The Tycoon and the Townie. Elizabeth Lane

      Table of Contents

       Cover Page

       Title Page

       Excerpt

Dear Reader

       Dedication

       About the Author

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

       Chapter Four

       Chapter Five

       Chapter Six

       Chapter Seven

       Chapter Eight

       Chapter Nine

       Chapter Ten

       Epilogue

       Copyright

      The Tycoon and the Townie

      Elizabeth Lane

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

       “Make the most of it, lady,”

      Jeff challenged. “Put on your flashiest dress and come with me to the yacht club party on Saturday.”

      

      Kate had sensed what was coming. All the same, she felt her stomach clench. “Jeff, it’s not that simple,” she muttered. “I can’t just—”

      

      “Come on. Yes, you can,” Jeff urged.

      

      “But what about all those people? What about your mother, for heaven’s sake? I know what she thinks of me.”

      “Kate, don’t let these people intimidate you,” he said.

      

      “I’m not intimidated. Not by anyone.”

      

      “Then prove it. Because when I walk into that place with you on my arm,” Jeff went on, “lady, we’re going to knock their socks off!”

      Dear Reader,

      This month, Silhouette Romance has six irresistible, emotional and heartwarming love stories for you, starting with our FABULOUS FATHERS title, Wanted: One Son by Laurie Paige. Deputy sheriff Nick Dorelli had watched the woman he loved marry another and have that man’s child. But now, mother and child need Nick. Next is The Bride Price by bestselling author Suzanne Carey. Kyra Martin has fuzzy memories of having just married her Navajo ex-fiancé in a traditional wedding ceremony. And when she discovers she’s expecting his child, she knows her dream was not only real…but had mysteriously come true! We also have two notto-be missed new miniseries starting this month, beginning with Miss Prim’s Untamable Cowboy, book 1 of THE BRUBAKER BRIDES by Carolyn Zane. A prim image consultant tries to tame a very masculine working-class wrangler into the true Texas millionaire tycoon he really is. Good luck, Miss Prim!

      In Only Bachelors Need Apply by Charlotte Maclay, a manshy woman’s handsome new neighbor has some secrets that will make her the happiest woman in the world, and in The Tycoon and the Townie by Elizabeth Lane, a struggling waitress from the wrong side of the tracks is romanced by a handsome, wealthy bachelor. Finally, our other new miniseries, ROYAL WEDDINGS by Lisa Kaye Laurel. The lovely caretaker of a royal castle finds herself a prince’s bride-to-be during a ball…with high hopes for happily ever after in The Prince’s Bride.

      I hope you enjoy all six of Silhouette Romance’s terrific novels this month…and every month.

      

      Regards,

      

      Melissa Senate,

      Senior Editor

      Please address questions and book requests to:

      Silhouette Reader Service

      U.S.: 3010 Walden Ave., P.O. Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269

      Canadian: P.O. Box 609, Fort Erie, Ont. L2A 5X3

      To Millicent, my very first guide to the world of fairies, mermaids and other marvels.

       ELIZABETH LANE

      has traveled extensively in Latin America, Europe and China, and enjoys bringing these exotic locales to life on the printed page, but she also finds her home state of Utah and other areas of the American West to be fascinating sources for historical romance. Elizabeth loves such diverse activities as hiking and playing the piano, not to mention her latest hobby—belly dancing.

       Chapter One

      “Excuse me, but is my nose on straight?”

      The raspy-cello voice was so sensual that for an instant Jefferson Parrish III thought he must still be dreaming. Lulled by cool Atlantic breezes, he had dozed off in one of the big Adirondack chairs on the open verandah, only to be startled awake by this libido-tickling Greta Garbo voice.

      A voice that appeared to be coming from a clown.

      “What the devil…?” Jeff blinked himself fully awake, expecting the clown to vaporize. No such luck.

      “I need to make sure my nose is on straight. I bumped it getting out of the Jeep. Quick—take a look!”

      Too startled to argue, Jeff did as he was told. The clown was certainly no Bozo, he observed. Or Ronald McDonald, either. Short and pudgy in a tie-dyed, padded suit and ragged purple wig, she couldn’t have stretched over five foot three. White greasepaint and a round, red, rubber nose hid whatever features she might possess—except for her eyes. Surrounded by painted circles, they blazed like oversize twin aquamarines.

      Fine and dandy, Jeff groused, easing out of the chair and stretching to his husky six-foot height. But unless