Halloween Knight. Tori Phillips

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      “Hell’s bells!”

      She groaned. “What’s amiss?”

      Mark rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. “Tis dawn,” he began, glancing over to Belle. “You were supposed to—” He stared at her naked shoulders with growing shock. “God’s teeth!” he bellowed. He leapt out of bed, the blood pounding against his temples. “Are you…naked under that?” She couldn’t be! His heartbeat quickened at the speculation.

      Belle lay back against her pillow, revealing a hint of the shadow between her breasts. Mark’s breath came out in short gasps.

      She folded her hands over her stomach. “Of course. What did you expect?” she replied.

      God save me! Mark backed farther away, nearly stepping into the cooling ashes of last night’s fire. What did I do to her? “What happened?”

      Belle’s pink lips puckered with annoyance. “Methought you would awake happier than this. After all, I gave you what you most desired…!”

      Dear Reader,

      In keeping with the season, this month’s Halloween Knight features a bewitching heroine, a haunted castle and an inspired cat. Widow Belle Cavendish is being held by her evil brother-in-law, and it’s up to a young knight and his companions to save the day. Maggie Award-winning author Tori Phillips is up to her old tricks with this delightful tale of rescue that culminates in a Halloween banquet full of surprises!

      USA Today bestselling author Margaret Moore returns with her new Regency, The Duke’s Desire—the story of reunited lovers who must suppress the flames of passion that threaten to destroy both their reputations. For Medieval fans, Dryden’s Bride by Margo Maguire features a lively noblewoman en route to a convent who takes a detour when she falls in love with a noble knight. And for our Western readers, Liz Ireland’s Trouble in Paradise, with a pregnant heroine and a bachelor hero, is out there waiting for you to pick up and enjoy.

      Whatever your taste in historicals, look for all four Harlequin Historicals at your nearby book outlet.

      Sincerely,

      Tracy Farrell

      Senior Editor

      Halloween Knight

      Tori Phillips

      

www.millsandboon.co.uk

      Available from Harlequin Historicals and TORI PHILLIPS

      Fool’s Paradise #307

      *Silent Knight #343

      *Midsummer’s Knight #415

      *Three Dog Knight #438

      *Lady of the Knight #476

      *Halloween Knight #527

      To five young heroines-in-training,

      Rachel, Ashley & Katrina Bigelow; Alyssia & Gillian Eiserman; with love from their godmother.

      Contents

       Chapter One

       Chapter Two

       Chapter Three

       Chapter Four

       Chapter Five

       Chapter Six

       Chapter Seven

       Chapter Eight

       Chapter Nine

       Chapter Ten

       Chapter Eleven

       Chapter Twelve

       Chapter Thirteen

       Chapter Fourteen

       Chapter Fifteen

       Chapter Sixteen

       Chapter Seventeen

       Chapter Eighteen

       Chapter Nineteen

       Chapter Twenty

       Chapter Twenty-One

       Epilogue

       Afterword

      The time when screech owls cry, ban dogs howl and spirits walk.

      —HENRY VI PART 2

      Chapter One

      Wolf Hall, Northumberland, England

      Late September 1542

      “You come none too soon, Mark.” The bed ropes creaked as Sir Brandon Cavendish shifted his weight. He did not bother to mask his grimace of pain from his former squire.

      Sir Mark Hayward, lately returned from Ireland after a fruitless seven years seeking riches and honor in His Majesty’s service, offered his arm to his bedridden mentor. “Your message smacked of urgency, my lord. I rode posthaste from London. Thank God the roads were dry.” He eased Brandon nearer to the bedside table. “Am I to avenge you against the blackguard who broke your hip?” he asked with a grin.

      Brandon lay back against a flock of bolsters and closed his eyes for a moment. “Belle’s in trouble,” he announced without a preamble. “At least, methinks she is.”

      Mark groaned inwardly. He had known Brandon’s natural daughter ever since the little minx first appeared at Wolf Hall dressed in a ragged infant’s gown. LaBelle Marie Cavendish attracted disasters like honey drew bears.

      “Tis an old tale twice-told, my lord,” he muttered. He sipped his mulled cider to steady his nerves. “Methought Belle was married a few years ago. Her troubles should be her husband’s now.”Poor sot!

      Opening his eyes, Brandon leveled an icy blue glare at the younger man. “She was. The boy’s dead. Thereby hangs the reason for her present distress.”