To Capture A Highlander's Heart: The Courtship

I recently finished the second half of my trilogy of short stories for To Capture A Highlander's Heart. THE COURTSHIP ended up being a novella just a few words shy of 20,000 words. It will be out in a few weeks. But I wanted to share the cover for the story, and the blurb, and give you a small excerpt to wet your appetite.

THE BLURB:

When lady’s maid Grace MacNab captures the eye of fierce warrior, Gabriel Campbell, the man she has loved for more than a year, she hopes she may one day wed the man of her dreams. But Grace holds a secret about her past that may stand in the way of their happiness.

Gabriel Campbell desires Grace with a passion just as fierce as his loyalty to the Campbell Clan, but she wants marriage and he’s not ready to lay down his sword to raise babies. Gabriel can’t reject Grace’s love and hurt the woman who’s penetrated his defenses, but neither can he dishonor her with less than a commitment.

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Can trust end their doubts and seal their love?

AN EXCERPT: 

(THIS IS AN UNEDITED PREVIEW)
 

His features relaxed. He sat on the stone hearth and rubbed a hand over his beard-covered jaw. His knuckles were red and swollen from the fight earlier. His hair, still wet, hung against his cheeks. Mud splattered his boots and the knees of his trews. Yet, he made no move to see to his own needs.

A wave of tenderness drove Grace to retrieve the washbowl from the small table, and returning to the fireplace, she poured some of the hot water from the pot on the hearth into it. “Come sit at the table and put your hands into the water, Gabriel. ‘Twill ease the soreness and the swelling.”

His gaze wove its way from her bare feet, over her calves then upward. With every inch, her breath caught and her mouth grew dry. A sweet ache blossomed in the secret parts of her body. He rose to his feet and the feeling increased. By the time he reached the table, her body clamored for his touch.

His fingers brushed the hem of the shirt she wore. Her knee tingled at the closeness of his fingers though he never made contact. It took all her control to remain motionless though the desire to be closer threatened to overwhelm her.

“You are a sweet sight, Grace. A temptation t’ me.” Gabriel’s voice was soft and husky. “‘Twould be best for us both should you dress while I am thus distracted.”

Warmth surged into her face and she nodded. She limped to the bed and found her shift. What would it be like to have a man, with so kind a nature, share her body? She saw the glow on Lady Mary’s face when Lord Alexander was near. Their public expressions of affection were few, but she had observed the way his hand lingered at her waist when they walked together. How he cupped her shoulder when he rested his arm on the back of her chair. In his conduct, his love for her was there for all to see.

‘Tis that and more I want. But how can I get it? And what is it they share that brings such a light to their eyes?

Grace drew the shirt up over her head and dropped it upon the bed. She glanced over her shoulder. Gabriel would not dishonor her by looking, but the tense set of his shoulders told her he wanted to.
She smiled. How would she feel if he saw her like this?

Warmth flooded her body and the intimate taunting need he inspired intensified. Such new and wondrous feelings set her hands to shaking and made them clumsy as she slipped her shift on over her head, then her kirtle. Her skin felt tight, the fabric rough against it. When she tugged her surcoat into place she, for the first time, realized how restricting clothing could be.

I hope you enjoyed this excerpt!! I'll keep you posted on the release of TO CAPTURE THE HIGHLANDER'S HEART: THE COURTSHIP. Coming in the next few weeks.


TERESA REASOR