to lose.” Quentin smiled down at her with the unabashed admiration that never ceased to make her want to melt into a puddle of warm syrup. “May I have this dance, Christabel?”
“I’d love that,” she said, accepting his hand. “Although I can’t promise that I’ll be too light on my feet.”
“You’re always the soul of grace to me, my darling.”
His gentle teasing made her giggle. Connor had been a large baby, and she’d felt like a whale by the time her tawny-headed son had emerged squalling into the world. “Just keep thinking that.”
“You’ll be beautiful to me as long as I live, sweetheart.” Quentin’s arm curled around her waist, and he swept her out into the whirling dancers. “I love you, my favorite stableboy.”
Her eternally susceptible heart did one of its now familiar flips. She never tired of hearing him declare his love. Which was a good thing, because he did it with delightful frequency.
“And I love you with all my being, my wonderful husband.” She trailed her hand up his shoulder to tangle her fingers in the silky hair at his nape. It was a silent promise of many more caresses to come. “You were the best Christmas present ever.”
***
I hope you’ve enjoyed the latest installment in The Lairds Most Likely. If you’ve missed out on any of them, the first seven books in the series are The Laird’s Willful Lass, The Laird’s Christmas Kiss, The Highlander’s Lost Lady, The Highlander’s Defiant Captive, The Highlander’s Christmas Quest, The Highlander’s English Bride, and The Highlander's Forbidden Mistress. Like all my books, each story can be read as a stand-alone. Links and information follow.
The Laird's Willful Lass: The Lairds Most Likely Book One
An untamed man as immovable as a Highland mountain…
Fergus Mackinnon, autocratic Laird of Achnasheen, likes to be in charge. When he was little more than a lad, he became master of his Scottish estate, and he’s learned to rely on his unfailing judgment. So has everyone else in his corner of the world. He sees no reason for his bride—when he finds her—to be any different.
A headstrong woman from the warm and passionate south…
Marina Lucchetti knows all about fighting her way through a wall of masculine arrogance. In her native Florence, she’s become a successful artist, no easy feat for a woman. Now a commission to paint a series of Highland scenes promises to spread her fame far and wide. When a carriage accident strands her at Achnasheen for a few weeks, it’s a mixed blessing. The magnificent landscape offers everything her artistic soul could desire. If only she can resist the impulse to smash her easel across the laird’s obstinate head.
When two fiery souls come together, a conflagration flares.
Marina is Fergus’s worst nightmare—a woman who defies a man’s guidance. Fergus challenges everything Marina believes about a woman’s right to choose her path. No two people could be less suited. But when irresistible passion enters the equation, good sense soon jumps into the loch.
Will the desire between Fergus and Marina blaze hot, then fade to ashes? Or will the imperious laird and his willful lass discover that their differences aren’t insurmountable after all, but the spice that will flavor a lifetime of happiness?
Buy from Amazon here!
The Laird's Christmas Kiss: The Lairds Most Likely Book Two
Down with love!
Ever since she was fifteen, shy wallflower Elspeth Douglas has pined in vain for the attentions of dashing Brody Girvan, Laird of Invermackie. But the rakish Highlander doesn’t even know she’s alive. Now she’s twenty, she realizes that she’ll never be happy until she stops loving her brother’s handsome friend. When family and friends gather at Achnasheen Castle for Christmas, she intends to show the world that’s she’s all grown up, and grown out of silly crushes on gorgeous Scotsmen. So take that, my gallant laddie!
Girls just want to have fun…
Except it turns out that Brody isn’t singing from the same Christmas carol sheet. Elspeth decides she’s not interested in him anymore, just as he decides he’s very interested indeed. In fact, now he looks more closely, his friend Hamish’s sister is pretty and funny and forthright – and just the lassie to share his Highland estate. Convincing his little wren of his romantic intentions is difficult enough, even before she undergoes a makeover and becomes the belle of Achnasheen. For once in his life, dissolute Brody is burdened with honorable intentions, while the lady he pursues is set on flirtation with no strings attached.
Deck the halls with mistletoe!
With interfering friends and a