Tori Phillips - Midsummer's Knight

Praise for Tori Phillips’ previous books

SILENT KNIGHT

“Superb, magnificent, marvelous, woderful and electrifying are only a few of the adjectives to describe this book.”

—Rendezvous

FOLL’S PARADISE

“A delightful Elizabethan romp.”

—Ruth Ryan Langan

“A great read!”

—Dixie Browning

“A delight to read...charming.”

—Suzanne Barclay

“...packed with love, adventure, history...I enjoyed it immensely.”

—Rebecca Hagan Lee

“I loved this story!...Tarleton (the hero) is pure magic!”

—Martha Hix

Praise for Tori Phillips’ previous books Praise for Tori Phillips’ previous books SILENT KNIGHT “Superb, magnificent, marvelous, woderful and electrifying are only a few of the adjectives to describe this book.” —Rendezvous FOLL’S PARADISE “A delightful Elizabethan romp.” —Ruth Ryan Langan “A great read!” —Dixie Browning “A delight to read...charming.” —Suzanne Barclay “...packed with love, adventure, history...I enjoyed it immensely.” —Rebecca Hagan Lee “I loved this story!...Tarleton (the hero) is pure magic!” —Martha Hix “What do I owe you this time?” he murmured. “What do I owe you this time?” he murmured. “The golden ribbon from your left sleeve, to match the others I have already won,” Kat replied with a smile. “If we continue, all my clothes will fall to your feet” Untying the satin ribbon, he held it out to her. “You would not wish to see me so...at one with nature, would you?” he murmured as he drew closer still. The idea of him standing stark naked before her both startled and fascinated Kat. Their fingers touched, and a dizzying current raced through her as if her blood had suddenly begun to boil. “Perish the thought, sire! Our weather here is most unpredictable. You might find you’d catch a sudden chill.” He took the ribbon from her shaking fingers, tied it in a love knot over her pulse point, then sealed the knot with a feather-light kiss. “Then perchance you might find it in your heart to keep me warm?” he whispered, the gleam in his eye turning to blue flames. Letter to Reader Dear Reader, It’s June, so start thinking about your summer reading! Whether you’re going to the beach or simply going to relax on the porch, don’t forget to bring along a Harlequin Historical ® novel. And speaking of summer, we are thrilled to present Midsummer’s Knight from award-winning author Tori Phillips. Critics have described Tori’s books as “superb,” “electrifying” and “not to be missed!” In this delightfully mischievous sequel to Silent Knight, which earned 4½ from Affaire de Coeur, a confirmed bachelor and a reluctant widow betrothed against their will switch identities with their friends to spy on the other, and fall in love in the process! When a young woman kills her stepfather in self-defense, she flees, only to be discovered by a kind cowboy who takes her back to his parents’ Missouri home as his “wife,” in Runaway by the popular Carolyn Davidson. And in Widow Woman, a compelling Western by longtime Silhouette author Patricia McLinn, a beautiful rancher must win back the heart of her ex-foreman—the man she once refused to marry and the unknowing father of her child. Laurel Ames returns with Infamous, her eighth book for us. In this fun and frothy Regency, a dashing nobleman and spy, having put up with a very silly and snobbish mother and sister all his life, Finally meets a woman he feels is worth pursuing—much to his family’s chagrin! Whatever your tastes in reading, you’ll be sure to find a romantic journey back to the past between the covers of a Harlequin Historical ® novel Sincerely, Tracy Farrell Senior Editor Please address questions and book requests to: Silhouette Reader Service U.S.: 3010 Walden Ave., P.O. Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269 Canadian: P.O. Box 609. Fort Erie, Ont. L2A 5X3 Title Page Midsummer’s Knight Tori Phillips www.millsandboon.co.uk About the Author TORI PHILLIPS After receiving her degree in theater arts from the University of San Diego, Tori worked at MGM Studios, acted in numerous summer stock musicals and appeared in Paramount Pictures’ The Great Gatsby. Her plays, published by Dramatic Publishing Co., have been produced in the U.S. and Canada, and her poetry is included in several anthologies. She has directed over forty plays, including twenty-one Shakespearean productions. Currently she is a first-person, Living History actress at the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C. She lives with her husband in Burke, Virginia. Dedication “There was a star danced, and under that was I born.” —Much Ado About Nothing This book is dedicated with a great deal of love to our first grandchild, Konrad Martin Schaller, born March 22, 1997. He rode to earth on the tail of a comet and decided to stay. 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 Epilogue Author Note Copyright

“What do I owe you this time?” he murmured.

“The golden ribbon from your left sleeve, to match the others I have already won,” Kat replied with a smile.

“If we continue, all my clothes will fall to your feet” Untying the satin ribbon, he held it out to her. “You would not wish to see me so...at one with nature, would you?” he murmured as he drew closer still.

The idea of him standing stark naked before her both startled and fascinated Kat. Their fingers touched, and a dizzying current raced through her as if her blood had suddenly begun to boil.

“Perish the thought, sire! Our weather here is most unpredictable. You might find you’d catch a sudden chill.”

He took the ribbon from her shaking fingers, tied it in a love knot over her pulse point, then sealed the knot with a feather-light kiss. “Then perchance you might find it in your heart to keep me warm?” he whispered, the gleam in his eye turning to blue flames.

Dear Reader,

It’s June, so start thinking about your summer reading! Whether you’re going to the beach or simply going to relax on the porch, don’t forget to bring along a Harlequin Historical ®novel. And speaking of summer, we are thrilled to present Midsummer’s Knight from award-winning author Tori Phillips. Critics have described Tori’s books as “superb,” “electrifying” and “not to be missed!” In this delightfully mischievous sequel to Silent Knight, which earned 4½ from Affaire de Coeur, a confirmed bachelor and a reluctant widow betrothed against their will switch identities with their friends to spy on the other, and fall in love in the process!

When a young woman kills her stepfather in self-defense, she flees, only to be discovered by a kind cowboy who takes her back to his parents’ Missouri home as his “wife,” in Runaway by the popular Carolyn Davidson. And in Widow Woman, a compelling Western by longtime Silhouette author Patricia McLinn, a beautiful rancher must win back the heart of her ex-foreman—the man she once refused to marry and the unknowing father of her child.

Laurel Ames returns with Infamous, her eighth book for us. In this fun and frothy Regency, a dashing nobleman and spy, having put up with a very silly and snobbish mother and sister all his life, Finally meets a woman he feels is worth pursuing—much to his family’s chagrin!

Whatever your tastes in reading, you’ll be sure to find a romantic journey back to the past between the covers of a Harlequin Historical ®novel