Deloras Scott - The Devil's Kiss

Acclaim for DeLoras Scott’s previous books Acclaim for DeLoras Scott’s previous books Addie’s Lament “DeLoras ‘superscribe’ Scott scores with this stupendous story.” —Affaire de Coeur “A fantastic tale.” —Rendezvous Timeless “5 s...her strongest and most impressive work to date.” —Affaire de Coeur “...tops her Springtown, and I thought that was super!” —Rendezvous Springtown “...a fresh, entertaining and witty romp...4+” —Romantic Times “GOLD 5” —Heartland Critiques “Listen to me, Beth!” “Listen to me, Beth!” Cole’s gaze shifted here and there for any signs of the raiding party. “I’m going to try to get us out of this alive, but I’m going to need your help. Should we meet up with the Indians, I don’t want you trying to outrun them.” Beth’s panic exploded in her ears. “I’ll not give up without making a run for it!” She leaned forward, ready to plant her heels in her horse’s ribs, but Cole grabbed the bit. Beth could do nothing as long as Cole held on. She whipped unmercifully at him with the ends of the reins. “Dammit, Beth, stop fighting me!” Beth continued to struggle. “I’ll never listen to you again...you yellow-bellied—” All other accusations were left unsaid. Her mouth was suddenly dry, and she became very still. Five mounted hostiles in full plumage were riding toward them. They, as well as their horses, were splashed with all the colors of the spectrum. Cole stated coldly, “You wanted to see scalpings and you wanted to see Indians. Well, here they are....” Letter to Reader Dear Reader, DeLoras Scott’s first book, Bittersweet, was published by Harlequin Historicals in 1987, and she continues to be one of our most popular authors. This month she is back with The Devil’s Kiss, a romantic comedy about two misfits who discover love, despite Indians, outlaws and themselves. Don’t miss this wonderful story. The Trail to Temptation is the second book for Rae Muir, a featured author in our 1996 March Madness promotion. It’s a Western about a star-crossed couple who fight their attraction on a trail drive from Texas to Montana. Awardwinning author Margaret Moore’s The Wastrel, the magical story of a disowned heiress and a devil-may-care bachelor, introduces her new series of Victorian romance novels featuring a trio of “most unsuitable” heroes that she has aptly named MOST UNSUITABLE.... And March 1996 author Tori Phillips returns this month with an unforgettable story, Silent Knight, the tale of a would-be monk and a French noblewoman who fall in love on a delightful journey across medieval England. Whatever your taste in reading, we hope Harlequin Historicals will keep you coming back for more. Please keep a lookout for all four titles, available wherever books are sold. Sincerely, Tracy Farrell Senior Editor Please address questions and book requests to: Harlequin 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 The Devil’s Devil’s Kiss Deloras Scott www.millsandboon.co.uk About the Author DELORAS SCOTT was raised in Sutter’s Mill, California—an area steeped in history. At one time it was gold country, and the legacy of wagon trains, cowboys and miners has remained. It’s no wonder she enjoys writing about a chapter of history referred to as the Old West. Author’s Note Author’s Note When my parents moved to Sacramento, California, in the fifties, there were still thousands of acres with nothing but rocks left from the mining days. A hundred years ago the miners dredged everything. Especially the soil needed for plants to grow. This bit of knowledge, Sutter’s Fort and a land steeped in history drew my fascination. Now, having lived and traveled extensively across these United States, my interest hasn’t diminished. Of course, everything comes full circle and I am again living in Sacramento, and enjoying that wealth of history. The idea for The Devil’s Kiss came from old pictures I happened across in a library. A lady of obvious quality was seated on a horse—sidesaddle—a rifle lying across her lap. The picture next to it showed a burly sharpshooter standing beside a towering pile of buffalo pelts. My imagination churned and came up with The Devil’s Kiss. I love to hear from readers. Please write. DeLoras Scott P.O. Box 278042 Sacramento, CA 95827-8042 Prologue 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 Copyright

Acclaim for DeLoras Scott’s previous books

Addie’s Lament

“DeLoras ‘superscribe’ Scott scores with this stupendous story.”

—Affaire de Coeur

“A fantastic tale.”

—Rendezvous

Timeless

“5 s...her strongest and most impressive work to date.”

—Affaire de Coeur

“...tops her Springtown, and I thought that was super!”

—Rendezvous

Springtown

“...a fresh, entertaining and witty romp...4+”

—Romantic Times

“GOLD 5”

—Heartland Critiques

“Listen to me, Beth!”

Cole’s gaze shifted here and there for any signs of the raiding party. “I’m going to try to get us out of this alive, but I’m going to need your help. Should we meet up with the Indians, I don’t want you trying to outrun them.”

Beth’s panic exploded in her ears. “I’ll not give up without making a run for it!”

She leaned forward, ready to plant her heels in her horse’s ribs, but Cole grabbed the bit. Beth could do nothing as long as Cole held on. She whipped unmercifully at him with the ends of the reins.

“Dammit, Beth, stop fighting me!”

Beth continued to struggle. “I’ll never listen to you again...you yellow-bellied—” All other accusations were left unsaid. Her mouth was suddenly dry, and she became very still.

Five mounted hostiles in full plumage were riding toward them. They, as well as their horses, were splashed with all the colors of the spectrum.

Cole stated coldly, “You wanted to see scalpings and you wanted to see Indians. Well, here they are....”

Dear Reader,

DeLoras Scott’s first book, Bittersweet, was published by Harlequin Historicals in 1987, and she continues to be one of our most popular authors. This month she is back with The Devil’s Kiss, a romantic comedy about two misfits who discover love, despite Indians, outlaws and themselves. Don’t miss this wonderful story.

The Trail to Temptation is the second book for Rae Muir, a featured author in our 1996 March Madness promotion. It’s a Western about a star-crossed couple who fight their attraction on a trail drive from Texas to Montana. Awardwinning author Margaret Moore’s The Wastrel, the magical story of a disowned heiress and a devil-may-care bachelor, introduces her new series of Victorian romance novels featuring a trio of “most unsuitable” heroes that she has aptly named MOST UNSUITABLE....

And March 1996 author Tori Phillips returns this month with an unforgettable story, Silent Knight, the tale of a would-be monk and a French noblewoman who fall in love on a delightful journey across medieval England.

Whatever your taste in reading, we hope Harlequin Historicals will keep you coming back for more. Please keep a lookout for all four titles, available wherever books are sold.

Sincerely,

Tracy Farrell

Senior Editor

Please address questions and book requests to:

Harlequin Reader Service

U.S.: 3010 Walden Ave., P.O. Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269