Irresistible MacRae: Book Three of the Highland Lords by Karen Ranney

From the Publisher

To avoid a scandal that would devastate her family, Riona McKinsey has agreed to marry the wrong man — though the one she yearns for is James MacRae. Had she not been maneuvered into a compromising position by a man of Edinburgh — who covets her family's wealth more than Riona's love — the dutiful Highland miss could have followed her heart into MacRae's strong and loving arms. But alas, it is not to be.

A man of the wild, tempest-tossed ocean, James MacRae never dreamed he'd find his greatest temptation on land. Yet from the instant the dashing adventurer first gazed deeply into Riona's haunting gray eyes, he knew there was no lass in all of Scotland he'd ever want more. The matchless lady is betrothed to another — and unwilling to break off her engagement or share the reason why she will marry her intended. But how can MacRae ignore the passion that burns like fire inside, drawing him relentlessly toward a love that could ruin them both?

Publishers Weekly

The vibrant protagonists in Karen Ranney's latest Highland Lords romance (after When the Laird Returns) rise above the story's plain prose and formulaic plot line. Scottish country miss and heiress Riona McKinsey has the mind of a modern woman but the duty of an 18th-century daughter to marry well. When a fortune-hunter traps her into an engagement, her hopes for the future wilt until James, The Irresistible MacRae, arrives bearing a message from a family friend. Predictably, Riona and James fall in love, but their happily-ever-after is a while in coming. First they must contend with Riona's grasping fianc , and then they have to ward off an enemy of the MacRaes' who's determined to kill James. While the story line is far from fresh, those interested in a simply told, sweet romance that doesn't skimp on historical detail will be satisfied. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

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May 1778

"You'll marry him," Mrs. Parker said sternly.

"I'll not," Riona replied, just as forcefully.

That had been the extent of their conversation all the way from Edinburgh.

The world had gone mad; Riona McKinsey was sure of it. Should she forget that fact for even a moment, Mrs. Adelaide Parker, late of London, was there to remind her. The formidable woman sat opposite her in the darkened carriage, her arms folded across her chest, her toes tapping against the floor, her heavy sighs making Riona feel alternately uncomfortable and beyond irritated.

Mrs. Parker had declined to light the lamps, no doubt reasoning that since Riona was going to perdition she might as well have a taste of it beforehand.

Riona's sister sat beside her in the darkness, daintily sobbing into her handkerchief. Of the two of them, Maureen made her feel worse.

The coach rumbled on, despite the fact that it was a moonless night. Landscape, however, was no obstacle to the redoubtable Mrs. Parker. She had stared down kings and queens of society. What was a treacherous road in comparison?

Riona wedged herself more firmly into the corner, using a finger to lift the leather shade. There was no scenery to observe other than shrouded bushes and darkly shadowed trees.

She should, perhaps, be formulating a plan, thinking of some words to assuage her mother. Her throat was hoarse from speaking blandishments to Mrs. Parker, and attempting to make her see reason.

Mrs. Parker had declared her ruined, and so she was.

Her mother, however, was not so devoid of sense as her chaperone. Susanna would see the situationas it was and judge her accordingly.

Why was it that a woman had to prove herself twice over and a man's words were taken at face value?

She'd had absolutely no intention of slipping into the garden with Harold McDougal. Nor would she have willingly remained there and agreed to the ruination of her reputation. But the man had neatly captured her with words. Not those of a romantic nature, but of a sisterly one.

"My dear Miss McKinsey, your sister is in the garden, weeping. Could you not lend her your aid?"

She'd not thought twice. Maureen had been emotional of late, believing herself in love with the dashing Captain Hastings. To make matters worse, the young man had not been able to attend the gathering that evening, being newly posted to Fort George. She'd seen Maureen dabbing at her eyes herself, and never thought twice about going to her side.

Except that Maureen was not in the darkened garden sitting on a stone bench.

She whirled on Harold, only to have him grip her bare arm with his damp hand. Deliberately, she pulled away.

"I have been captivated by you from the first, Miss McKinsey. Say you feel the same and I'll be the happiest man in all the world."

"I have met you on but two occasions, sir," she said. "Have I given you any indication that such familiarity would be welcome?"

"You have smiled at me, Miss McKinsey." His voice was low and soft and no doubt meant to be seductive. Instead, it was merely repellent. "And I have been fascinated by the sparkle in your beautiful eyes. I have never been privileged to see such a shade of silver before."

"They are gray,", she said flatly. "A simple gray." She took the precaution of stepping backward.

"I would have you know of the respect and admiration I feel for you."

Holding up one hand, palm toward him, she hoped to stop his advance, but like most ardent suitors, however, he heard encouragement in her words and coyness in her silence.

"I have startled you with my impetuousness," he said. "There is but one cure for it, my dearest Miss McKinsey. We must marry -- "

She was in Edinburgh to attract a husband, and the fact that she possessed a legacy from her mother's great aunt made the task less onerous than it might once have been. Riona was under no illusions as to her attractiveness, since the attention paid her was in direct proportion to rumors of her dowry.

None of the men she'd met had made her daydream as Maureen did over Captain Hastings, or sigh in wonder at the thought of living with him all the days of her life. Not one man stood apart from any other. Not even Harold, although she was beginning to think that he would forever be memorable for the sheer tenacity of his suit.

"I thank you for the honor of your declaration, sir," she said by rote. One of many lessons she'd learned from Mrs. Parker.

Taking one step back, Riona encountered the trunk of a large tree. Harold wasted no time placing one hand at either side of her waist. She didn't feel threatened by him as much as annoyed, an emotion that only grew as he leaned down and breathed against her cheek.

"I'll love you for eternity," he said, panting heavily. She pushed against him, but he didn't budge.

Suddenly, he reached out with one hand and squeezed her breast, for all the world as if he'd found a peach to pluck. She slapped him away, but he refused to stop pawing her.

"You have a passionate nature. I've seen evidence of it in your eyes, Riona."

Raising her slipper, Riona stomped on his boot, but it seemed to have no effect on him at all. He only leaned forward and tried to kiss her in response.

Most of her life had been spent in Cormech, a small coastal town, as the daughter of a widowed woman. She'd learned early how to protect herself. Riona raised her knee and assaulted him.

When she'd returned to the others, irritated and beyond angry at Harold, the guests had stopped speaking. Instead, they'd begun to stare at her, the murmuring growing as the moments passed. She looked down at herself to find that the lace on her bodice had been torn ...