Amanda Scott (37 page)

The riders were still coming at speed, too fast for safety. Was their leader mad, or just drunk on the hope that he was not yet too late?

Villagers scattered as the riders bore down on the steps of the kirk. Sorcha moved aside, but she saw that Adela stayed where she was, her mouth open. Ardelve put his hands on his hips and glowered fiercely at the interruption, but he, too, showed no inclination to move. Clearly, he thought no more of the interruption than that some tardy wedding guests were making a scene.

Turning back to watch, Sorcha saw that all four riders were masked. A prickling of unease stirred as three of them reined in their horses near the villagers, making the animals rear, forcing folks back even farther. As they did that, the leader urged his horse right up to the steps.

Sorcha continued to smile, trying to catch the rider’s eye, but he had eyes only for Adela, who stepped toward him as if she expected him to speak to her. Instead, he leaned near her, stretched out an arm, and as if she weighed no more than a feather pillow, swept her up and wheeled his horse away from the kirk.

Astonished at such a show of strength, Sorcha let her mouth fall open.

One or two people in the small crowd cheered, others looked stupefied, as the four horsemen rode off with their prize.

THE EDITOR’S DIARY

Dear Reader
,

Ever meet a tall, dark and sexy stranger and see your destiny? Open those peepers a little bit wider. You won’t want to miss a single word or a smoldering gaze from our two Warner Forever titles this November.

To Lady Isobel Macleod from
Amanda Scott’s PRINCE OF DANGER
, marriage is a prison and husbands merely irritating encumbrances. Her domineering father and ferocious brother-in-law have proven as much to her. But when she comes upon Sir Michael St. Clair being savagely beaten by vicious strangers, she flies to the lone knight’s defense, helps him escape, and flees with him into the rugged Highlands and beyond to Scotland’s misty Isles. Alone under the stars with the man whose tenderness astonishes her, Isobel ponders her long-held prejudices. But as their relentless enemy pursues them, she faces a new danger—surrendering her freedom to this fearless yet gentle man . . . and linking her fate to the mysterious treasure that stirs mankind’s greed and imagination to this very day.
Affaire de Coeur
raves “Amanda Scott is a master.” This one is her best yet, so pick up a copy today.

Do you ever crave stability not passion? Kate Anderson from
Candy Halliday’s MR. DESTINY
can relate. She’s always wanted a stable marriage to a corporate attorney—no earth-shaking passion necessary. And she’s finally found it. Never mind that their sex life consists of discussions in his therapist’s office. But when a tall, dark and sexy patrol cop takes one look at her in Central Park and announces that he’s her destiny, Kate just laughs. Officer Anthony Petrocelli’s grandmother has always told him he would meet a beautiful blond with green eyes in Central Park when he was thirty-six and marry her. Now that he’s met that stunning blond in the Park while thirty-six, he can’t help but laugh. He wants to take Kate home to his family and disprove their silly prediction and Kate agrees. But after a little time with Anthony, sensible Kate can’t help but wonder if stability is overrated. Maybe an unpredictable cop is just what she never knew she needed. RomanceReviewsMag.com raves Candy Halliday’s last book was “fun . . . good reading and plenty of hot sex. What more can a woman ask for?”

To find out more about Warner Forever, these titles, and the authors, visit us at
www.warnerforever.com
.

With warmest wishes,

Karen Kosztolnyik, Senior Editor

P.S. With a dash of magic and spoonful of spice, next month’s books will be twice as nice: Shari Anton weaves the enchanting and passionate tale of two headstrong lovers at cross purposes brought together by a spell fashioned centuries ago in MIDNIGHT MAGIC; and Kelley St.John delivers the steamy and hilarious story of a woman who creates alibis for a living and the sexy childhood friend she can’t bear to come clean to in GOOD GIRLS DON’T.