Lucas's Convenient Bride. Susan Mallery

      Return to 1800’s Defiance, Colorado, in this beguiling story of finding love in the most unexpected places from #1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery

      Lucas and Jackson MacIntyre stand to inherit the saloon, gold mine and ranch that define the town of Defiance, Colorado. There’s just one problem: the uncle who has left them the properties created a clause in his will stipulating that both brothers must marry if they want to claim their inheritance.

      Emily Smythe knew she’d likely never marry, and she’s moved to Colorado to prove her independence from her family. She has a shrewd business sense, so when she approaches Lucas about turning the saloon’s vacant upper level into a hotel, he sees the logic in the idea. Lucas has a proposition for Emily, too: become his wife in name only so that he can claim his inheritance, and she can run her hotel in his saloon. But though the marriage may be a business arrangement, Lucas soon finds it difficult to resist his new wife…

       Previously Published Historical Novel.

       Praise for SUSAN MALLERY

      “Susan Mallery is warmth and wit personified. Always a fabulous read.”

      —New York Times bestselling author Christina Dodd

      “Ms. Mallery’s unique writing style shines via vivid characters, layered disharmony and plenty of spice.”

      —Romantic Times Magazine

       Lucas’s Convenient Bride

      Susan Mallery

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

       CONTENTS

       Cover

       Back Cover Text

Praise for Susan Mallery

       Title Page

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

       Chapter Four

       Chapter Five

       Chapter Six

       Chapter Seven

       Chapter Eight

       Chapter Nine

       Chapter Ten

       Extract

       Copyright

       Chapter One

      Defiance, Colorado, 1875

      Emily Smythe was more than ready to dance with the devil—if only he weren’t so large. Still, walking away now would be nigh on to shirking and she’d never once shirked in her life. She squared her thin shoulders, raised her chin and told herself that she had righteousness on her side. Righteousness and a plan. With the right plan, a person could take on the devil himself and win.

      Ignoring the trembling of her limbs and the way her stomach seemed to be jumping around inside her, she pushed through the swinging doors of the Silver Slipper saloon and stepped into a smoky world.

      She had a brief impression of a much larger crowd than she’d expected for a midweek afternoon. There were at least two dozen tables spread out around the main part of the room, nearly all of them occupied. On the far side of the saloon, men sat playing cards. Gambling, she thought with both distaste and shock. Gambling in the middle of the day. Who could imagine such a thing?

      Her gaze drifted right and she saw the long, wide bar that stretched the length of the room. It was polished wood, nearly chest high and crowded with men. Behind the bar she saw mirrors, dozens of bottles of liquor and a big bear of man. Lucas MacIntyre, the devil himself.

      Emily pursed her lips together in disapproval as she took in the tall, muscular man dressed in black trousers, a white shirt and fancy red vest. Lucas MacIntyre didn’t wear a coat like a respectable man, but considering he operated a saloon, allowed gambling and sold spirits, she doubted the lack of formal attire would be noticed on his very long, very serious list of transgressions.

      A voice in her head screamed at her to turn around and leave before anyone noticed her. She didn’t belong here—she couldn’t possibly do this. Yet she knew she didn’t have a choice. Lucas MacIntyre was her only hope for success and she didn’t allow herself to think of failure. She had right on her side. She was a hard worker and she had her plan. She would make him listen, then she would make him agree. All without giving in to the very real temptation to turn on her heel and run.

      Emily raised her chin one more notch, sucked in a breath and made her way to the bar. She knew the exact moment that the men in the saloon noticed her presence. There was a heartbeat of excruciating silence followed by an explosion of voices. The crowd in front of the bar parted to allow her access. She marched directly forward, looking neither left nor right, until she could press her hands against the arm rail, then cleared her throat.

      “Mr. MacIntyre, may I have a word with you?”

      At the sound of her voice, the crowd grew quiet again. Lucas MacIntyre stood with his back to the room, polishing a freshly washed glass. In the time it took him to turn to look at her, she was able to surreptitiously glance about, noticing that while the smell of liquor and cigars was most unpleasant, the saloon was much tidier than she had imagined. The floor appeared to be freshly swept and the glasses were clean. Perhaps Mr. MacIntyre was a man with whom she could reason.

      He turned slowly, first putting down the glass then taking the two steps to the bar. It was only when he reached the polished wood that he settled his gaze on her.

      She knew the man by reputation but wasn’t sure she’d ever actually seen him around town. Or if she had, she’d never really looked at him. He was tall and broad shouldered, which she already knew, but he was also handsome. Sinfully so. He had strong features with large, dark blue eyes and a full-lipped mouth topped by a silky brown moustache.

      He looked her up and down, as if she was some kind of horse for sale, then he smiled.

      “I’m going to guess you’re lost, ma’am. Because you don’t look like you’re from Miss