The Sword Dancer. Jeannie Lin

       Han grabbed hold of an ankle and she fell back onto the bed in a tangle of blue silk and gauze.

      Li Feng blinked up at him, dark eyes glittering. ‘Always you!’

      She was dressed like a courtesan, in one of those robes that appeared to be made out of paper-thin cloth and air. The silk had fallen from her shoulders, revealing smooth bare skin from her throat to the topmost swell of her breasts. Han prepared to defend himself as she reached for him.

      Instead of gouging his eyes out, her hands slipped past his to bury themselves into his hair. Li Feng dragged his head down, her gaze on him the entire time. Before he knew what was happening his mouth was pressed against soft, inviting lips.

      She tasted of cinnamon and the faint tang of cloves. Though he was positioned over her, his weight pinning her legs, he was the one who felt trapped. This was a ploy, he told himself, while his body greedily strained against her.

      Han lifted his head forcibly. ‘At any moment you’re going to slit my throat.’

      There was a glint in her eyes that was both predatory and playful. ‘Perhaps.’

       AUTHOR NOTE

      I’ve always found it sexy when a hero and heroine cannot only match wits, but also match swords.

      A common theme in Chinese adventure stories is the idea of the vigilante hero—a hero guided by honour and chivalry. But how much fun would it be to have the heroine in that role? And the hero, of course, would be the thief-catcher intent on capturing her.

      Often people ask me where I get my ideas. For this book the origin was a famous poem by the poet Du Fu of the Tang Dynasty, titled Observing the Sword Dance Performed by a Disciple of Madam Gongsun. The poem starts with a description of a mesmerising sword dance, then moves into a nostalgic look at how much has changed in fifty years like ‘the turn of a page’. The sword dance ultimately becomes a symbol of the end of a golden age.

      A final historical note: Wudang Mountain, which is mentioned in the book, is an actual location. In the Tang Dynasty the mountain was already established as a centre of Taoism. A Taoist master, Lu Dong Bin, known as the Sword Immortal, was also a famous figure of the Tang Dynasty. With these elements in mind, I took the liberty of associating my heroine’s sword-training as well as her Taoist upbringing with Wudang.

      I hope you enjoy the adventures of my sword dancer and thief-catcher as they chase their way across the cities and rivers of Tang Dynasty China. There’s no better place to fight and fall in love, in my humble opinion.

      For more information about the stories, or to contact me, visit me online at: www.jeannielin.com. I love receiving mail from readers!

      About the Author

      JEANNIE LIN grew up fascinated with stories of Western epic fantasy and Eastern martial arts adventures. When her best friend introduced her to romance novels in middle school the stage was set. Jeannie started writing her first romance while working as a high school science teacher in South Central Los Angeles. After four years of trying to break into publishing with an Asian-set historical, her 2009 Golden Heart^®–winning manuscript, BUTTERFLY SWORDS, was sold to Harlequin Mills & Boon.

      As a technical consultant, backpacker and vacation junkie, she’s travelled all over the United States as well as Europe, South Korea, Japan, China and Vietnam. She’s now happily settled in St Louis, with her wonderfully supportive husband, and continues to journey to exotic locations in her stories.

      You can visit Jeannie Lin online at: www.jeannielin.com

      

       Previous novels from this author:

      BUTTERFLY SWORDS

      THE DRAGON AND THE PEARL MY FAIR CONCUBINE

       Available in Mills & Boon^® Historical Undone! eBooks:

       THE TAMING OF MEI LIN

       THE LADY’S SCANDALOUS NIGHT

       CAPTURING THE SILKEN THIEF

       AN ILLICIT TEMPTATION

       Did you know that these novels are also available as eBooks? Visit www.millsandboon.co.uk

       The Sword Dancer

       Jeannie Lin

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      First of all, to my husband, Fritz.

      Though a dedication is a small prize after being dubbed ‘The Greatest Dad in the World’ (with the shirt to prove it), this book would not have been possible without your love, support and laughter.

      I must thank my editor Anna Boatman

      for her patience and guidance in helping me turn scattered ideas into a coherent story. Also a thank-you to Gail Fortune, my agent and avid cheerleader.

      THE SWORD DANCER wouldn’t have been possible

      without the tough love and critical eye of authors Bria Quinlan and Inez Kelley, as well as the continued support of my local critique group: Shawntelle Madison, Amanda Freeman, Kristi Lea and Dawn Blankenship.

      Thank you to Giovani Dambros and Phillip Puzzo

      from Team TRICKset for the information and demos on freerunning. For assistance in providing historical insight and extensive research materials I must credit wuxia author John Dishon.

      Though this story has many influences,

      I must give a nod to Jennifer Roberson’s fantasy novel Sword Dancer—the book that convinced me that there’s nothing sexier than a hero and heroine who can cross swords. And finally to Jackie Chan. Enough said.

       Chapter One

      Heaven and earth moved in tune with her rhythm.

      The sword flashed like Yi’s arrows that shot down the nine suns.

      She moved quickly and spiritedly like the dragon ridden by gods.

      Du Fu from ‘Observing the Sword Dance

      Performed by a Disciple of Madam Gongsun’

       Tang Dynasty China—AD 848

      Alone reed flute sang the opening melody. It was enough to hush the gathered crowd into silence. A dancer stood, still and patient, at the centre of the circle. The long sword poised in her hand captured the sunlight as an intermittent breeze fluttered through the peach-blossom silk of her tunic. It was as if nature had aligned itself with her for this performance.

      There was stillness again before the melody swelled. The musicians were situated at the edge of the clearing, blending into the crowd. All focus was on the dancer.

      The young woman gradually lifted one foot; knee curved outward, toes exquisitely pointed. Her free hand took on a classic lotus shape. Her expression remained tranquil. She held the position effortlessly, the graceful lines of her body belying the strength and discipline in the pose.

      Zheng Hao Han eyed the sword in her grasp. Its presence added a hint of tension and drama, and the crowd waited eagerly for the dancer to fulfil the promise. Performance troupes such as this one travelled from city to city and always drew a crowd.

      ‘An unworthy task for the illustrious Thief-catcher