Heart Of Courage
Under the pert pen name "Lady Smart," opinionated Lindsey Graham crusades for social change among London's elite, writing for the ladies' gazette Heart to Heart.But Lindsey's greatest campaign begins when her brother Rudy, a notorious rake, is accused of murdering a string of prostitutes. Her confidence in his innocence is bolstered when an anonymous letter arrives naming Viscount Merrick as the killer. Lindsey launches her own investigation into the gentleman's questionable pursuits, a risky venture that earns her an unwelcome bodyguard–Thor Draugr.At first, Lindsey refuses the protection of her employer's brother-in-law. They are like oil and water, yet she can barely conceal her attraction to the rugged Norseman. But an attempt on her life reveals not only the lengths that someone will go to in order to prevent her interference in the viscount's sordid affairs, but that she can no longer deny that she desires the warrior by her side….
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Praise for Kat Martinâs bestselling Heart Trilogy
âMs. Martin keeps you burning the midnight oil as she sets fire to the pages of Heart of Fireâ¦. Donât miss this fabulous series! It is definitely a winner.â
âReader to Reader
âHeart of Fire is a wonderful historical romanceâ¦.Kat Martin has created a story that delivers emotion, steamy romance, and a suspenseful storyline. This is one you donât want to miss.â
âThe Romance Readerâs Connection
âMartin puts a twist on the captive/captor theme by cleverly combining it with a bit of Pygmalion and a touch of Tarzan for a fast-paced, sensual, entertaining tale.â
âRomantic Times BOOKreviews
âWith an exciting ending and a steamy romance, Heart of Honor is a great book to heat up a winterâs night.â
âRomance Reviews Today
âHeart of Honor sweeps the reader away on a tidal wave of emotion, bittersweet, poignant romance and a tantalizing primal sexuality that are the inimitable trademarks of multi-talented author Kat Martin.â
âWinter Haven News
âMs. Martin always delivers for her readers a romance that they can sink their teeth intoâ¦you can never go wrong with one of her books. A great winter read!â
âA Romance Review
âThe happily-ever-after was a wonderful affair. I really enjoyed Heart of Honor. Its very differences will make it stand out well on the vast shelves of historical romances.â
âRomance Junkies
KAT MARTIN
Heart of Courage
To my dear friend Connie Gartner,
one of lifeâs grand ladies. Thank you, Connie, for the joy you brought us all. We miss you!
Contents
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
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Epilogue
Authorâs Note
One
London, England
September, 1844
COVENT GARDEN KILLER STRIKES AGAIN.
Londoners grow nervous.
Thor scanned the front page article in the London Timesâdetails of the second brutal murder in the Covent Garden district in the last six months.
Unlike his older brother, Leif, Thor wasnât much of a reader. He figured the best use for a newspaper was to wrap up dead fish. He admitted it was probably important to keep up with what was happening around him, so he struggled through the English words, a language he had only started learning a little over two years ago. Before that, he had lived on an island far to the north, an isolated world only a handful of people knew existed.
With the help of his teacher, Professor Paxton Hart, he had learned to read and write, how to dress and move about in English society. Leif and his wife helped as well, and life here grew easier all the time. Still, Thor liked being out of doors, not inside reading a book.
âSo youâre the one who stole my paper!â An indignant female voice snagged his attention. âIâve been looking all over.â Hands on hips, Lindsey Graham marched across the office like a raven swooping down on its prey.
Holding the evidence of his guilt in one big hand, Thor stood in the doorway of the back room of Heart to Heart, the ladiesâ magazine owned by his brotherâs wife, Krista Hart Draugr, and her father, his teacher, Sir Paxton Hart. It was Thursday, the day before the paper came out, and the office hummed with activity.
âI did not steal it,â he said to the avenging angel bearing down on him. âI borrowed it. I wanted to know about the murder.â
Her eyes shot to his, a tawny golden color like the she-cat she was. âThere was a second murder?â
He nodded, held the paper so she could read the headline. âDown in Covent Garden,â he said. âSame as before.â
Lindsey took the newspaper and scanned the article. She was taller than the average woman, yet far shorter than his six-foot-five-inch frame. She was slender, her hair a light golden brown. With her fine-boned, delicate features, she was pretty, but not in the way he preferred.
Like his brother, he wanted his women lusty, buxom and full-breasted, the kind built to satisfy a man. Leif had found Krista, the mate of his heart. Thor was still looking for the female who would be his.
âAnother woman killed,â Lindsey said, her tawny gaze glued to the page, âstrangled just like the last time. The police believe the same man is likely responsible.â
Lindsey was editor of the womenâs section of the paper and also wrote a gossip column called Heartbeat. She was a hard worker, he knew, a quality he admired since he worked so hard himself. Whenever he wasnât down at the docks, bossing the stevedores who loaded and unloaded the cargo carried by his brotherâs company, Valhalla Shipping, he worked for Heart to Heart. He was saving his money to buy a place in the country, far away from the choking air of London.
