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At The Rancher's Bidding
Charlotte Maclay
Brides of the Desert Rose:Return to the scene of scandals and seduction in this follow-up to the bestselling TEXAS SHEIKHS series.The Princess in DisguisePrincess Allie Bahram just couldn't go through with her impending royal arranged marriage–at least, not before experiencing a taste of freedom. So she posed as her lady-in-waiting Leila and took a job on Cord Brannigan's ranch. But she never expected the handsome cowboy to ignite a breathless passion she'd never known. As a princess, Allie wouldn't have a chance with Cord, but as Leila she could follow her heart. Yet when Cord learned Allie wasn't who she claimed to be, would he fire her as the housekeeper…or keep her on as his bride?
If only she could read Cord’s heart
In her country, if a man discovered her masquerade, he would return her immediately to her brother for fear of political repercussions. The sheikh’s influence was powerful, and so was her intended groom’s.
Allie knew America was different and far from Munir. But Cord’s neighbors were conducting business with her brother Rafe; the Coleman family might urge Cord to send her home even if he didn’t wish to do so himself.
Men, it seemed to her, always stuck together.
Despite Cord’s suspicions, she dared not tell Cord the truth. Not yet. Not until she had no other choice.
Yet it was her own heart that troubled her the most. The yearning she had felt as Cord caressed her palms. Her desperate urge to place her lips on his.
To experience for the first time a man’s kiss…
Dear Reader,
Heartwarming, emotional, compelling…these are all words that describe Harlequin American Romance. Check out this month’s stellar selection of love stories, which are sure to please.
First, the BRIDES OF THE DESERT ROSE continuity series continues with At the Rancher’s Bidding by Charlotte Maclay. In the delightful story, a princess masquerades as her lady-in-waiting to save herself from an arranged marriage—and ends up falling for a rugged rancher.
Also available this month, bestselling author Judy Christenberry’s Randall Honor resumes her successful BRIDES FOR BROTHERS series about the Randall family of Wyoming. Although they’d shared a night of passion, Victoria Randall wasn’t in the market for a husband…and Dr. Jon Wilson had some serious romancing to do if he was going to get this Randall woman to love and honor him!
Next, when an heiress-in-disguise overhears a handsome executive bet his friend that he could win any woman—including her—she’s determined to teach him a lesson. Don’t miss Catching the Corporate Playboy by Michele Dunaway. And rounding out the month is Stranded at Cupid’s Hideaway, a wonderful reunion romance story from talented author Connie Lane, making her series romance debut.
Best,
Melissa Jeglinski
Associate Senior Editor
Harlequin American Romance
At the Rancher’s Bidding
Charlotte Maclay
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Charlotte Maclay can’t resist a happy ending. That’s why she’s had such fun writing more than twenty titles for Harlequin American Romance, Duets and Love & Laughter, plus several Silhouette Romance books, as well. Particularly well-known for her volunteer efforts in her hometown of Torrance, California, Charlotte says her philosophy is that you should make a difference in your community. She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, whom they are occasionally allowed to baby-sit. She loves to hear from readers and can be reached at P.O. Box 505, Torrance, CA 90508.
Books by Charlotte Maclay
HARLEQUIN AMERICAN ROMANCE
474—THE VILLAIN’S LADY
488—A GHOSTLY AFFAIR
503—ELUSIVE TREASURE
532—MICHAEL’S MAGIC
537—THE KIDNAPPED BRIDE
566—HOW TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE
585—THE COWBOY & THE BELLY DANCER
620—THE BEWITCHING BACHELOR
643—WANTED: A DAD TO BRAG ABOUT
657—THE LITTLEST ANGEL
684—STEALING SAMANTHA
709—CATCHING A DADDY
728—A LITTLE BIT PREGNANT
743—THE HOG-TIED GROOM
766—DADDY’S LITTLE COWGIRL
788—DEPUTY DADDY
806—A DADDY FOR BECKY
821—THE RIGHT COWBOY’S BED* (#litres_trial_promo)
825—IN A COWBOY’S EMBRACE* (#litres_trial_promo)
886—BOLD AND BRAVE-HEARTED** (#litres_trial_promo)
890—WITH VALOR AND DEVOTION** (#litres_trial_promo)
894—BETWEEN HONOR AND DUTY** (#litres_trial_promo)
915—WITH COURAGE AND COMMITMENT** (#litres_trial_promo)
929—AT THE RANCHER’S BIDDING
Contents
Chapter One (#u8b4dee92-2839-5550-a725-77af43f5444a)
Chapter Two (#ud3657afd-6efb-5523-a0ec-6a5336ad5acc)
Chapter Three (#ud6433f44-32e1-5132-8639-fe4727cbd1ae)
Chapter Four (#u15bdecf7-03a6-5399-a0cc-c73f0d40c75f)
Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter One
She had one chance to experience freedom and a small taste of independence. She intended to seize that opportunity for as long as she could hold on to it.
