The Earl's Secret

The Earl's Secret
Terri Brisbin

Indulge your fantasies of delicious Regency Rakes, fierce Viking warriors and rugged Highlanders. Be swept away into a world of intense passion, lavish settings and romance that burns brightly through the centuriesThe Earl of Treybourne was not going to lose a public argument with a petty, scribbling journalist. So he headed for Edinburgh, disguising himself as plain Mr. Archer, eager to discover the anonymous writer. A flawless plan, until he found himself distracted by the beautiful Miss Anna Fairchild. A bluestocking long on the shelf, Anna had no desire for a husband. But she felt a strange kinship with the dashing—and enigmatic—gentleman.With secrets to hide herself, Anna was playing a dangerous game that could threaten their tenuous bond. Caught between deception and desire, could love flourish?

“Are you well, Miss Fairchild?”

Her lack of control brought him closer and Anna found herself tugged into the shadows where he stood. He leaned his head down, and for a moment she thought he might try to kiss her.

She hoped.

She prayed.

She tried to clear her mind of whatever bewitching spell he was placing on her.

“If you are to swoon, Miss Fairchild, let it be over something pleasant like this, and not over that boring old Lord Treybourne.”

She began to laugh, but his kiss covered the sound of it. He touched his lips to hers softly at first and then with a bit more persistence. He tasted of something mint. Then, as quickly as he had begun, Mr. David Archer stepped away.

Anna could form no words to speak after that experience. She was fully aware that his behavior had been too forward and that she should reprimand him. The problem was that in her heart of hearts she would welcome his mouth on hers again.

And again.

The Earl’s Secret

Harlequin

Historical #831

Praise for Terri Brisbin

Taming the Highlander

“Ms. Brisbin makes her characters come alive. Pick up Taming the Highlander for a passionate and thrilling trip back in time.”

—Romance Reviews Today

The Maid of Lorne

“With her usual superb sense of characterization and exceptional gift for creating sizzling sexual chemistry, Brisbin fashions a splendidly satisfying medieval historical.”

—Booklist

“Ms. Brisbin once again delivers marvelously a tale rich in action and passion!”

—Historical Romance Writers

The Duchess’s Next Husband

“This is a quintessential tale of both love and emotional growth—in other words, the perfect romance.”

—The Best Reviews

The King’s Mistress

“[Brisbin’s] bold, vivid writing beautifully captures the flavor of medieval castle life and the intrigue-rich Plantagenet court. Passionate and romantic, The King’s Mistress is a rare delight.”

—Booklist

The Earl’s Secret

Terri Brisbin

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

Available from Harlequin

Historical and TERRI BRISBIN

The Dumont Bride #634

The Norman’s Bride #696

The Countess Bride #707

The Christmas Visit #727

“Love at First Step”

The King’s Mistress #735

The Betrothal #749

“The Claiming of Lady Joanna”

The Duchess’s Next Husband #751

The Maid of Lorne #786

Taming the Highlander #807

The Earl’s Secret #831

The idea for this story came about while I was listening to a panel of librarians at a Romance Writers of America conference in Denver a few years ago. They painted such a vivid picture of the early history of book reviews that I thought—hmmm, there’s a story here. Not long after that, while watching some old romantic comedies that involved secret identities, hidden agendas and love, I began to plan out that story.

My thanks to John Charles, Shelley Mosely and Kristin Ramsdell for their inspiration for this story and for their ongoing support of the romance genre and its authors.

Contents

Chapter One