“Wait!” Cailean leaped from his saddle and held out his hand to stop this. He realized now, possibly too late, that this was a bad idea. He didn’t know if Seth Menzie was guilty or not. He didn’t think he was. He had to stop Cutty. But the hired killer from the high north stepped behind the leader and swiped his hand across Menzie’s throat.
It was so quick Cailean’s mind didn’t finish taking it in when Menzie began to fall. Menzie landed at the feet of his small family.
His daughter’s soul-wrenching scream went up toward the heavens, then came down like an arrow straight into Cailean’s chest. Whatever shards were left of his heart were completely shattered. Time slowed as he watched her fall to her knees and drag her father into her arms, where he drew his last breath.
Dear God! What had they done? Cailean couldn’t breathe. He didn’t want to see any more but he couldn’t look away. He knew the pain that contorted her face and made her shriek from someplace so deep, even she seemed not to recognize it coming from her.
“No! No!” she cried, “Please, Papa, no!”
He did this to her. To Seth Menzie’s family.
Time sped up again and he mounted his horse and moved to stand in front of Duncan, blocking his path to the family.
“Yer faither will hear of this!” Cailean promised. “Unless we leave them alone. Get oot now. We’ve done enough. We were wrong to come here.”
Duncan gave in, realizing what he’d done. If these people didn’t farm, his father would lose an enormous amount of coin at the marketplace. Edward Murdoch wouldn’t be pleased, and Duncan didn’t want to be the cause of that. Heads would roll. Perhaps even his. He called to the men and immediately they turned for the mountain. Cailean lingered in the shadows watching the two women weeping over Menzie’s body. The rest of the villagers either wept or tried to help. Nobody could.
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Seduced by a Highlander
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Conquered by a Highlander
A Highlander for Christmas (e-novella)
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ACCLAIM FOR
PAULA QUINN’S NOVELS FEATURING THE MACGREGOR CLAN
The Scandalous Secret of Abigail MacGregor
“4½ stars! With its quick-moving plot, engaging characters, and historic backdrop, the latest installment of The MacGregors: Highland Heirs is a page-turner. Quinn twists and turns the tale, drawing readers in and holding them with her unforgettable characters’ love story.”
—RT Book Reviews
“A wonderful book… Paula Quinn has raised the bar even higher with this newest novel in the MacGregor saga.”
—NightOwlReviews.com
“I loved the enemy-turned-lovers theme that this story follows… the drama never stops!”
—HistoricalRomanceLover.blogspot.com
The Wicked Ways of Alexander Kidd
“Paula Quinn has done it again!… If there ever was a book that deserved more than five stars, then this one is it. I was absolutely captivated from start to finish.”
—NightOwlReviews.com
“The Scottish Highlands and a pirate ship provide the colorful setting for this well-written, exciting, and action-packed romance.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Vivid… Quinn’s steamy and well-constructed romance will appeal to fans and newcomers alike.”
—Publishers Weekly
The Seduction of Miss Amelia Bell
—NightOwlReviews.com
“Delicious… highly entertaining… a witty, sensual historical tale that will keep you glued to the pages… This beautifully written, fast-paced tale is a true delight.”
—RomanceJunkiesReviews.com
Conquered by a Highlander
“Rich, evocative historical detail and enthralling characters fill the pages of this fast-paced tale.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“What a conclusion to this fast-paced, adventure-filled story with characters that jump off the page and will capture your heart.”
—MyBookAddictionReviews.com
Tamed by a Highlander
“Top Pick! Quinn’s talents for weaving history with a sexy and seductive romance are showcased in her latest Highlander series book. This fast-paced tale of political intrigue populated by sensual characters with deeply rooted senses of honor and loyalty is spellbinding… Top-notch Highland romance!”
—RT Book Reviews
“A winning mix of fascinating history and lush romance… Readers will be captivated by the meticulously accurate historical detail.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Seduced by a Highlander
“Seduced by a Highlander is sparkling, sexy, and seductive! I couldn’t put it down!”
—Karen Hawkins, New York Times bestselling author
“Scottish romance at its very best! Deliciously romantic and sensual, Paula Quinn captures the heart of the Highlands in a tender, passionate romance that you won’t be able to put down.”
—Monica McCarty, New York Times bestselling author
Ravished by a Highlander
“Deftly combines historical fact and powerful romance… Quinn’s seamless prose and passionate storytelling will leave readers hungry for future installments.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“4½ Stars! Top Pick! An amazing love story where characters’ deep emotions and sense of honor for their countrymen will enchant readers.”
—RT Book Reviews
Fall in Love with Forever Romance
A BAD BOY FOR CHRISTMAS
by Jessica Lemmon
Connor McClain knows what he wants, but getting Faith Garrett into his arms this holiday is going to require more than mistletoe…
SNOWBOUND AT CHRISTMAS
by Debbie Mason
Grayson Alexander never thought being snowbound in Christmas, Colorado, for the holiday would get so hot. But between working with sexy, tough Cat O’Connor and keeping his real reason for being there under wraps, he’s definitely feeling the heat. And if there’s one thing they’ll learn as they bring out the mistletoe, it’s that in this town, true love is always in season…
UNWRAPPED
by Katie Lane
Contractor Patrick McPherson is deeply committed to his bachelor lifestyle. But as the Christmas season approaches, he still can’t quite forget his curvalicious onenight stand. Then Jacqueline shows up unexpectedly, and all holiday hell breaks loose. Because this year, Patrick is getting the biggest Christmas surprise of his life…
PLAYING DIRTY
by Tiffany Snow
In the second book in Tiffany Snow’s Risky Business series, Sage Reece must choose between bad-boy detective Dean Ryker and sexy power-player Parker Anderson. Caught between a mobster out for revenge and two men who were once best friends, Sage must play to win—even if it means getting dirty…
THE TAMING OF MALCOLM GRANT
by Paula Quinn
The beautiful and blind Emmaline Grey risks everything to nurse the mysterious Malcolm Grant back to health. But can she heal his broken heart too? Fans of Lynsay Sands, Karen Hawkins, and Monica McCarty will love the next book in Paula Quinn’s sinfully sexy Scottish Highlander series.
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Contents
Cover
Title Page
Welcome
MacGregor/Grant Family Tree
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Epilogue
A Preview of the next MacGregors: Highland Heirs novel
Also by Paula Quinn
Acclaim for Paula Quinn’s Novels Featuring the MacGregor Clan
Fall in Love with Forever Romance
Newsletters
Copyright
Copyright
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Copyright © 2015 by Paula Quinn
Excerpt from the next MacGregors: Highland Heirs novel copyright © 2015 by Paula Quinn
Cover art by Judy York
Hand lettering by Ron Zinn
Cover copyright © 2015 by Hachette Book Group, Inc.
All rights reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the publisher constitute unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained by contacting the publisher at permissions@hbgusa.com. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.
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ISBN 978-1-4555-1953-8
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