“But I wanted to be with you.” He knew he could not have done much but worry, yet it seemed wrong that his child’s birth should be so close and him not know.
“You are with me now.” Maura’s features began to tense. “You have a country to run, remember? And I have been in Sorsha’s capable hands.”
Her tired smile twisted into a grimace.
“Are you in much pain?” Rath nudged a moist curl off her brow.
Her lips were clenched too tight to reply, but she gave him her answer by nearly crushing the bones of his hand in her grip. Once the birth pang passed, she sank back onto the pillow and raised his throbbing fingers to her lips.
“When have you known me to let the fear of pain keep me from what I want?” Maura echoed the words she had spoken to him on the night he’d first claimed her for his own. That had been the happiest day of Rath’s life…until now.
There was every bit as much pain in bearing a baby as there was pleasure in breeding it. The thought ran through Maura’s mind as she clung to Rath’s hand through several more pangs, each longer and harder than the last.
Then Sorsha bid her tuck up her knees and try to push, promising it would not last much longer. It still seemed like a long time to Maura until her baby came squirming and wriggling into the world.
“She looks more like an outlaw than a princess,” Rath teased with a look of proud befuddlement on his face when he held his daughter for the first time.
The tiny creature seized his finger. “She has a grip like one, too!”
“Shall we still call her Abrielle, as we planned?” Maura chuckled. “Or would you prefer Ratha…or Vangette. Something with a fierce, outlaw ring?”
“Don’t listen to your mother,” Rath told the baby as if she could understand him. “Abrielle was a strong woman and clever and brave. It is a fit name for you.”
The infant gave a lusty squall.
“I reckon your wee princess is hungry,” said Sorsha, who was busy getting Maura clean and comfortable after the birth.
“What is that outlaw saying?” asked Maura as Rath settled her daughter in her arms. “About always eating and drinking when you have the chance?”
She lowered her shift and watched with contentment as the child rooted for her bosom and began to suckle.
A great rumble of noise sounded outside the window.
“What is that?” Maura asked.
“Why, the drums and horns announcing the birth of our heir.” Rath pressed a tender kiss to her brow.
How would their subjects feel about the news? Maura wondered. She and Rath had revealed the truth of her parentage and been assured it would not stand in the way of her being queen. Still…a stubborn qualm of doubt lingered in her own mind.
As suddenly as they had begun, the clamor of the horns and drums stopped. Then, after an instant of silence, wave after wave of joyful cheering greeted the news.
“You hear that?” murmured Rath. “They love you both almost as much as I do.”
Maura let a few tears fall as she heaved a sweet sigh of fulfillment. She thought back to her crowning ceremony and the sense she’d had that day of her and Rath being wed to their subjects. Now she was a mother, too. Not just of little Abrielle, but of a whole kingdom.
And any fear she might have felt at that great responsibility was swept away by a powerful wave of happiness.
COMING NEXT MONTH
Be enthralled, moved, thrilled, delighted…and satisfied by exceptional reads from outstanding authors and well-loved series.
Come back every two weeks for newly released selections in eight varied categories offering stories that appeal to every taste and mood.
Have a great time!
AVAILABLE NOW
Showcase
Enthralling stories by the brightest stars in women’s fiction—from MIRA Books, and big romances that sweep you away—from HQN Books
KILLER TAKES ALL by Erica Spindler, MIRA (psychological thriller)
BEFORE SUNRISE by Diana Palmer (contemporary romance)
DARK SKY by Carla Neggers, MIRA (romantic suspense)
50 HARBOR STREET by Debbie Macomber, MIRA (women’s fiction)
GHOST WALK by Heather Graham, MIRA (paranormal mystery)
Sexy Reads
Powerful, provocative tales full of heat and passion—from Harlequin Blaze, Silhouette Desire and Harlequin Presents
THE ITALIAN’S STOLEN BRIDE by Emma Darcy, Harlequin Presents
UNCONTROLLABLE by Susan Kearney, Harlequin Blaze
WHATEVER RILEY WANTS by Maureen Child, Silhouette Desire
SEXY ALL OVER by Jamie Sobrato, Harlequin Blaze
