Susan Wiggs - The Maiden of Ireland

#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs sweeps readers away to the misty coast of Ireland in an irresistible tale of falling in love with the enemy…

John Wesley Hawkins was condemned to hang, accused of treason and heresy. As he’s transported to the scaffold at Tyburn, however, the Lord Protector steps in and offers him the hand of mercy—if Wesley agrees to travel to Ireland on a dangerous mission into the heart of the Irish resistance against English rule. He’ll have to seduce the rebels’ secrets from a headstrong Irishwoman, but that shouldn’t be a problem for a man of Wesley’s reputation….

Caitlin MacBride is mistress of the beleaguered Irish castle Clonmuir, and she makes no secret of her loyalty to her countrymen. She’s determined to remain strong for her people, but a wish for true love one evening at sunset yields the one thing that may sway her resolve. When Wesley walks out of the mist that fateful night, Caitlin’s faith in the magic of Ireland is briefly restored—until she discovers he’s one of the treacherous Englishmen she has spent her life fighting against.

Praise for the novels of Susan Wiggs Praise Booklist Title Page Prologue One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight Nine Ten Eleven Twelve Thirteen Fourteen Fifteen Sixteen Seventeen Eighteen Nineteen Afterword Extract Copyright

“A classic beauty-and-the-beast love story that will stay in your heart long after you’ve turned the last page.”

—New York Times bestselling author Kristin Hannah on The Lightkeeper

“Wiggs has a knack for creating engaging characters, and her energetic prose shines through the pages.”

—Publishers Weekly on Enchanted Afternoon

“Susan Wiggs delves deeply into her characters’ hearts and motivations to touch our own.”

—RT Book Reviews on The Mistress

“[Wiggs] has created a quiet page-turner that will hold readers spellbound as the relationships, characters and story unfold. Fans of historical romances will naturally flock to this skillfully executed [Chicago Fire] trilogy.”

—Publishers Weekly on The Firebrand

Also by SUSAN WIGGS Booklist Title Page Prologue One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight Nine Ten Eleven Twelve Thirteen Fourteen Fifteen Sixteen Seventeen Eighteen Nineteen Afterword Extract Copyright

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCES

Home Before Dark

The Ocean Between Us

Summer by the Sea

Table for Five

Lakeside Cottage

Just Breathe

The Goodbye Quilt

The Lakeshore Chronicles

Summer at Willow Lake

The Winter Lodge

Dockside

Snowfall at Willow Lake

Fireside

Lakeshore Christmas

The Summer Hideaway

Marrying Daisy Bellamy

Return to Willow Lake

Candlelight Christmas

The Bella Vista Chronicles

The Apple Orchard

The Beekeeper’s Ball

HISTORICAL ROMANCES

The Lightkeeper

The Drifter

The Mistress of Normandy

The Tudor Rose Trilogy

At the King’s Command

The Maiden’s Hand

At the Queen’s Summons

Chicago Fire Trilogy

The Hostage

The Mistress

The Firebrand

Calhoun Chronicles

The Charm School

The Horsemaster’s Daughter

Halfway to Heaven

Enchanted Afternoon

A Summer Affair

The Maiden of Ireland

Susan Wiggs

Refreshed version of THE MIST AND THE MAGIC,

newly revised by author

www.mirabooks.co.uk

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text #1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs sweeps readers away to the misty coast of Ireland in an irresistible tale of falling in love with the enemy… John Wesley Hawkins was condemned to hang, accused of treason and heresy. As he’s transported to the scaffold at Tyburn, however, the Lord Protector steps in and offers him the hand of mercy—if Wesley agrees to travel to Ireland on a dangerous mission into the heart of the Irish resistance against English rule. He’ll have to seduce the rebels’ secrets from a headstrong Irishwoman, but that shouldn’t be a problem for a man of Wesley’s reputation…. Caitlin MacBride is mistress of the beleaguered Irish castle Clonmuir, and she makes no secret of her loyalty to her countrymen. She’s determined to remain strong for her people, but a wish for true love one evening at sunset yields the one thing that may sway her resolve. When Wesley walks out of the mist that fateful night, Caitlin’s faith in the magic of Ireland is briefly restored—until she discovers he’s one of the treacherous Englishmen she has spent her life fighting against.

Praise Praise for the novels of Susan Wiggs Praise Booklist Title Page Prologue One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight Nine Ten Eleven Twelve Thirteen Fourteen Fifteen Sixteen Seventeen Eighteen Nineteen Afterword Extract Copyright “A classic beauty-and-the-beast love story that will stay in your heart long after you’ve turned the last page.” —New York Times bestselling author Kristin Hannah on The Lightkeeper “Wiggs has a knack for creating engaging characters, and her energetic prose shines through the pages.” —Publishers Weekly on Enchanted Afternoon “Susan Wiggs delves deeply into her characters’ hearts and motivations to touch our own.” —RT Book Reviews on The Mistress “[Wiggs] has created a quiet page-turner that will hold readers spellbound as the relationships, characters and story unfold. Fans of historical romances will naturally flock to this skillfully executed [Chicago Fire] trilogy.” —Publishers Weekly on The Firebrand

Booklist Also by SUSAN WIGGS Booklist Title Page Prologue One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight Nine Ten Eleven Twelve Thirteen Fourteen Fifteen Sixteen Seventeen Eighteen Nineteen Afterword Extract Copyright CONTEMPORARY ROMANCES Home Before Dark The Ocean Between Us Summer by the Sea Table for Five Lakeside Cottage Just Breathe The Goodbye Quilt The Lakeshore Chronicles Summer at Willow Lake The Winter Lodge Dockside Snowfall at Willow Lake Fireside Lakeshore Christmas The Summer Hideaway Marrying Daisy Bellamy Return to Willow Lake Candlelight Christmas The Bella Vista Chronicles The Apple Orchard The Beekeeper’s Ball HISTORICAL ROMANCES The Lightkeeper The Drifter The Mistress of Normandy The Tudor Rose Trilogy At the King’s Command The Maiden’s Hand At the Queen’s Summons Chicago Fire Trilogy The Hostage The Mistress The Firebrand Calhoun Chronicles The Charm School The Horsemaster’s Daughter Halfway to Heaven Enchanted Afternoon A Summer Affair

Title Page The Maiden of Ireland Susan Wiggs Refreshed version of THE MIST AND THE MAGIC, newly revised by author www.mirabooks.co.uk

Prologue

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

Thirteen

Fourteen

Fifteen

Sixteen

Seventeen

Eighteen

Nineteen

Afterword

Extract

Copyright

Prologue

Tyburn Hill, 1658

The executioner wondered why so many women had come to watch the priest die. Were the ladies of London so bored, then, that the spectacle of a poor wretch being tortured to death lured them from their bowers?

Thaddeus Bull scratched his head through his black hangman’s hood. He had never understood the fascination of the Londoners. Give him a pint of ale, a joint of mutton and a smiling maid; that was all the entertainment he needed.

Strangely, these women represented every layer of society. Masked noble ladies in boxy coaches held pomander balls to their noses. Country maids in faded dresses moved their lips in silent prayer. Tradeswomen and merchants’ wives whispered behind their hands.