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what was best for her. I wanted her to be happy.”

The laird nodded. “ ’Tis the same thing her mother and I want for her. She assures me she will be happy with you, so I am content to let her go. This time I know she’ll be in a situation where she is provided for and not abused. I can be at ease regarding her welfare. ’Tis the not knowing that is agony.”

“There will never be another woman more cherished,” Bowen vowed.

The laird looked satisfied with Bowen’s response. Then he picked up his goblet and toasted the air.

“I’ve kept you from my Genevieve long enough. I know you’re itching to go back to her. There will be plenty of time to talk on matters in the coming days. I must send word to my wife, and we have a wedding to plan.”

CHAPTER 49

Genevieve tried to concentrate on the excited chatter between Eveline and Rorie, but she kept glancing off to see when Bowen would reappear. After not seeing him for so long, she wanted only to sink into his arms and remain there for the next fortnight.

Eveline and Rorie had dragged her out to the makeshift target so they could show her how much they’d improved their archery skills. Genevieve was appropriately impressed, and she was warmed by their excitement at her return.

Things were so utterly perfect that she feared waking to find that she was back at McHugh Keep, under Ian’s lock and key, and all of this was just a fanciful dream.

“Look, Genevieve, Bowen approaches,” Rorie said as she looked over Genevieve’s shoulder.

Genevieve whirled around and, without a word, took off at a brisk pace. Forgoing any sense of propriety, she broke into a run and flung herself into Bowen’s arms as she’d done when they first greeted each other upon her arrival.

He caught her to him and kissed her soundly, until she was starved for air. Then he set her down and gave her a chiding look.

“You have to stop throwing yourself around thusly, lass. You have a bairn to consider now.”

She smiled, wanting to squeeze him in her delight.

“Did you speak to my father?” she asked.

“I did.”

She waited, and when he didn’t offer anything further, she smacked him on the arm. “Well, tell me! I’m dying here. You cannot keep me in suspense any longer.”

Brodie chuckled and pulled her into his arms, kissing her nose, her eyes, her forehead, and each cheek before finally claiming her lips once more.

“I love you, lass. I fear I’ll never grow tired of saying so.”

Her heart softened and she kissed him back, savoring the hard line of his lips.

“I’ll never grow tired of hearing you say it. Now, tell me all. What did my father say?”

He turned, taking her hand in his as they walked away from where Rorie and Eveline practiced their aim.

“He told me of his desire for us to reside at McInnis Keep for half the year.”

She glanced anxiously up at him. “Do you mind?”

He stopped and turned to face her, gathering her hands in his. “Genevieve, I would agree to six months in hell if it meant being with you.”

Her cheeks warmed and she smiled, joy spreading like wildfire through her soul.

“Well, I hope you don’t think six months at McInnis Keep is akin to hell,” she teased.

“If I’m with you, anywhere is heaven.”

“Oh, Bowen. You cannot keep saying such things. You’ll keep me in tears, and I’m already an emotional mess with the babe. My mother tells me ’tis normal, but some days I feel as if I’m unraveling!”

He chuckled and kissed her on the nose again.

“The wedding will be here as soon as your mother is fit to travel the distance. We’ll spend the winter at Montgomery Keep, and after you’ve delivered the babe, in the spring, when you’re able to travel, we’ll make the journey to McInnis Keep.”

She bit her lip and stared hesitantly up at him. “Do you mind that my father intends me to be laird of our clan, and that he intends you to aid me in the role of leadership?”

“Are you asking if I’m threatened by the prospect?”

After a moment, she nodded. “Some men would not take it well.”

Bowen threw back his head and laughed. “Lass, I wouldn’t care if you were the queen of bloody England. As long as I have you as my wife, I care not if you are pauper or laird. You’re a fierce and courageous lass. I cannot think of a better laird for your people when ’tis time for your father to pass on the mantle of leadership. If you think I’ll stand back and sulk because my manhood is threatened, you’re wrong. I’ll allow you to take me into our chamber from time to time, so that you can show me that I’m still useful in some capacity.”

Genevieve burst into laughter and hugged him fiercely, because otherwise she would cry. Not because she was unhappy but because joy crowded every inch of her heart and soul. She was about to burst with it.

“I love you, Bowen Montgomery. I love you so very much, and that will never change, even when we’re old and gray. I thank God for you every single day, and that you came and lifted me from the depths of despair. You showed me how it can be with a man who loves me, and you’ve shined light on the darkest shadows of my memories.”

He stroked her hair, tucking the wayward strands behind her ears. “We’ll make new memories, lass. Every day for the rest of our lives. And when we’re old we can recount the tale of how a lass overcame insurmountable odds and became one of the fiercest lairds in all of Scotland.”

For Kate Collins, a wonderful editor and champion.

And to Gina Wachtel and Linda Marrow,

whom I love to pieces.

BY MAYA BANKS

In Bed with a Highlander

Seduction of a Highland Lass

Never Love a Highlander

Never Seduce a Scot

Highlander Most Wanted

FROM NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR

Maya Banks

THE SWEET SERIES

The first step in taking control is surrendering …

SWEET SURRENDER

See love from a whole new angle …

SWEET PERSUASION

It’s all fun and games until someone falls in love …

SWEET SEDUCTION

She had a hard act to follow …

SWEET TEMPTATION

He can’t keep her safe from his own desire …

SWEET POSSESSION

This time he won’t walk away …

SWEET ADDICTION

“Heated romantic suspense …

An intense transfixing thriller.”

—Midwest Book Review

“Grabbed me from page one and refused to let go until I read the last word.”

—Joyfully Reviewed

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Table of Contents

Cover

Title Page

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Dedication

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