Charlotte Maclay - At The Rancher's Bidding

In her country, if a man discovered her masquerade, he would return her immediately to her brother for fear of political repercussions. The sheikh’s influence was powerful, and so was her intended groom’s.

Allie knew America was different and far from Munir. But Cord’s neighbors were conducting business with her brother Rafe; the Coleman family might urge Cord to send her home even if he didn’t wish to do so himself.

Men, it seemed to her, always stuck together.

Despite Cord’s suspicions, she dared not tell Cord the truth. Not yet. Not until she had no other choice.

Yet it was her own heart that troubled her the most. The yearning she had felt as Cord caressed her palms. Her desperate urge to place her lips on his.

To experience for the first time a man’s kiss…

Dear Reader,

Heartwarming, emotional, compelling…these are all words that describe Harlequin American Romance. Check out this month’s stellar selection of love stories, which are sure to please.

First, the BRIDES OF THE DESERT ROSE continuity series continues with At the Rancher’s Bidding by Charlotte Maclay. In the delightful story, a princess masquerades as her lady-in-waiting to save herself from an arranged marriage—and ends up falling for a rugged rancher.

Also available this month, bestselling author Judy Christenberry’s Randall Honor resumes her successful BRIDES FOR BROTHERS series about the Randall family of Wyoming. Although they’d shared a night of passion, Victoria Randall wasn’t in the market for a husband…and Dr. Jon Wilson had some serious romancing to do if he was going to get this Randall woman to love and honor him!

Next, when an heiress-in-disguise overhears a handsome executive bet his friend that he could win any woman—including her—she’s determined to teach him a lesson. Don’t miss Catching the Corporate Playboy by Michele Dunaway. And rounding out the month is Stranded at Cupid’s Hideaway, a wonderful reunion romance story from talented author Connie Lane, making her series romance debut.

Best,

Melissa Jeglinski

Associate Senior Editor

Harlequin American Romance

At the Rancher’s Bidding

Charlotte Maclay

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Charlotte Maclay can’t resist a happy ending. That’s why she’s had such fun writing more than twenty titles for Harlequin American Romance, Duets and Love & Laughter, plus several Silhouette Romance books, as well. Particularly well-known for her volunteer efforts in her hometown of Torrance, California, Charlotte says her philosophy is that you should make a difference in your community. She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, whom they are occasionally allowed to baby-sit. She loves to hear from readers and can be reached at P.O. Box 505, Torrance, CA 90508.

HARLEQUIN AMERICAN ROMANCE

474—THE VILLAIN’S LADY

488—A GHOSTLY AFFAIR

503—ELUSIVE TREASURE

532—MICHAEL’S MAGIC

537—THE KIDNAPPED BRIDE

566—HOW TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE

585—THE COWBOY & THE BELLY DANCER

620—THE BEWITCHING BACHELOR

643—WANTED: A DAD TO BRAG ABOUT

657—THE LITTLEST ANGEL

684—STEALING SAMANTHA

709—CATCHING A DADDY

728—A LITTLE BIT PREGNANT

743—THE HOG-TIED GROOM

766—DADDY’S LITTLE COWGIRL

788—DEPUTY DADDY

806—A DADDY FOR BECKY

821—THE RIGHT COWBOY’S BED*

825—IN A COWBOY’S EMBRACE*

886—BOLD AND BRAVE-HEARTED**

890—WITH VALOR AND DEVOTION**

894—BETWEEN HONOR AND DUTY**

915—WITH COURAGE AND COMMITMENT**

929—AT THE RANCHER’S BIDDING

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

She had one chance to experience freedom and a small taste of independence. She intended to seize that opportunity for as long as she could hold on to it.

The heat of summer pressing down on her, Princess Aliah Bahram hurried across the grounds of the Desert Rose Ranch, following her brother, Sheikh Ashraf. As she ran, the gold bracelets on her arm jingled and her necklaces moved against her throat.

The sheikh was making his daily visit to the Coleman stables to check on the mare pregnant with the foal he had agreed to purchase. Completely enamored by the award-winning Arabians raised here, he had haunted the ranch since their arrival in Bridle, Texas, which was located in the hill country northwest of Austin.

But tomorrow they would return to their own country of Munir, on the Persian Gulf. Aliah—or Allie, as people had begun to call her in America—could not bear the thought of going home. Not when faced with an arranged marriage to a man she could never love, Sardar Bin Douri. Even the thought sent a shudder of revulsion down her spine.

Her chance to avoid that fate had come yesterday when Leila, her lady-in-waiting, had lost control of her horse while they were riding together. Spooked by blowing dust, the animal had run away with her. A neighboring rancher, Cord Brannigan, had rescued her.

Saved Leila’s life!

Sometime during the night, Allie had realized she could take advantage of an ancient Munir custom to gain her liberation—at least temporarily. The possibility inspired her to action now.

“Rafe! Wait for me.”

Her brother, looking very distinguished in his white robe, white gutrah and black banded ogal, slowed near the outdoor riding ring and turned toward her. “What is it, Sister?”

Breathlessly, she came to a halt. “I was wondering if you had made the appropriate arrangements for Leila.”

He looked at her blankly. “Is there something wrong with her?”

“No, not at all. I simply assumed you would be honoring our ancient tradition.”

“Which tradition is that?”

“You do recall how the Colemans’ neighbor—” she hesitated, as though she couldn’t think of his name “—Brannigan, I believe he is called, rescued my lady-in-waiting.”

“I am sure she was grateful.”

“More than grateful, as we should be, too.”

Impatiently, he glanced over his shoulder toward the stables, then back to her. “Aliah, I don’t know what you are trying to say.”

In the name of Constantine, she was going to have to spell it out to her brother! Some days he was terribly dense. Perhaps all brothers were.

“Rafe, the man saved Leila’s life. In order to properly express our gratitude for saving a servant from sure death, we must present Leila to him as a gift. From this day forward, it is right and just that she belong to him.”