Jacqueline Navin - Strathmere's Bride

Cover Page

Praise Praise for Jacqueline Navin’s recent release, A Rose at Midnight “Nothing can prepare you for the pure love that flows from Ms. Navin’s writing. She gives warmth, humor, tears of joy…her books are gifts to be treasured.” — Bell, Book and Candle “Ms. Navin touches our hearts with a tale of rebirth and the joyous wonders of love.” — Romantic Times Magazine

Excerpt “I thought I was to be asked to leave.” “We could never get on without you,” Jareth murmured, turning to face her. The words touched something in Chloe, a distant hope, a desire held at bay. It must have shone in her eyes as she raised her gaze to his. “You could not?” He seemed to realize his error. His expression sobered. She lowered her gaze, ashamed of what he might see in her eyes. The touch of his fingers along her chin made her catch her breath. They were warm and smooth, and tiny shivers of excitement shot forth like sparks from a flint to singe her cheek and sizzle down her neck. “Sweet Lord, Chloe, are you never satisfied with anything? Do you always need to push me beyond comfort?” His words were harsh, but they were spoken in a tone that was almost a caress…

Dear Reader Dear Reader, Autumn is such a romantic season—fall colors, rustling leaves, big sweaters and, for many of you, the kids are back in school So, as the leaves fall, snuggle up in a cozy chair and let us sweep you away to the romantic past! Rising star Jacqueline Navin returns with her fourth Harlequin Historical novel since her publishing debut in March of 1998. Her latest, Strathmere’s Bride, stays true to her passionate and emotional style. In this Regency-style historical tale, a duke who is now the single father of his two orphaned nieces intends to marry—quickly. He courts a lovely and proper woman, but is much more intrigued by the very improper governess running about with his nieces. Will he choose duty, or desire…? Bestselling author Ruth Langan brings us the final book in THE O’NEIL SAGA, Briana. Set in England and Ireland, this is the tale of a feisty Irish noblewoman and the lonely, tormented landowner who first saves her life—and then succumbs to her charms! In The Doctor’s Wife by the popular Cheryl St John, scandalous secrets are revealed but love triumphs when a waitress “from the other side of the tracks” marries a young doctor in need of a mother for his baby girl. And don’t miss Branded Hearts by Diana Hall, a Western chock-full of juicy surprises. Here, a young cowgirl bent on revenge must fight her feelings for her boss, an enigmatic cattle rancher. Enjoy. And come back again next month for four more choices of the best in historical romance. Sincerely, Tracy Farrell Senior Editor P.S. We’d love to hear what you think about Harlequin Historicals! Drop us a line at: Harlequin Historicals 300 E. 42nd Street, 6th Floor New York, NY 10017

Title Page Strathmere’s Bride Jacqueline Navin www.millsandboon.co.uk

About The Author JACQUELINE NAVIN lives with her husband and three small children in Maryland, where she works in private practice as a psychologist. Writing has been her hobby since the sixth grade, and she has boxes full of incomplete manuscripts to prove it. When asked, as she often is, how she finds time m her busy schedule to write, she replies that it is not a problem—thanks to the staunch support of her husband, who is not unused to doing the dinner dishes and tucking the kids into bed. However, finding time to do the laundry—that’s the problem. Jacqueline would love to hear from readers. Please write to her at P.O. Box 1611, Bel Air, MD 21014.

Acknowledgments This is Lindsey’s book—my Chloe, my very own little flibbertigibbet. How well I know how trying they can be. And how precious.

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

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Copyright

“Nothing can prepare you for the pure love that flows from Ms. Navin’s writing. She gives warmth, humor, tears of joy…her books are gifts to be treasured.”

— Bell, Book and Candle

“Ms. Navin touches our hearts with a tale of rebirth and the joyous wonders of love.”

— Romantic Times Magazine

“We could never get on without you,” Jareth murmured, turning to face her.

The words touched something in Chloe, a distant hope, a desire held at bay. It must have shone in her eyes as she raised her gaze to his. “You could not?”

He seemed to realize his error. His expression sobered.

She lowered her gaze, ashamed of what he might see in her eyes. The touch of his fingers along her chin made her catch her breath. They were warm and smooth, and tiny shivers of excitement shot forth like sparks from a flint to singe her cheek and sizzle down her neck.

“Sweet Lord, Chloe, are you never satisfied with anything? Do you always need to push me beyond comfort?” His words were harsh, but they were spoken in a tone that was almost a caress…

Dear Reader,

Autumn is such a romantic season—fall colors, rustling leaves, big sweaters and, for many of you, the kids are back in school So, as the leaves fall, snuggle up in a cozy chair and let us sweep you away to the romantic past!

Rising star Jacqueline Navin returns with her fourth Harlequin Historical novel since her publishing debut in March of 1998. Her latest, Strathmere’s Bride, stays true to her passionate and emotional style. In this Regency-style historical tale, a duke who is now the single father of his two orphaned nieces intends to marry—quickly. He courts a lovely and proper woman, but is much more intrigued by the very improper governess running about with his nieces. Will he choose duty, or desire…?

Bestselling author Ruth Langan brings us the final book in THE O’NEIL SAGA, Briana. Set in England and Ireland, this is the tale of a feisty Irish noblewoman and the lonely, tormented landowner who first saves her life—and then succumbs to her charms! In The Doctor’s Wife by the popular Cheryl St John, scandalous secrets are revealed but love triumphs when a waitress “from the other side of the tracks” marries a young doctor in need of a mother for his baby girl. And don’t miss Branded Hearts by Diana Hall, a Western chock-full of juicy surprises. Here, a young cowgirl bent on revenge must fight her feelings for her boss, an enigmatic cattle rancher.

Enjoy. And come back again next month for four more choices of the best in historical romance.

Sincerely,

Tracy Farrell

Senior Editor

P.S. We’d love to hear what you think about Harlequin Historicals! Drop us a line at:

Harlequin Historicals

300 E. 42nd Street, 6th Floor

New York, NY 10017

www.millsandboon.co.uk