulippe is one I remember from my childhood—the most vivid version being the one from a children’s program called Franfreluche.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Flying an eight-hour solo cross-country in a Piper Arrow with only the airplane’s crackling radio and a large bag of M&M’s for company, Sylvie Kurtz realized a pilot’s life wasn’t for her. The stories zooming in and out of her mind proved more entertaining than the flight itself. Not a quitter, she finished her pilot’s course and earned her commercial license and instrument rating.

Since then, she has traded in her wings for a keyboard where she lets her imagination soar to create fictional adventures that explore the power of love and the thrill of suspense. When not writing, she enjoys the outdoors with her husband and two children, quilt-making, photography and reading whatever catches her interest.

You can write to Sylvie at

P.O. Box 702, Milford, NH 03055.

And visit her Web site at www.sylviekurtz.com.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Christiane Lawrence—She’s seeking roots in her history. She’s finding a whole lot more.

Daniel Moreau—He can speak with his music—words come much harder.

Rosane Lawrence—She’s the daughter Daniel tried to protect.

Armand Langelier—His obsession brought them all together.

Marguerite Langelier—The years have etched resentment on her face.

Caroline Lawrence—She’s the one mistake Armand has allowed himself.

Francine Beaulieu—She’s the curious next-door neighbor.

Jean-Paul Dubuc—He’s Daniel’s bulldog manager. He shaped Daniel’s career, and he won’t let Daniel lose his star status over a woman.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three