Caroline Burnes - Familiar Lullaby

“Are you here alone?”

Lily bit her bottom lip. “Yes,” she said. “I came out here for some privacy.”

Something in the way she lowered her gaze made Mel suspicious. Lily wasn’t a very good liar. Who was she protecting? His gaze drifted toward the stairs. He stood and walked that way.

Lily darted around him, blocking his path. “Unless you have a search warrant, you can’t go there,” she said.

She wasn’t backing off an inch, and he felt his estimation of her rise. She was a pain to deal with, but he liked the way she handled herself. Mel took a step closer.

Lily held her ground and looked up at him. Her eyes were an amazing swirl of color. He found himself unable to glance away.

When he finally did, it was down to her lips. They were full and generous and just slightly parted. Almost as if they were awaiting a…kiss.

Way back in his brain, a tiny voice told him he was insane, that he was committing professional suicide, that he was acting on an impulse he would regret.

He didn’t listen.

He lowered his lips slowly to hers.

Dear Harlequin Intrigue Reader,

All the evidence is in! And it would be a crime if you didn’t “Get Caught Reading” this May. So follow the clues to your favorite bookstore to pick up some great tips.

This month Harlequin Intrigue has the distinguished privilege of launching a brand-new Harlequin continuity series with three of our top authors. TRUEBLOOD, TEXAS is a story of family and fortitude set in the great Lone Star state. We are pleased to give you your first look into this compelling drama with Someone’s Baby by Dani Sinclair. Look for books from B.J. Daniels and Joanna Wayne to follow in the months ahead. You won’t want to miss even a single detail!

Your favorite feline detective is back in Familiar Lullaby by Caroline Burnes. This time, Familiar’s ladylove Clotilde gets in on the action when a baby is left on a high-society doorstep. Join a feisty reporter and a sexy detective as they search for the solution and find true love in this FEAR FAMILIAR mystery.

Our TOP SECRET BABIES promotion concludes this month with Conception Cover-Up by Karen Lawton Barrett. See how far a father will go to protect his unborn child and the woman he loves. Finally, Carly Bishop takes you out West for a showdown under a blaze of bullets in No One But You, the last installment in her LOVERS UNDER COVER trilogy.

So treat yourself to all four. You won’t be disappointed.

Sincerely,

Denise O’Sullivan

Associate Senior Editor

Harlequin Intrigue

Familiar Lullaby

Caroline Burnes

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Caroline Burnes continues her life as doorman and can opener for her six cats and three dogs. E.A. Poe, the prototype cat for Familiar, rules as king of the ranch, followed by his lieutenants, Miss Vesta, Gumbo, Chester, Maggie the Cat and Ash. The dogs, though a more lowly life form, are tolerated as foot soldiers by the cats. They are Sweetie Pie, Maybelline and Corky.

HARLEQUIN INTRIGUE

86—A DEADLY BREED

100—MEASURE OF DECEIT

115—PHANTOM FILLY

134—FEAR FAMILIAR*

154—THE JAGUAR’S EYE

186—DEADLY CURRENTS

204—FATAL INGREDIENTS

215—TOO FAMILIAR*

229—HOODWINKED

241—FLESH AND BLOOD

256—THRICE FAMILIAR*

267—CUTTING EDGE

277—SHADES OF FAMILIAR*

293—FAMILIAR REMEDY*

322—FAMILIAR TALE*

343—BEWITCHING FAMILIAR*

399—A CHRISTMAS KISS

409—MIDNIGHT PREY

426—FAMILIAR HEART*

452—FAMILIAR FIRE*

485—REMEMBER ME, COWBOY

502—FAMILIAR VALENTINE*

525—AFTER DARK

“Familiar Stranger”*

542—FAMILIAR CHRISTMAS*

554—TEXAS MIDNIGHT

570—FAMILIAR OBSESSION*

614—FAMILIAR LULLABY*

Familiar—When a mysterious basket arrive son the feline detective’s doorstep—and starts crying!—Familiar knows it’s time to go to work.

Clotilde—Familiar’s ladylove proves that a female kitty is always useful in times of crisis.

Lily Markey—The stubborn reporter will do what it takes to protect a mother and baby.

Mel Haskin—His past makes him doubly protective of an abandoned baby, and he knows Lily can help him solve the case—if she cooperates.

Susie Bishop—She made the ultimate sacrifice to save her baby.

Wayman Bishop—The mayor’s slick right-hand man has his fingers in a lot of pies.

Jim Lavert—When a cop turns bad, there’s nowhere to go but down.

Margie Lavert—Jim’s widow is very helpful. Too helpful?

Rose and Preston Johnson—The wealthy couple has everything—except the child they’ve always longed for.

Baby David—The cause of all the ruckus.

To all of Familiar’s fans, and especially to those who repeatedly asked to see more of Clotilde.

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

It’s a party! Orchestra, glittering gowns, laughter, the sparkle of jewels and conversation. In attendance, the crème de la crème of Washington society. Not to be a name-dropper, but there’s George Stephanopoulos. And over in the corner, another powerful pundit, George Will. Gads, none of the common reporter breed! And I see Senator Finances and the First Lady of Law and Order herself. Yes, Preston and Rose have created another successful power evening! Clotilde can be proud of her humanoids. I noticed earlier that the television vans were parked on the street. No working press invited tonight, but they’ll be eager to film who comes in and out of the party.

Power, prestige and purr-fectly prepared food—this is absolutely the setting for a few smooth moves and some hanky-panky from a swanky black feline. Speaking of beauteous kitties, where is Clotilde? I’m out on the veranda, picnic spread, waiting to woo my love with sumptuous tidbits I’ve purloined from the various buffet tables. And Clotilde keeps me waiting. Isn’t that just like a feline?

So I have a little time to recheck the menu. I have some smoked salmon with cream cheese spread and caviar. A little salty for my taste, but Clotilde loves it. Honestly, the way that caterer acted when he caught me snatching it off the table, you’d think it was gold bullion.

Now some escargots—yum. Fascinating what garlic and butter will do for a snail. A bit of beef, a sampling of roasted pork, some cheeses. I’d say I covered all the bases. As for dessert, that’s something I want to save for later, if you get my drift.