Claimed by the Laird
He will expose her as the criminal he seeks, or seduce her as the woman he desires…An old maid—that's all Lady Christina McMorlan, daughter to the Duke of Forres, is to society now that she's past thirty. She hosts her father's parties and cares for her siblings, knowing she'll never have her own home and family.She has no time to pine, however. By night, she's The Lady, head of a notorious whiskey-smuggling gang that supports her impoverished clan. They're always one step ahead of the revenue man - until Lucas Black shows up.Rejecting his title and the proper society that disparaged his mother, Lucas earns his living running a successful gambling house. He's also a spy, charged with bringing down the Forres Gang. He thinks The Lady's just a bored society spinster. She thinks he's a lost child playing at rebellion.And when the truth comes out, it's not just their love on the line…
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He will expose her as the criminal he seeks, or seduce her as the woman he desiresâ¦
An old maidâthatâs all Lady Christina McMorlan, daughter to the Duke of Forres, is to society now that sheâs past thirty. She hosts her fatherâs parties and cares for her siblings, knowing sheâll never have her own home and family. She has no time to pine, however. By night, sheâs The Lady, head of a notorious whiskey-smuggling gang that supports her impoverished clan. Theyâre always one step ahead of the revenue manâuntil Lucas Black shows up.
Rejecting his title and the proper society that disparaged his mother, Lucas earns his living running a successful gambling house. Heâs also a spy, charged with bringing down the Forres Gang. He thinks The Ladyâs just a bored society spinster. She thinks heâs a lost child playing at rebellion. And when the truth comes out, itâs not just their love on the lineâ¦.
Nicola Cornickâs novels have received acclaim the world over
âHer books are fabulous.â
âNew York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn
âCornick is first-class, queen of her game.â
âRomance Junkies
âA rising star of the Regency arenaâ
âPublishers Weekly
Praise for theSCANDALOUS WOMEN OF THE TON series
âA riveting readâ
âNew York Times bestselling author Mary Jo Putney on Whisper of Scandal
âOne of the finest voices in historical romanceâ
âSingleTitles.com
âEthan Ryder (is) a bad boy to die for! A memorable story of intense emotions, scandals, trust, betrayal and all-encompassing love. A fresh and engrossing tale.â
âRomantic TimesonOne Wicked Sin
âHistorical romance at its very best is written by Nicola Cornick.â
âMary Gramlich,The Reading Reviewer
Acclaim for Nicolaâs previous books
âWitty banter, lively action and sizzling passionâ
âLibrary Journal on Undoing of a Lady
âRITA>® Award-nominated Cornick deftly steeps her latest intriguingly complex Regency historical in a beguiling blend of danger and desire.â âBooklist on Unmasked
Donât miss NicolaâsScandalous Women of the Tonseries, available now!
WHISPER OF SCANDAL
ONE WICKED SIN MISTRESS BY MIDNIGHT NOTORIOUS DESIRED FOR BIDDEN
Also available fromNicola Cornick
THE LADY AND THE LAIRD
ONE NIGHT WITH THE LAIRD DECEIVED LORD OF SCANDAL UNMASKED THE CONFESSIONS OF A DUCHESS THE SCANDALS OF AN INNOCENT THE UNDOING OF A LADY DAUNTSEY PARK: THE LAST RAKE IN LONDON Browsewww.mirabooks.co.ukorwww.nicolacornick.co.ukforNicolaâs full backlist
Welcome to Claimed by the Laird, Book Three in the Scottish Brides series! This is Christinaâs story. Christina has always been in the shadow of her younger sisters, but now she is swept up into a shocking upstairs-downstairs whirlwind romanceâwith the new footman at Kilmory Castle!
Lucas Ross is a very unusual footman indeed. Tall, dark and handsome, Lucas is surely too commanding to be a servant, and his affair with Lady Christina MacMorlan is bound to cause scandal. But Lucas has other, secret reasons for being at Kilmory and, when they are revealed, can their love survive the ensuing disgrace?
Like the other books in the Scottish Brides series, Claimed by the Laird is inspired by real-life events. I thoroughly enjoyed researching the background of whisky smuggling in the Scottish Highlands!
I have loved writing all the books in this series and would like to thank all my readers very much for their wonderful support through so many writing years.
Happy reading!
To Andrew, my own hero,
who was there at the beginning. With my thanks and all my love.
Contents
Edinburgh, April 1817
âI DONâT KNOW why I am helping you,â Jack Rutherford said.
Lucas Black laughed. âBecause my club serves the best brandy in Edinburgh?â He topped up his friendâs glass.
âIt does,â Jack allowed. âBut that isnât the reason.â
âBecause you owe me money?â
The cards lay abandoned on the cherrywood table between them. This was one of the clubâs private rooms and empty but for the two of them. Beyond the door lay the gambling hellâs main salon, packed tonight with a clientele representing the richest men in Edinburgh society. Lucas cared nothing for a manâs antecedents, but he did care that his guests could pay their debts. He was in a position to be selective. An invitation to The Chequers was one of the most sought-after privileges in Scottish society.
Jack took out his pocketbook. âTwenty-five guineas, wasnât it?â he said.
Lucas waved the debt away. âIâd rather have your help.â
His friend was frowning, watching the brandy swirl in his glass. He did not reply.
âA conflict of loyalties?â Lucas asked. He and Jack were business partners; they had helped each other out of more difficult situations than Lucas could remember. Which made it interesting that this time Jack was refusing to commit himself.