The heat of summer pressing down on her, Princess Aliah Bahram hurried across the grounds of the Desert Rose Ranch, following her brother, Sheikh Ashraf. As she ran, the gold bracelets on her arm jingled and her necklaces moved against her throat.
The sheikh was making his daily visit to the Coleman stables to check on the mare pregnant with the foal he had agreed to purchase. Completely enamored by the award-winning Arabians raised here, he had haunted the ranch since their arrival in Bridle, Texas, which was located in the hill country northwest of Austin.
But tomorrow they would return to their own country of Munir, on the Persian Gulf. Aliah—or Allie, as people had begun to call her in America—could not bear the thought of going home. Not when faced with an arranged marriage to a man she could never love, Sardar Bin Douri. Even the thought sent a shudder of revulsion down her spine.
Her chance to avoid that fate had come yesterday when Leila, her lady-in-waiting, had lost control of her horse while they were riding together. Spooked by blowing dust, the animal had run away with her. A neighboring rancher, Cord Brannigan, had rescued her.
Saved Leila’s life!
Sometime during the night, Allie had realized she could take advantage of an ancient Munir custom to gain her liberation—at least temporarily. The possibility inspired her to action now.
“Rafe! Wait for me.”
Her brother, looking very distinguished in his white robe, white gutrah and black banded ogal, slowed near the outdoor riding ring and turned toward her. “What is it, Sister?”
Breathlessly, she came to a halt. “I was wondering if you had made the appropriate arrangements for Leila.”
He looked at her blankly. “Is there something wrong with her?”
“No, not at all. I simply assumed you would be honoring our ancient tradition.”
“Which tradition is that?”
“You do recall how the Colemans’ neighbor—” she hesitated, as though she couldn’t think of his name “—Brannigan, I believe he is called, rescued my lady-in-waiting.”
“I am sure she was grateful.”
“More than grateful, as we should be, too.”
Impatiently, he glanced over his shoulder toward the stables, then back to her. “Aliah, I don’t know what you are trying to say.”
In the name of Constantine, she was going to have to spell it out to her brother! Some days he was terribly dense. Perhaps all brothers were.
“Rafe, the man saved Leila’s life. In order to properly express our gratitude for saving a servant from sure death, we must present Leila to him as a gift. From this day forward, it is right and just that she belong to him.”
“You must be joking! That custom went out with—”
“Rafe, you will soon lead our country. There is already talk among our people that you have become too westernized.” That wasn’t true, or at least she had not heard such a rumor. Nor did she intend for Leila to remain in America with Mr. Brannigan. But Allie couldn’t allow her brother to learn her real plan—to stay here herself until either Rafe or the rancher discovered the masquerade she intended. “The gifting of a servant to one who has saved the servant’s life is a tradition our people recognize and respect.”
“I am not about to leave Leila here against her will.” He walked away from Allie.
Doggedly, she followed in his footsteps. “But Leila wants to stay. I have already spoken with her.” Another lie, but a necessary one at this point.
“Why? Have you been cruel to her?”
“Of course not.” Allie huffed in frustration, having to hurry to keep up with him. “My brother, if you do not support our ancient traditions, our people will respect you less and you will not be able to lead them. Surely there is some way you can follow our customs without offending your own sense of right and wrong.”
Without slowing his pace, he slanted her a look. “Why is it I think you have some scheme up your sleeve that would not receive my approval?”
“I have no idea what you mean.”
He chuckled, a deep baritone laugh much like their father’s, but she could also see he was considering her words.
“All right, as it happens, Cade Coleman mentioned that one of Mr. Brannigan’s house servants was away for a few weeks. If Leila is agreeable, I will loan her to Brannigan for that period of time.”
Excitement filled Allie’s chest. She’d been given her ticket to freedom. “Leila will be most pleased, I assure you. If you will make the arrangements, I will inform her of the good news.”
Without waiting for her brother to change his mind, she raced back toward the main house.
The sprawling hacienda-style house sat on a hill overlooking a lake that flowed into the Colorado River. At night, Allie, Rafe and their party stayed in a small motel in the nearby town of Bridle. During the day, the Colemans had been gracious enough to allow Allie and her servant to use one of the guest rooms upstairs for rest and relaxation.
Allie hurried there now.
“I have wonderful news,” she said, bursting into the room.
Leila looked up from her needlework. “I hope that does not mean our departure for Munir will be delayed past tomorrow.”
