It was no way for a self-respecting woman to behave, either. To be so flummoxed by a kiss. To have her legitimate and quite serious concerns turned into frilly bows and butterflies by a man’s mouth on hers. And it wouldn’t happen again.

Jack Hazard came to a halt. His dark face glowered down on her. “I apologize,” he snarled. “It won’t happen again, Mrs. Matlin. Mrs. Hazard. Whoever the hell you are.” He let go of her arm to drag his fingers through his hair.

Had the kiss affected him, too? There was a definite flush to his face that Anna had never seen, and his fingers trembled as they threaded through that shiny black hair. Jack Hazard, master spy, seemed nearly as unsettled as she…!

Dear Reader,

Welcome to Harlequin Historicals. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Mary McBride or have just discovered her, we know you’ll be delighted by her new book, Darling Jack, the touching tale of a handsome Pinkerton detective, driven by revenge, and the steady, unassuming file clerk who poses as his wife for an assignment Don’t let this terrific story slip by you.

Dulcie’s Gift, from Ruth Langan, is the prequel to the contemporary stories in the Harlequin cross-line continuity series, BRIDE’S BAY. When a boatful of women and children seek refuge on his island, Cal Jermain isn’t pleased with the added responsibility, especially when he finds himself falling for their secretive leader, Dulcie Trenton.

This month’s books also include a new medieval novel from Claire Delacroix, My Lady’s Champion, the story of a woman who must marry in order to protect her holdings, and a Western from newcomer Carolyn Davidson, Loving Katherine, about a lonely woman who has struggled to keep the family horse farm, and a drifter who teaches her that there’s more to life.

We hope you’ll keep a lookout for all four titles.

Sincerely,

Tracy Farrell Senior Editor

Please address questions and book requests to: Harlequin Reader Service

U.S.: 3010 Walden Ave., P.O Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269 Canadian: P.O. Box 609, Fort Erie, Ont L2A 5X3

Darling Jack

Mary McBride

www.millsandboon.co.uk

MARY McBRIDE

is a former special education teacher who lives in St. Louis, Missouri, with her husband and two young sons. She loves to correspond with readers and invites them to write to her at:

P.O. Box 411202

St Louis, MO 63141

With deep affection to my friends in The Lounge

Prologue

Anna Matlin was invisible.

As a child in the grim coal-mining hills of southern Illinois, she had learned her lessons well. In a family of thirteen, the squeaking wheel got backhanded and burdened with extra chores. In any forest, it was the tallest tree that suffered the lightning.

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Mary McBride – Darling Jack (страница 1)

Table of Contents

This was no way for a Pinkerton agent to behave,

Darling Jack Mary McBride

MARY McBRIDE

Prologue

Darling Jack

Mary McBride