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After the crowning of Robert the Bruce, Sir James Douglas is sent to the Scottish borders to wreak havoc on those loyal to Edward of England. But his plans go wildly astray when Lady Ailish Maxwell’s brother is captured by her traitorous uncle. James has every intention of finding the lad but when Her Ladyship announces she’s joining the quest, he’s not about to let her go, no matter how beautiful her crystal eyes, or convincing her silver tongue.
And Ailish will not sit idle while her brother, the true heir to the Maxwell dynasty, is taken deeper into the enemy’s lair. After putting forth every ounce of reasoning she can muster, Sir James agrees to allow her to pose as his wife. But what she doesn’t count on is falling in love with the braw Highlander. And as they ride farther into enemy lands, they cannot ignore the intensity of the passion simmering between them—though it could very well destroy everything they have worked so hard to preserve.
Genre: FICTION / Romance / Historical / ScottishThis book is the first in The King's Outlaws series with strong initial sales in both print and ebook.
Chapter One
Scotland, 23 March 1306. The Road to Scone.
The orange glow of dawn skimmed tufts of striated clouds in the eastern sky. But James Douglas hardly noticed. Neither did he pay heed to the icy breeze cutting through his mail and the quilted weave of the aketon beneath. Even the chausses covering his thighs were stiff from the cold. Surely the skies threatened a late snow, though James preferred to be nowhere else this day.
From a ridge overlooking the Glasgow road, he sat atop a fine palfry, his breaths billowing a steamy grey. If only the horse were his and not a loan from Bishop Lamberton. But these were dark times and the name of Douglas had all but been smote from the nobility. One day, James intended to own a herd of gallant warhorses. Just as his father had before the wars.
Intently, he watched the road for movement. At last, his chance had come. And no matter how hot his impatient blood thrummed through his loins, he vowed to maintain his vigil and remain patient. Soon he would right the wrongs against his father and regain his lands.
And the time was nigh.
At last, a robust contender had come forward to claim the throne of Scotland, a man with cods enough to pull together this great nation and send the English back across the border once and for all. And James fully intended to be at the center of the maelstrom.
After daylight had spread across the glen, a flicker of metal caught James’ eye first, followed by the white blaze on the nose of a bay horse. He counted thirty riders creeping through the trees with a wagon and sentry in diamond formation at the rear. Not an impressive number for a king or even an earl, for that matter, but perhaps the small retinue would not attract as much attention as an army of five hundred or more.
Before he picked up his reins, James closed his eyes and turned his face to the heavens...
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Italian
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Already translated.
Translated by Pasquale Stigliano
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Portuguese
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Already translated.
Translated by Fernanda Gonçalves
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Author review: Fernanda was wonderful to work with and I will be contracting with her to publish the entire series! |
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Spanish
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Already translated.
Translated by Talía García
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Author review: Very timely translation! |
