The Prize. Brenda Joyce

tion>

      

      Praise for

       BRENDA JOYCE

       and her de Warenne dynasty

      The Prize

      “Joyce writes lush stories with larger-than-life characters and a depth of sensuality and emotion that touches chords within the reader and keeps them coming back for more.”

      —Romantic Times BOOKreviews

      The Masquerade

      “Jane Austen aficionados will delve happily into heroine Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’ Fitzgerald’s family…. Joyce’s tale of the dangers and delights of passion fulfilled will enchant those who like their reads long and rich.”

      —Publishers Weekly

      “A passionate tale of two lovers caught up in a web of secrets, deceptions, and lies. Readers who love the bold historicals by Rosemary Rogers and Kathleen Woodiwiss will find much to savor here.”

      —Booklist

      “An intensely emotional and engrossing romance where love overcomes deceit, scandal and pride…an intelligent love story with smart, appealing and strong characters. Readers will savor this latest from a grand mistress of the genre.”

      —Romantic Times BOOKreviews

      The Stolen Bride

      “Joyce’s characters carry considerable emotional weight, which keeps this hefty entry absorbing, and her fast-paced story keeps the pages turning.”

      —Publishers Weekly

      “A powerfully executed romance overflowing with the strength of prose, high degree of sensuality and emotional intensity we expect from Joyce. A ‘keeper’ for sure.”

      —Romantic Times BOOKreviews

      A Lady at Last

      “Romance veteran Joyce brings her keen sense of humor and storytelling prowess to bear on her witty, fully formed characters.”

      —Publishers Weekly

      A “classic Pygmalion tale with an extra soupçon of eroticism.”

      —Booklist

      “A warm, wonderfully sensual feast about the joys and pains of falling in love. Joyce breathes life into extraordinary characters—from her sprightly Cinderella heroine and roguish hero to everyone in between—then sets them in the glittering Regency, where anything can happen.”

      —Romantic Times BOOKreviews

      The Perfect Bride

      “Another first-rate Regency, featuring multidimensional protagonists and sweeping drama…. Entirely fluff-free, Joyce’s tight plot and vivid cast combine for a romance that’s just about perfect.”

      —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

      “Truly a stirring story with wonderfully etched characters, Joyce’s latest is Regency romance at its best.”

      —Booklist

      “Joyce’s latest is a piece of perfection as she meticulously crafts a tender and emotionally powerful love story. Passion and pain erupt from the pages and flow straight into your heart. You won’t forget this beautifully rendered love story of lost souls and redemption.”

      —Romantic Times BOOKreviews

      A Dangerous Love

      “The latest de Warenne novel is pure Joyce with its trademark blend of searing sensuality, wild escapades and unforgettable characters. You’ll find warmth and romance alongside intense emotions and powerful relationships. It’s a story you won’t easily forget.”

      —Romantic Times BOOKreviews

      Brenda Joyce

      NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR

      The Prize

      This one’s for Aaron Priest and Lucy Childs

      The best team in town! Thanks for getting me back

       on track and where I belong—writing about bygone

       times, alpha men and the women who dare to brave

       all to love them….

      CONTENTS

      PROLOGUE

      PART ONE: THE CAPTIVE

      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

      PART TWO: THE BARGAIN

      CHAPTER SIXTEEN

      CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

      CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

      CHAPTER NINETEEN

      CHAPTER TWENTY

      CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

      CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

      PART THREE: THE BRIDE

      CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

      CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

      CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

      CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

      CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

      CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

      CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

      AUTHOR’S NOTE

      PROLOGUE

      July 5, 1798

      The south of Ireland near Askeaton Castle

      GERALD O’NEILL RUSHED INTO the manor house, his once-white shirt crimson, his tan britches and navy coat equally stained. Blood marred his cheek, matted his whiskers. An open gash on his head was bleeding and so were the cuts on his knuckles. His heart beat with alarming force and even now the sounds of battle, the cries of imminent death, rang in his eardrums. “Mary! Mary! Get into the cellar now!” he roared.

      Devlin O’Neill could not move, stunned. His father had been gone for more than a month—since the middle of May. He had sent word, though, every few weeks, and while Devlin was only ten years old, he was acutely aware of the war at hand. Farmer and priest, shepherd and squire, peasant and gentry alike had risen up to fight the English devils once and for all, to take back all that was truly theirs—the rich Irish land that had been stolen from them a century ago. There was so much hope—and there was so much fear.

      Now his heart seemed to simply stop and he stared at his father, relieved to finally see him again and terribly afraid. He was afraid that Gerald was hurt—and he was afraid of far worse. He started forward with a small cry, but Gerald did not stop moving, going to the bottom of the stairs and bellowing for his wife again. His hand never left the scabbard that sheathed his cutlass, and he carried a musket as well.

      Devlin had never seen his eyes so wild. Dear God.

      “Is Father hurt?” a tiny voice whispered beside him, a small hand plucking at his torn linen sleeve.

      Devlin didn’t even look at his dark-haired younger brother. He could not