The Stranger She Married

Available in Print

When her parents and only brother die within weeks of each other, Alicia and her younger sister are left in the hands of an uncle who has brought them all to financial and social ruin. Desperate to save her family from debtor's prison, Alicia vows to marry the first wealthy man to propose. She meets the dashing Lord Amesbury, and her heart whispers that this is the man she is destined to love, but his tainted past may forever stand in their way. Her choices in potential husbands narrow to either a scarred cripple with the heart of a poet, or a handsome rake with a deadly secret. Cole Amesbury is tormented by his own ghosts, and believes he is beyond redemption, yet he cannot deny his attraction for the girl whose genuine goodness touches the heart he'd thought long dead. He fears the scars in his soul cut so deeply that he may never be able to offer Alicia a love that is true. When yet another bizarre mishap threatens her life, Alicia suspects the seemingly unrelated accidents that have plagued her loved ones are actually a killer's attempt to exterminate every member of her family. Despite the threat looming over her, learning to love the stranger she married may pose the greatest danger to her heart.

Rose
PRINT ISBN 1-60154-334-4
(360 Pages) Rating (Sensual)

Excerpt:

As he looked down into Alicia Palmer's face, he had no doubt she would be worth any risk. Her sweet, unspoiled temperament touched him in a place he thought long dead.

He held out his hand. "Shall we?"

After she retrieved her reticule, he escorted her through the crowd to the retiring room. Cole waited outside the door, his tension building. He kept a tight rein on his anger, but it mounted like a raging river trapped behind a dam; rising, building, threatening to shatter the barrier. It took all his self control to remain there instead of seeking out Mr. Braxton and thrashing him. He would place Miss Palmer in the care of others and then go have a nice little tête à tête with Mr. Braxton.

When Miss Palmer emerged, she had perfectly composed herself. Her hair was smoothed back into place and her freshly washed face showed no trace of tears. Careful scrutiny revealed that her gown still showed signs of being crushed, but a casual glance might not discover it. However, a tiny bruise formed around her full, rosebud lips. Worse, her expressive eyes still revealed her terror.

The volcano of rage threatened to erupt, demanding action. Cole offered her his arm and patted her hand, hoping to give her some measure of comfort. He struggled to keep his touch gentle when a lust for enforcing his own code of justice left him shaking.

They found Mrs. Hancock gossiping in a circle of older ladies. "Back already, dear?"

Miss Palmer looked poised to flee. "Ah, we left a bit early."

"Captain Hawthorne decided to dance a few sets in your absence but he asked me to tell you he will return shortly to claim his dance."

Elizabeth joined them at that moment. "Alicia, Robert is here looking for you."

Miss Palmer noticeably brightened. "He's here?"

At that moment, a younger gentleman wearing an insolent grin approached Miss Palmer. "Evening, Lissie. Did you save me a dance?"

Cole's frown of disapproval for the man's cheekiness became one of puzzlement. He knew that young man from somewhere. A vague unease arose.

When the newcomer's gaze moved to Cole next to her, he paled visibly. "You!"

Miss Palmer gasped. "Robert Palmer, where are your manners?"

Of course. Robert Palmer. From London. Cold dread trickled across his heart as he considered the ramifications.

Maintaining his cool demeanor, Cole inclined his head. "Mr. Palmer."

"What are you doing here?" Palmer demanded.

Cole raised a brow. "Dancing. And you?"

Palmer took Alicia's arm. "Come with me, Lissie. We are leaving."

"Now see here--" Cole began, but Palmer pinned him with a dangerous glare.

"Stay away from my cousin. Haven't you done enough?"

"Your cousin?" Cole looked from him to Miss Palmer and understanding dawned. He cursed under his breath. He hadn't been aware Armand Palmer had a sister. Not that he'd bothered to find out. He glanced at Alicia Palmer. The ramifications he'd considered a moment ago took a more serious turn.

Palmer shot Cole a venomous glare and took the girl by the arm. Anger rolled off his body as he led her out of the ballroom. Wanting desperately to explain, Cole followed them out into the foyer, away from the others.

After sending Cole a look of apology, Miss Palmer dug in her heels. "Robert, explain yourself."

Cole remained rooted to the floor and waited for the condemning stare she would surely turn upon him.

Palmer trembled in rage. "That's Cole Amesbury."

"Yes, I know." She looked back at Cole again, clearly puzzled.

Palmer spoke quietly, but Cole heard every word. "He's the scoundrel who shot your twin."