Burke's Rules
Jayne Stoneworthy Knew Men Only Wanted One ThingBurke Youngblood was no different, mistaking her for a "good-time gal" and insisting she follow his every command. But she had a stubborn streak wider than the Rockies - and she'd be more than happy to show it to him! Burke Youngblood swore that marriage did not create ties that bind. No, sir. They chafed!But that was before he met the "Headmistress of Morals," Jayne Stoneworthy, a feisty, independent schoolteacher - and the most unlikely woman ever to buy a brothel! Besides, if he didn't make an honest woman out of her, who would?
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“Listen, you. I’m bigger, more determined and meaner than you are!Letter to ReaderTitle PageAbout the AuthorDedicationChapter OneChapter TwoChapter ThreeChapter FourChapter FiveChapter SixChapter SevenChapter EightChapter NineChapter TenChapter ElevenChapter TwelveChapter ThirteenChapter FourteenChapter FifteenChapter SixteenChapter SeventeenChapter EighteenEpilogueAuthor NoteCopyright
“Listen, you. I’m bigger, more determined and meaner than you are!
“And there is no way that I am going to let you spend another night in this place. For better or worse, you’re stuck with my involvement in your life.”
Youngblood’s statement sounded like a demented wedding vow.
“But you can’t make me—” Jayne began.
“Sure I can. I’ll just pick you up and take you where you should be.”
“There are laws—”
“A respectable lady wanting to run a fancy girls’ school can’t afford to draw the wrong kind of attention to herself. It would be the kiss of death for your name to be linked with any unsavory gossip. I guarantee going to the sheriff in a misguided attempt to make me behave myself would unleash a flurry of wild rumors.” .
“That’s coercion!”
“Highly effective coercion. Pack and be ready to go when I return.”
Jayne just stared at his broad, retreating back in disbelief.
Dear Reader,
If you’ve never read a Harlequin Historical, you’re in for a treat. We offer compelling, richly developed stories that let you escape to the past—written by some of the best writers in the field!
We are delighted with the return of Pat Tracy, who is known for her fresh and entertaining Westerns. Critics have described Pat’s books as “sparkling” and “heart-lifting.” In Burke’s Rules, book two of THE GUARDSMEN series, a perfectly mannered schoolmistress falls for the “protective” bachelor banker who helps her fund her Denver, Colorado, school. It’s great!
Be sure to look for Pride of Lions, the latest in Suzanne Barclay’s highly acclaimed SUTHERLAND SERIES. Two lovers are on opposite sides of a feud in this passionate tale set in medieval Scotland. In Judith Stacy’s new Western, The Heart of a Hero, a former bad boy enlists the help of the local schoolmarm in order to win custody of his niece and nephew.
Rounding out the month is The Knight’s Bride by rising talent Lyn Stone. This is a heartwarming and humorous medieval novel about a very true knight who puts his honorable reputation on the line when he promises to marry the beautiful widow of his best friend. Don’t miss it!
Whatever your tastes in reading, you’ll be sure to find a romantic journey back to the past between the covers of a Harlequin Historical>® novel.
Sincerely,
Tracy Farrell, Senior Editor
Please address questions and book requests to:
Harlequin Reader Service U.S.: 3010 Walden Ave., P.O. Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269 Canadian: P.O. Box 609, Fort Erie, Ont. L2A 5X3
PAT TRACY lives in rugged Idaho. No longer a country mouse, Pat recently moved to the city of Idaho Falls, population 49,000, where she writes, practices karate and dreams of times when rough-and-tumble heroes had their hands full dealing with independent, lofty-minded heroines. Pat loves to hear from her readers: P.O. Box 17, Ucon, Idaho 83454.
The first category romance novel I read was
Corporate Affair, a Silhouette Desire romance, written by Stephanie James. The characters, writing style and plot absolutely riveted me. Along with millions of other readers, I discovered both the romance genre and Jayne Ann Krentz, a brilliantly gifted author with several pen names.
This book is dedicated to Jayne Ann Krentz,
Jayne Castle, Stephanie James, Amanda Quick, Amanda Glass and Jayne Taylor. Not only have you provided me with hours upon hours of magic, you answered a fan letter I wrote, asking about how one went about becoming published. You told me about Romance Writers of America, national and regional writing conferences, query letters and editors.
It’s no accident that Burke’s Jayne is book-smart, earnest
and single-mindedly determined to accomplish a worthy goal. She’s named for you, Jayne, and, I hope, represents the kind of stong, independent woman who deserves a “wounded wolf” with the courage to pursue a hero’s quest. In taming the shrew and battling his inner demons, Burke finds his mate and recovers his soul. That’s how it goes, right?
Chapter One
It was the hump that drew Burke Youngblood’s attention to the man in a red flannel shirt and baggy coveralls, walking ahead of him on the Denver boardwalk. Burke mentally sifted through the Wanted posters tacked to his office wall, putting together names with distinctive physical characteristics. Thinking about the ugly pusses marring the black-walnut-veneered panels of his brand-new office was enough to sour his already grim mood.
He didn’t know why his bank, the Denver First National and Trust, had suddenly been singled out as the most popular place for every man with a pistol and a larcenous desire to say, “Give me all the money in your vault.” But he refused to have everything he’d sweated blood and tears to build stripped from him by men too amoral to perform an honest day’s work.
