http://www.amazon.com/Tarnished-Honor-Sabrina-York-ebook/dp/B01AKIM6DK/ |
Fia
Lennox’s world turned on its end with her brother’s death. She’s gone in one
fell swoop from lady to servant…to a woman on the run. The world is a dangerous
place for a woman alone—even when she is masquerading as a boy—so when she
meets up with a strong, valiant ex-cavalryman, she decides to become his
traveling companion. Whether he likes it or not.
Battling
villains, would-be-friends and their own finely-forged battlements, Fia
and Daniel rush toward their destiny, a scorching passion and,
hopefully, redemption. Can love conquer all? Even the ghosts of the past?
Read an excerpt of Tarnished Honor:
There
was no other word for it. Simply glorious.
Daniel
tipped his face up to the sky and grinned. The sun was shining and the breeze
was mild. The sky was blue and tufted with fat white clouds. It was a lovely
day to travel—it could have been raining, could have been cold. But since he’d
set out from London, on this lengthy journey to Inverness, each day had been
prettier than the last.
His
mood had improved too. He was swamped with the conviction that he’d done the
right thing, leaving his haven. As much as he appreciated his position at the
club, he’d allowed himself to sink into it, into the rut of it. He’d allowed
himself to wallow in his woes.
There
was no wallowing on the road; there simply wasn’t time for it.
It
was energizing to be traveling again, invigorating to be out in the world,
breathing fresh air and going
somewhere. He enjoyed the solitude, the quiet, the absence of need to make
conversation.
That
left him alone with his thoughts, his regrets, his guilt, but such specters had
haunted him for so long, they were like old companions. He wouldn’t know who he
was without them.
Aye.
This was far more healing than any medicine—the power of his mount between his
thighs, the kiss of warmth on his face, the movement. Surprisingly, his leg
hardly pained him at all, except when he moved suddenly. In fact, it even felt
better after several days of riding. He hadn’t fallen off his horse once.
Hunnam
was in good form as well. No doubt he’d enjoyed the fresh air and the chance to
prance once again. An hour’s exercise a day was one thing, but for a Scots
Grey, the chance to run and run wild spoke to his soul.
It
spoke to Daniel’s too, so he put his heels to his mount’s sides and gave him
his head.
And
it was glorious.
He
hadn’t realized how closed up he’d allowed himself to become. How isolated. He
hadn’t realized how much he’d allowed his injury—and his guilt—to shrink his
horizons.
Well,
his horizons weren’t limited now. They spread before him in a verdant green
wash that stretched as far as the eye could see. He passed a loch and paused to
admire the sparkling waters, to watch an osprey swoop down to snatch a hapless
fish.
And
damn, but it was a fine thing to be back in Scotland. Daniel hadn’t realized
just how much he’d missed hearing the lilt of his own brogue, or tasting a
well-made haggis. The Brits didn’t care for haggis, a fact he’d never quite
understood. When created by someone who knew what they were doing, it was
delicious. And Scottish innkeepers, apparently, knew what they were doing. Or
their wives did.
There
was no doubt about it, he’d probably gained a stone since crossing the border
to his homeland. He’d never felt so vibrant and alive. And while he had enjoyed
the occasional chat with a fellow countryman, he had never enjoyed his own
company more. There was something about being alone with one’s thoughts that
was very peaceful. It allowed a man to explore his soul at leisure without
interruptions. It allowed a man to process all that had happened in his life.
To put everything in the place it belonged. Though he still had several days of
travel, at most a week, he was already lamenting the journey’s end.
After
he passed the Kinclaven Crossroads, the landscape changed from fields and farms
to orchards. The looming trees shaded the road in a lacy pattern; the scent of
crisp apples filled the air, tempting Daniel to reach up and pluck one for a
taste.
He
did not. That would be stealing and he was a man of honor.
He
pulled back on Hunnam’s reins when he spotted a white mare standing in the
road. She was difficult to miss. Her lines were exquisite, her saddle and tack
were the finest…but she had no rider. His brow wrinkled as he rode closer. No
one would ever abandon such a fine horse. It was—
“Blast.”
The
imprecation came from the leafy tree next to which the mare stood.
Daniel
glanced up; the boughs riffled. An apple fell to the ground.
The
mare whinnied and walked over to it, lipping up the treat.
Another
apple fell and the horse made short work of that one was well.
“Stop
eating them all,” the tree said. “Save some for me.”
Daniel
cleared his throat. It seemed prudent to make himself known. “Hullo?”
The
leaves rustled and a face peered out. Enormous blue-green eyes stared at him.
Something flickered through them. Something that could have been construed
as…guilt.
Daniel
frowned. “What are you doing up there?” he asked.
The
eyes blinked. “Nothing.”
“Nothing?”
He drummed his fingers on his saddle. “Are you stealing apples?”
The
chagrined expression on that elfin face was nearly whimsical. “Is this your
orchard?”
“Indeed
it is not.”
An
entrancing, mischievous smile blossomed and the thief tossed him a fat red
apple. “Then catch.”
He
did not. He did not catch. The apple bounced off his pate.
“Oh
really,” an amused voice echoed from above. “Let’s try again.”
“Let’s
not.”
Too
late. Another apple flew in his direction. He missed it again. It fell to the
ground and Hunnam gobbled it up.
“Sir,
you are supposed to catch them.”
“I
doona care to abet you in your thievery—” Another missile flew. By the grace of
God, he caught this one. “Please stop throwing stolen apples at me.” It was
large and red and shiny and looked delicious. Aside from that, it smelled quite
tantalizing. As he felt he had earned it, he polished it on his lapel and took
a bite. Flavor exploded in his mouth and juice dribbled down his chin. They
were excellent apples.
The
face disappeared, followed by more rustling. A satchel fell to the loam with a
soft thud. Then a pair of feet appeared. Legs. Slim hips. Slender shoulders and
then a mop of tousled black curls.
A
boy dropped to the ground with an oof. He looked up at Daniel, his head tipped
saucily to the side, and then he grinned. It was a rakish grin. “Not stealing,”
he said. “Borrowing.”
This
he said with such conviction, Daniel had to struggle not to laugh. This was no
laughing matter. Thieves ended up in the gaol. “Ah. Borrowing. Surely you won’t
mind explaining that to him.” Daniel nodded to the distance, where a farmer was
running through the trees toward them, arms flailing.
The
boy’s eyes widened. He picked up the satchel and hefted it over his shoulder.
Then he bounded into the saddle and shot a glance back at Daniel. His grin was
wicked as he urged his mount forward…leaving Daniel behind to explain to the
farmer why his apples were missing.
And
why apple juice dribbled from his chin.
Free In KindleUnlimited
Other Historical Romance by Sabrina
York
Untamed Highlanders
Dundragon Time Travel Series
Laird of Her
Heart
Her Hot
Highlander (coming soon!)
His Highland
Lass (coming soon!)
Stand Alone Historical Romance
Tarnished
Honor
About
Sabrina York
Her Royal Hotness, Sabrina York, is the New York Times and
USA Today Bestselling author of hot, humorous stories for smart and sexy
readers. Her titles range
from sweet & snarky to scorching romance. Connect with her on twitter @sabrina_york, on Facebook
or on Pintrest.
Check out Sabrina’s books and read an excerpt on Amazon
or wherever e-books are sold. Visit her webpage at www.sabrinayork.com
to check out her books, excerpts and contests. Free Teaser Book: http://sabrinayork.com/free-teaser-books/
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