PROMISE GIVEN MM

by JAMES SAMANTHA

• ISBN13: 9780380786084
• ISBN10: 0380786087
• Format: Paperback
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publications

Summary

A Promise GivenThe proud head of his Highland clan, Ian MacGregor has returned, cloaked in secrets, to the place where he spent many carefree years, in order to marry Margaret Kincaid--the lowlands lass to whom he has been betrothed since his youth. But it is the wild spirited and hauntingly beautiful Sabrina Kincaid who catches Ian's eye. And when Margaret mysteriously vanishes, he willingly accepts Sabrina as his bride in her sister's stead.A Promise KeptDutybound to honor her father's wish, Sabrina reluctantly agrees to wed the rugged chieftain--though she fears the rumors of Ian's dark past. . .and the whispers that now blame him for Margaret's disappearance. But her sensuous soul bids her to pay no heed to her doubts and mistrust, and to submit instead to the searing passions that burn within her. For Ian's stirring yet tender caress speaks of a noble, gentle heart. And if peril is Sabrina's fate, so be it--for she is determined to learn the truths that will set them both free and carry them aloft together on the wings of incomparable love.

Excerpts

A Promise Given

Chapter One

The Year of our Lord 1306

It was the last day of summer, and the billowing breeze carried with it the sweet scent of fresh plump roses still abloom.

The courtyard at Dunlevy Keep bustled with activity like a brew bubbling in a pot. Men and horses and animals milled about; chickens zig-zagged across the yard. From around the comer came the clang of battle lances. But inside the great hall an angry shout bounced from the timbered rafters.

"Sabrina! Where is that blasted girl? God's teeth, she is never around when I need her!"

Two of the maids exchanged glances. The younger of the two sprinted toward the flat-topped building that housed the kitchens. Speeding toward the vegetable gardens, she rounded the comer, bracing herself as she came to a halt. An instant later, she lowered eyes at the sight of her mistress, held fast in the arms of afair-haired giant.

"Psst," came her whisper of warning, "your father is calling for you, m'lady."

immediately the young woman sought to wiggle from his embrace. But the fair-haired giant would have none of it, and merely clasped her tighter.

Even while the lady gloried in his possessiveness, caution reigned supreme. "Jamie," came her urgent whisper, "I must go. 'Tis not wise to keep Papa waiting."

His embrace loosened, though he did not release her. With a ferocious scowl, the blond giant raised his head. "Curse the man," he stated bluntly. "Why does he never call upon Margaret?"

Sabrina Kincaid wrinkled her nose at him. "Margaret has responsibilities as well. No doubt she is already busy with other duties."

Jamie MacDougall's lips thinned. "Och!" He made no secret of his disdain. "The man allows you no peace. He treats you more like a servant than a daughter."

Sabrina's smile wavered. The denial which sprang to the fore would not emerge, though she knew not why. In his own way, she knew her father loved her. And yet... she knew also that he blamed her for her mother's death, for it was just after giving birth to her that her poor mother had died.

As if he sensed her distress, Jamie's anus tightened anew. "Faith, but I wish I could wed you now," he said, his voice low and fervent. "By the saints, this very day."

Sabrina tipped her head back so she could see him. A hint of sadness tinged her smile. "As do I. But we both know Papa would never allow it. I am the younger, so Margaret must wed Ian first. "

Jamie's arms fell to his sides. "'Tis because I am a MacDougall."

"Nay," she said quickly, though in truth she was not certain. Her father harbored no fondness for the MacDougall clan. She knew he disapproved of her seeing Jamie; to date, she had discouraged Jamie from asking for her hand, for she already knew her father would refuse. Mayhap when Margaret was wed, he would be more accepting.

"Ian." II Jamie practically spat the word. "What keeps him in the Highlands -- and away from his bride-to-be?"

Sabrina smoothed the lines from between heavy blond brows. "I do not- know," she said with a sigh. "But his father died nearly a year ago. And I heard Papa say there was talk of trouble in his clan."

Jamie scoffed. "Mayhap he does not wish to wed Margaret.

Nay. It could not be so. Oh, at times Margaret's tongue cut deep as any blade; but Margaret was fair as an English rose-as fair as their poor dead mother had been. Sabrina could not conceive of any man who would not wish to claim such beauty for his own.

"Sabrina!"

She started at the nearness of her father's roar. "Go," she pleaded quickly. "Jamie, you must go now!"

A brief hard kiss upon the lips ... and then he was gone, vaulting nimbly across a low, ivy clad stone fence and into the forest beyond. Sabrina whirled, gathered her skirts in hand, and darted back toward the keep.

Papa's stout form lumbered into view. "Sabrina!" he bellowed, then stopped short as he spied her. He scowled at her. "There you are, girl! Where the devil, have you been?'.'

Sabrina's voice was a trifle breathless. "Checking the vegetable gardens. I daresay we shall have a fine crop of cabbages and leeks to store for winter." Deftly she guided the subject away. from her whereabouts. "Did you wish to see me, Papa?"

"Aye!" Duncan Kincaid straightened to his full height. "The MacGregor comes, Sabrina! He comes to Dunlevy this very day!"

"The MacGregor," she echoed blankly, then all at once her heart seemed to stop. Did he mean ... "Ian?" she whispered. "Ian is coming?"

"Aye, the very same."

Sabrina swallowed. She was unused to thinking of Ian as the MacGregor. Indeed, she would prefer not to think of that Highland rogue at all!

But she was no longer a child. Though discretion was not in her nature, over the years, she had worked hard to curb her tongue and hold her opinions to herself.

She glanced at Papa. "Does Margaret know?"

"Aye. He has sent word that he wishes to prepare for the marriage. She is in the kirk praying for his safe arrival." He cast her a glance from the comer of his eye. Sabrina didn't miss the full import of that glance; she knew full well he thought she spent too little time in the pursuit of heavenly guidance.

But for once he did not chastise her. "There's much to be done," he said shortly. "There is food to be prepared and rooms to be readied for the MacGregor and his clansmen. See to it, lassie."

Sabrina hurried to, obey. Very soon the keep was a buzz of frenzied activity. Within the hour freshly laundered sheets clapped in the breeze, like sails beneath an azure sky. Sabrina sent three maids abovestairs to clean several vacant chambers, then went in search of Margaret.

A Promise Given. Copyright © by Samantha James. Reprinted by permission of HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Available now wherever books are sold.

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Excerpted from A Promise Given by Samantha James, Sandra Kleinschmidt
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.