Highland Hearts by Hannah Howell

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Bestselling author Hannah Howell laid claim to the romantic realm of heather and plaid with Highland Knight and Highland Vow. Here she returns to the ruggedly romantic Highlands of Scotland with a tale of a noblewoman and a knight who start as foes and end as lovers. Embroiled unwillingly in a plot to overthrow King James II by her Scottish uncle, Contessa Tess Delgado takes her life into her hands to free Sir Revan Halyard, a loyalist knight, from her guardian's dungeon. When Revan kidnaps her during his escape, however, he saves her in return -- for Tess's uncle has more than treason on his mind. He'd love to end his willful niece's life and claim her vast inheritance. Set in a time of countless dangers, intrigue, and treachery, in a land both hostile and breathtakingly beautiful, Highland Hearts tells a story of bold risks taken for king, for country, and for love.

From the Publisher

"Few authors portray the Scottish highlands as lovingly or colorfully as Hannah Howell."
--Publishers Weekly

New York Times Bestselling Author Hannah Howell

A villainous rogue abducts Contessa Tess from her uncle's castle in the Scottish highlands, and when he reveals her uncle's terrifying plans, she follows him into a whirlwind of adventure and realizes that there is a hero beneath his criminal facade.

Publishers Weekly

Following the exploits of a proud knight and a spirited young heiress, this fast-paced Highland adventure, the second in Howell's newest trilogy (after Highland Knight), is a bracing blend of high suspense and sizzling romance. When Contessa Delgado releases Sir Revan Halyard from her guardian uncle's dungeon, he demonstrates his gratitude by taking her hostage. Ironically, she finds she's safer in Revan's company than in Uncle Thurkettle's keep; her uncle, after all, planned to kill her so that he and his avaricious daughter could control the lands and fortune Tess inherited after her parents died. While hiding out in a remote cave, Tess learns that Revan is a spy for the crown and that he suspects her uncle of consorting with a clan plotting to overthrow King James II. A strong romantic bond builds between Tess and Revan as they attempt to dispatch the traitors but, in the end, her inheritance proves to be their biggest stumbling block. Revan, a younger son short on land but long on pride, refuses to marry Tess until he has property of his own, and it's up to Tess and her amiable clansmen to convince him that marrying into money for love is not a crime. Howell's deft use of period dialogue lends the book a tangible sense of time and place, and her protagonists' spirited interactions will swiftly endear them to readers. (Feb.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Product Details

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Table of Contents

Read an Excerpt

"Why dinna ye sit by the fire, and I will prepare us a meal," Revan said.

"I am sitting by the fire."

The movement of her lips against the side of his neck was one time too many. Had he really felt her tongue briefly, tentatively, stroke his skin? Every desire he had tried to control during their sojourn in the cave was running wild.

"Dinna do it, Revan," he muttered to himself even as he smoothed his hand over her thick, unbound hair.

Leaning back just a little, Tess stared up at him. "Dinna do what?"

His eyes were a stormy gray, and the look they held stirred her blood as much as his hands. She placed her hands on his chest, lightly caressing its smooth, taut breadth. Beneath her hand she could feel the quickening of his heartbeat. He wanted her. It was a heady realization.

"Kiss you," he whispered, his gaze falling to her full mouth. "Dinna kiss you."

Despite her innocence, she knew he was hungering for far more than a kiss. If they did kiss, it would not stop there. She told herself what she was thinking was sinful. It was not right. It was not wise. It was simply asking for trouble and heartbreak.

But none of that mattered.

She slowly ran her tongue over her lips and heard him inhale sharply. Seeing how she could affect him helped make her decision. It might be only passion, at least on his part, but instinct told her she would find none to equal it. She would take whatever was offered, take it now, and worry about the future later....