The Templar's Seduction - Softcover

Mccall, Mary Reed

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0061170445 ISBN 13: 9780061170447

Publisher: Avon, 2007

Synopsis

To escape the gallows, Sir Alexander de Ashby impersonates the Earl of Marston, to whom he bears an uncanny resemblance, and must convince the Earl's wife that he is truly her long-absent husband--a dangerous deception that calls his honor into question. Original.

About this title

From the Back Cover

Only a lie will save his life . . .

Sentenced to the gallows for trying to sell the treasures of the Knights Templar, Sir Alexander de Ashby has one chance for survival. The scoundrel must impersonate the late Earl of Marston, to whom he bears an uncanny resemblance, and infiltrate the lord's border castle to earn his reprieve. But first he must convince the earl's beautiful Scottish bride that his rightful place is in her bed.

But only love can save his soul.

Relieved that the story of her long-absent husband's death was false--and enticed by a wild, sensuous side of him she had never experienced before--Lady Elizabeth cautiously welcomes "the earl" back into her heart, unaware that the breathtaking imposter intends to vanish once his mission is complete. But escape may be impossible even after his secret is revealed. For now Alexander burns for the proud, remarkable lady...and desires nothing more than to live--and die, if he must--for a glorious love born of deception and sin.

From the Inside Flap

"I want to clarify. Until I tell you I wish it, we will not...that is, we won't actually--"

"Consummate our reunion?" He relished the abashed expression his bluntness called forth on her beautiful face, finding some kind of perverse pleasure in being outspoken about the act he wanted to enjoy with her desperately right now, but that he had decided to resist for both their sakes. By all the saints in heaven, he must be mad.

But then she surprised him again by echoing, "Aye. Consummate our reunion." She lifted her brow, her hesitancy seeming to dissipate in favor of that other, more defiant air of hers. That almost insolent look that bade him `come hither' like nothing else he'd ever known. "You give your oath that you will wait and not attempt to resume our relations fully, no matter how great the temptation, until I bid you take the liberty?"

He felt the right corner of his mouth quirk as it always did when he was thrown a challenge, even as the blood began to beat hotter in his veins. "Aye, lady; that is my offer and my oath. But I think it only fair to warn you about something."

"What is it?"

"You will have one week of grace--but after that it is not I who will have the most difficult part of this bargain."

Reviews

For the final volume of her Templar trilogy (after Sinful Pleasures), McCall trots out an unlikely hero: the valor-deficient Sir Alexander de Ashby, a disgraced Templar Knight sentenced to death for trying to sell Templar treasure. Though he's "rarely capable of living up to his word," Alex is offered a chance at freedom if he agrees to impersonate the earl of Marston, a Scottish laird who recently died in prison, and who bore an uncanny resemblance to Alex. His mission is to infiltrate a border castle as a spy for the English. After intense coaching, Alex is ready to assume his role—but will his act convince the earl's fiery wife, Lady Elizabeth? Immediately smitten, Alex's passionate lovemaking and subsequent guilt almost give him away. As his love deepens, he comes to realize how his imminent betrayal and abandonment will hurt Elizabeth, but he also knows that his best friend John, still held by the English, will be killed if his mission is compromised. As Alex discovers his hidden heroism, he begins to form a plan that will protect Elizabeth and restore his reputation among the Templar. McCall's unconventional but engaging hero, strong heroine and fresh plot twists make this another winning historical. (June)
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Edition details

• Publisher: Avon
• Publication date: 2007
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0061170445
• ISBN 13: 9780061170447
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• Number of pages: 384