Ruth Langan - Rory

Cover Page

Excerpt The moment her hands skimmed his flesh, Rory could feel the changes. When her strong fingers began massaging his shoulder, his heartbeat became erratic. His breathing accelerated. His mind was swept clean of all thought save one. He wanted more. He was desperate to feel her hands touching him everywhere. He clenched his teeth to keep from crying out. Clenched his hands into fists to keep from dragging her into his arms and taking what he wanted. “You haven’t been moving your arm as you should,” AnnaClaire said. “And how would you know that?” “Because I can feel a knot of tension here.” She kneaded his flesh, and he bent his head forward slightly to give her easier access. “And here.” She pressed her thumbs over his stiff shoulder, working the flesh in firm but gentle strokes. “Perhaps the tension is from something other than pain.” “And what would that be?” He sighed, as much in pleasure as frustration. “I’ll leave you to figure that one for yourself, my lady….”

Dear Reader Dear Reader, Entertainment. Escape. Fantasy. These three words describe the heart of Harlequin Historicals. If you want compelling, emotional stories by some of the best writers in the field, look no further. Ruth Langan is one of those writers. With over forty-five books to her credit, this bestselling author has made a name for herself in the world of romance fiction. We are thrilled to bring you Rory, the first book in her new medieval series, THE O’NEIL SAGA. Legendary Irish rebel Rory O’Neil has a price on his head for his attacks on English soldiers. When he is wounded in battle, he is nursed by an English noblewoman who eventually must choose between her love for Rory or her loyalty to the Queen of England. Don’t miss this heart-wrenching story! A Father for Keeps is a heartwarming reunion romance by the talented Ana Seymour. A wealthy miner returns to Nevada to win back the woman who secretly had his child. In Robber Bride by Deborah Simmons, the third de Burgh brother, Simon, finds his true love in a runaway bride who is hiding from her despicable would-be husband. And be sure to look for The Tender Stranger by Carolyn Davidson. In this gripping tale, a pregnant widow flees from her conniving in-laws to an isolated Colorado cabin, and later falls in love with the bounty hunter hired to bring her back East. 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.® 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 Rory Ruth Langan www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author RUTH LANGAN traces her ancestry to Scotland and Ireland. It is no surprise, then, that she feels a kinship with the characters in her historical novels. Married to her childhood sweetheart, she has raised five children and lives in Michigan, the state where she was born and raised.

Dedication For sweet little Macey Langan Bissonnette And her big sisters, Aubrey, Haley and Kelsey And her proud parents, Carol and Bryon And to Tom Always

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

Epilogue

Author’s Note

Copyright

When her strong fingers began massaging his shoulder, his heartbeat became erratic. His breathing accelerated. His mind was swept clean of all thought save one. He wanted more. He was desperate to feel her hands touching him everywhere.

He clenched his teeth to keep from crying out. Clenched his hands into fists to keep from dragging her into his arms and taking what he wanted.

“You haven’t been moving your arm as you should,” AnnaClaire said.

“And how would you know that?”

“Because I can feel a knot of tension here.” She kneaded his flesh, and he bent his head forward slightly to give her easier access. “And here.” She pressed her thumbs over his stiff shoulder, working the flesh in firm but gentle strokes.

“Perhaps the tension is from something other than pain.”

“And what would that be?”

He sighed, as much in pleasure as frustration. “I’ll leave you to figure that one for yourself, my lady….”

Dear Reader,

Entertainment. Escape. Fantasy. These three words describe the heart of Harlequin Historicals. If you want compelling, emotional stories by some of the best writers in the field, look no further.

Ruth Langan is one of those writers. With over forty-five books to her credit, this bestselling author has made a name for herself in the world of romance fiction. We are thrilled to bring you Rory, the first book in her new medieval series, THE O’NEIL SAGA. Legendary Irish rebel Rory O’Neil has a price on his head for his attacks on English soldiers. When he is wounded in battle, he is nursed by an English noblewoman who eventually must choose between her love for Rory or her loyalty to the Queen of England. Don’t miss this heart-wrenching story!

A Father for Keeps is a heartwarming reunion romance by the talented Ana Seymour. A wealthy miner returns to Nevada to win back the woman who secretly had his child. In Robber Bride by Deborah Simmons, the third de Burgh brother, Simon, finds his true love in a runaway bride who is hiding from her despicable would-be husband.

And be sure to look for The Tender Stranger by Carolyn Davidson. In this gripping tale, a pregnant widow flees from her conniving in-laws to an isolated Colorado cabin, and later falls in love with the bounty hunter hired to bring her back East. 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.®

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

www.millsandboon.co.uk

traces her ancestry to Scotland and Ireland. It is no surprise, then, that she feels a kinship with the characters in her historical novels.

Married to her childhood sweetheart, she has raised five children and lives in Michigan, the state where she was born and raised.

For sweet little Macey Langan Bissonnette

And her big sisters, Aubrey, Haley and Kelsey

And her proud parents, Carol and Bryon

And to Tom

Always

Ireland, 1560

The chapel at Ballinarin, the ancestral home of the clan O’Neil, was filled to overflowing with family and friends who had come from as far as Malahide Castle in Dublin, and Bunratty Castle in Clare. The mood was festive as they prepared to witness the union of Rory O’Neil, eldest son of Gavin and Moira, and his beloved Caitlin Maguire.

In a small room at the back of the chapel Rory paced while his brother, Conor, stood by the door and watched as the last of the guests filed into pews.

“What’s keeping her?” Rory paused. Sunlight speared through a high window, turning his dark hair blue-black. He was resplendent in black breeches and shirt, with his cloak bearing the O’Neil crest tossed rakishly over his shoulder.