Linda Castle - Territorial Bride

Cover Page

Praise Critical acclaim for Linda Castle’s previous titles Temple’s Prize “Delightful, funny…poignant and intriguing…a winner.” — Romantic Times The Return of Chase Cordell “A balance of marvelous characters and an outstanding plot.” — Rendezvous Abbie’s Child “Fresh and compelling, a wonderful read.” —Author Patricia Potter Fearless Hearts “A very different love story guaranteed to tug on your heartstrings.” —Author Marilyn Campbell

Excerpt Any minute now she would start to cuss and bluster… But to his shock and dismay, she only smiled and allowed those remarkably thick dark lashes to sweep over her chestnut eyes once again. “As you say, Brooks,” she agreed demurely. “I do stick out like a sore thumb here in New York, part Irish and part Indian—a cat’s whisker from being a barbarian, wouldn’t you say?” Missy—brave, blunt, wonderful Missy was still beneath the lonely veneer. “No, I wouldn’t call you a barbarian and neither would anyone else within my hearing, I assure you— Marisa. ” A sudden burst of possessiveness flared inside him. All he wanted to do was enjoy her company alone and keep other men from looking at her with hungry eyes. Their gazes locked. Heat rose between them like fog on a warm April morning. Breathe, you idiot, a voice inside his head screamed…

Dear Reader Dear Reader, This holiday season, we’ve selected books that are sure to warm your heart—all with heroes who redefine the phrase “the gift of giving.” Since Linda Castle’s first book, Fearless Hearts, appeared in our 1995 March Madness Promotion, she has been inundated with letters from fans asking for more. Territorial Bride is that long-awaited sequel. Now cowgirl Missy O’Bannion is all grown-up—and she’s bound and determined to become a lady to impress Eastern rogue Brooks James, who’s already shown her he can be a real cowboy. In this darling “opposites attract” romance, their love is tested on many levels, especially when Missy is seriously injured. Rising talent Sharon Schulze returns this month with The Shielded Heart, a stirring tale set in eighteenth-century England about a warrior who learns to accept his special psychic gift as he teaches an enamel artisan about life and love. And award-winning Cheryl Reavis is back with another of her sensational Civil War stories. Harrigan’s Bride features a soldier who chivalrously marries the bedridden daughter of his late godmother. Don’t miss it! Rounding out the month is A Warrior’s Passion, the ninth book in the medieval WARRIOR SERIES by the gifted Margaret Moore. Here, a young woman is forced into an unwanted betrothal before the man she truly loves—and whose child she carries—can claim her as his wife! 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: 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 Territorial Bride Linda Castle www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author LINDA CASTLE Linda Castle is the pseudonym of Linda L. Crockett. Although she is a native New Mexican, Linda can trace her heritage to Comanche on one branch and all the way to Scotland at the time of the Spanish Armada on another. Perhaps this blending of blood and culture is what enables her to step back in time and capture tales from bygone eras. She is fascinated with both the American West and the British Isles. A recent trip to Scotland, England and Wales produced amazing links, such as finding an out-of-the-way kilt maker in Edinburgh who had plaids for the Crocketts and the Caudills. Linda currently makes her home in New Mexico with her husband, Bill, two youngest children, Brandon and Logan, and their beloved Great Danes, Rebel and Destiny. You can reach Linda at the following address: Linda Castle, #18 County Road 5795, Farmington, NM 87401.

Dedication This book is lovingly and respectfully dedicated to Chris Reeves, Karin David and the Paralyzed Veterans of America, who valiantly face each day and teach us the meaning of courage. May God bless you all.

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

Epilogue

Author’s Note

Copyright

Temple’s Prize

“Delightful, funny…poignant and intriguing…a winner.”

— Romantic Times

The Return of Chase Cordell

“A balance of marvelous characters and an outstanding plot.”

— Rendezvous

Abbie’s Child

“Fresh and compelling, a wonderful read.”

—Author Patricia Potter

Fearless Hearts

“A very different love story guaranteed to tug on your heartstrings.”

—Author Marilyn Campbell

But to his shock and dismay, she only smiled and allowed those remarkably thick dark lashes to sweep over her chestnut eyes once again.

“As you say, Brooks,” she agreed demurely. “I do stick out like a sore thumb here in New York, part Irish and part Indian—a cat’s whisker from being a barbarian, wouldn’t you say?”

Missy—brave, blunt, wonderful Missy was still beneath the lonely veneer.

“No, I wouldn’t call you a barbarian and neither would anyone else within my hearing, I assure you— Marisa. ” A sudden burst of possessiveness flared inside him. All he wanted to do was enjoy her company alone and keep other men from looking at her with hungry eyes.

Their gazes locked. Heat rose between them like fog on a warm April morning.

Breathe, you idiot, a voice inside his head screamed…

Dear Reader,

This holiday season, we’ve selected books that are sure to warm your heart—all with heroes who redefine the phrase “the gift of giving.” Since Linda Castle’s first book, Fearless Hearts, appeared in our 1995 March Madness Promotion, she has been inundated with letters from fans asking for more. Territorial Bride is that long-awaited sequel. Now cowgirl Missy O’Bannion is all grown-up—and she’s bound and determined to become a lady to impress Eastern rogue Brooks James, who’s already shown her he can be a real cowboy. In this darling “opposites attract” romance, their love is tested on many levels, especially when Missy is seriously injured.

Rising talent Sharon Schulze returns this month with The Shielded Heart, a stirring tale set in eighteenth-century England about a warrior who learns to accept his special psychic gift as he teaches an enamel artisan about life and love. And award-winning Cheryl Reavis is back with another of her sensational Civil War stories. Harrigan’s Bride features a soldier who chivalrously marries the bedridden daughter of his late godmother. Don’t miss it!

Rounding out the month is A Warrior’s Passion, the ninth book in the medieval WARRIOR SERIES by the gifted Margaret Moore. Here, a young woman is forced into an unwanted betrothal before the man she truly loves—and whose child she carries—can claim her as his wife!