HOT TO THE TOUCH by Jennifer Greene, Silhouette Desire
TALKING ABOUT SEX…by Vicki Lewis Thompson, Harlequin Blaze
Romantic Suspense
Danger…romance…adventure…suspense! Stories that will take your breath away—from Harlequin Intrigue and Silhouette Intimate Moments
MAN OF HER DREAMS by Debra Webb, Harlequin Intrigue
LOVING THE LONE WOLF by Ingrid Weaver, Silhouette Intimate Moments
GHOST HORSE by Patricia Rosemoor, Harlequin Intrigue
SUSPICIOUS by Heather Graham, Silhouette Intimate Moments
RIDER ON FIRE by Sharon Sala, Silhouette Intimate Moments
Inspirational
Stories of faith, hope and love that warm the heart and nourish the soul—from Steeple Hill Love Inspired and compelling suspense—from Love Inspired Suspense
LOVING FEELINGS by Gail Gaymer Martin, Steeple Hill Love Inspired
FOR THE TWINS’ SAKE by Jillian Hart, Steeple Hill Love Inspired
NOTE OF PERIL by Hannah Alexander, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense
UNDER COVER OF DARKNESS by Elizabeth White, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense
BLACK HILLS BRIDE by Deb Kastner, Steeple Hill Love Inspired
WINDINGO TWILIGHT by Colleen Rhoads, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense
STORM CLOUDS by Cheryl Wolverton, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense
Women’s Fiction
Books that celebrate the “next” stage of women’s lives…because every life has a second chapter! From Harlequin Next
THERE’S ALWAYS PLAN B by Susan Mallery, Harlequin Next
RIGGS PARK by Ellyn Bache, Harlequin, Next
CUTTING THROUGH by Joan Hohl, Harlequin Next
THE ME I USED TO BE by Jennifer Archer, Harlequin Next
Women’s Action Adventure
Strong, sexy, savvy heroines who save the day…and always get their man. From Silhouette Bombshell
ONCE A THIEF by Michele Hauf, Silhouette Bombshell
HOT PURSUIT by Kathryn Jensen, Silhouette Bombshell
DEVIL’S BARGAIN by Rachel Caine, Silhouette Bombshell
THE GOLDEN GIRL by Erica Orloff, Silhouette Bombshell
Chick Lit
Women’s fiction with attitude, these humorous, edgy, hip stories celebrate life’s little curves…From Red Dress Ink
WITH OR WITHOUT YOU by Carole Matthews, Red Dress Ink
KILLER SUMMER by Lynda Curnyn, Red Dress Ink
DO THEY WEAR HIGH HEELS IN HEAVEN? By Erica Orloff, Red Dress Ink
Fantasy/Science Fiction
Powerful, magical tales, vivid characters and richly imagined worlds from the first imprint solely dedicated to female focused fantasy—Luna Books
THE DESTINED QUEEN by Deborah Hale, LUNA
URBAN SHAMAN by C.E. Murphy, LUNA
POISON STUDY by Maria V. Snyder, LUNA
ON SALE OCTOBER 1ST
Showcase
Enthralling stories by the brightest stars in women’s fiction—from MIRA Books, and big romances that sweep you away—from HQN Books
MASQUERADE by Brenda Joyce, HQN Books (historical romance)
Romantic Suspense
Danger…romance…adventure…suspense! Stories that will take your breath away—from
SECURITY MEASURES by Joanna Wayne, Harlequin Intrigue
Inspirational
Stories of faith, hope and love that warm the heart and nourish the soul—from Steeple Hill Love Inspired and compelling suspense—from Love Inspired Suspense
DIE BEFORE NIGHTFALL by Shirlee McCoy, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense
Women’s Fiction
Books that celebrate the “next” stage of women’s lives…because every life has a second chapter! From Harlequin Next
PELICAN BAY by Charlotte Douglas, Harlequin Next
Fantasy/Science Fiction
Powerful, magical tales, vivid characters and richly imagined worlds from the first imprint solely dedicated to female focused fantasy—Luna Books
IN STONE’S CLASP by Christie Golden, LUNA
ON SALE OCTOBER 15TH
Sexy Reads
Powerful, provocative tales full of heat and passion—from Harlequin Blaze, Silhouette Desire and Harlequin Presents
THE TYCOON’S TROPHY WIFE by Miranda Lee, Harlequin Presents
Inspirational
Stories of faith, hope and love that warm the heart and nourish the soul—from Steeple Hill Love Inspired and compelling suspense—from Love Inspired Suspense
DECK THE HALLS by Arlene James, Steeple Hill Love Inspired
Women’s Action Adventure
Strong, sexy, savvy heroines who save the day…and always get their man. From Silhouette Bombshell
FLAWLESS by Michele Hauf, Silhouette Bombshell
Chic Lit
Women’s fiction with attitude, these humorous, edgy, hip stories celebrate life’s little curves…From Red Dress Ink
THE NIGHT I GOT LUCKY by Laura Caldwell, Red Dress Ink