The Lady and the Laird

The Lady and the Laird
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An Indecent Proposal.Bluestocking darling and secret scribe Lady Lucy MacMorlan has no interest in marriage. Putting herself second to a man is definitely not for her. Instead, she makes a profit from matchmaking others and her clandestine love letters are the hushed talk of Scottish society.Except now her talent is causing distress—one of Lucy’s more provocative letters has just cost Robert, Marquis of Methven, his much-needed betrothal. It doesn’t help that Robert is a bitter enemy of the MacMorlan family with a personal vendetta against Lucy. His revenge? She must marry him or he will wage war on what is left of her good reputation…

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Nicola Cornick's novels have received acclaim the world over

‘Cornick is first-class, queen of her game.’

—Romance Junkies

‘A rising star of the Regency arena’

—Publishers Weekly

Praise for the SCANDALOUS WOMEN OF THE TON series

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—NewYork Times bestselling author Mary Jo Putney on Whisper of Scandal

‘One of the finest voices in historical romance’

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‘Ethan Ryder (is) a bad boy to die for! A memorable story of intense emotions, scandals, trust, betrayal and all-encompassing love. A fresh and engrossing tale.’

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‘Historical romance at its very best is written by Nicola Cornick.’

—Mary Gramlich, The Reading Reviewer

Acclaim for Nicola's previous books

‘Witty banter, lively action and sizzling passion’

—Library Journal on Undoing of a Lady

‘RITA>® Award-nominated Cornick deftly steeps her latest intriguingly complex Regency historical in a beguiling blend of danger and desire.’ —Booklist on Unmasked

The Lady and the Laird

Nicola Cornick

www.mirabooks.co.uk

Don't miss theScandalous Women of the Tonseries,available now!

WHISPER OF SCANDAL

ONE WICKED SIN MISTRESS BY MIDNIGHT NOTORIOUS DESIRED FORBIDDEN

Also available fromNicola Cornick

DECEIVED

LORD OF SCANDAL UNMASKED THE CONFESSIONS OF A DUCHESS THE SCANDALS OF AN INNOCENT THE UNDOING OF A LADY DAUNTSEY PARK: THE LAST RAKE IN LONDON

Browse www.mirabooks.co.uk or www.nicolacornick.co.uk forNicola's full backlist

To Margaret McPhee, who writes delicious

books and shares delicious cakes

PROLOGUE

Forres Castle, Scotland, June 1803

IT WAS A NIGHT made for magic.

The moon was new that night and the sea was a thread of shining silver. The wind sighed through the pine trees and there was the scent of salt on its edge.

“Lucy! Come and watch!”

Lady Lucy MacMorlan turned over in bed and drew the covers up more closely about her ears. She was warm and cozy and she had no urge to leave the cocoon of the blankets in order to shiver in the draught by the window. Besides, she did not want to join in with her sister Alice in casting a spell. They were foolish and dangerous and would only get the two of them into trouble.

“I’m not getting up,” she said, wriggling her toes in the warmth. “I don’t want a husband.”

“Of course you do.” Alice sounded impatient. At sixteen, Lucy’s twin was fascinated by balls and gowns and men. Earlier that evening, Alice had run three times around the ancient sundial in the castle grounds, reciting the words of the equally ancient love spell that on the new moon would give her a glimpse of the man she would wed. Lucy had stayed in the library, reading a copy of Hume’s Essays Moral and Political. Now, after sunset, Alice was awaiting the outcome of her enchantment.

“Of course you will marry,” Alice said again. “What else would you do?”

Read, Lucy thought. Read and write and study. It was more fun.

“Everyone marries.” Alice sounded grown-up, knowledgeable. “We are to make alliances and have children. It’s what the daughters of a duke do. Everyone says so.”

Marry. Have children.

Lucy thought about it, considering the idea rationally as she did all ideas. It was true that it was expected of them, and no doubt it was what their mother would have wanted. She had died when Lucy and Alice were no more than a few years old, but everyone said she had been the diamond of her generation, the elegant daughter of the Earl of Stratharnon who had made a dazzling match and produced a perfect brood of children. Lucy and Alice’s elder sister Mairi was eighteen and already wed. Lucy was not averse to the idea, but she thought she would have to meet a man who was more interesting than a book, and that was more difficult than it sounded.

“Lucy!” Alice’s voice had turned sharp. “Look! Oh look, some of the gentlemen are coming out onto the terrace with their brandy! Which one will I see first? He will be my true love.”

“You have windmills in your head,” Lucy said, “to believe such nonsense.”

Alice was not crushed. She never listened when she was excited. Their father was hosting a dinner that evening, but both his younger daughters were still in the schoolroom and had not been invited. There was a pause. Through the open window, Lucy could hear the sound of voices from below now, masculine laughter. A trace of cigar smoke tickled her nose. There was the clink of glass on stone.

“Oh!” Alice sounded intrigued. “Who is that? I can’t see his face clearly—”

“That will be because he has his back to you,” Lucy said crossly. She was trying to sleep, but it was impossible while Alice kept talking. “Remember the spell. If he has his back to you, that means he will be a false love, not a true one.”



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