It's not until he returns to Skye for his mother's birthday when Donnan begins to lose control of his life. And it's all because of a woman, the one woman he's loved since childhood. The woman he desires above all others - that is should he ever think of taking a wife.
Rosalind, strong willed and opinionated far more than most, she is determined to find out what it is Donnan is hiding. Never before had they kept things from each other, but Rosalind is convinced he's keeping something huge from her.
Everything changes in the blink of an eye.
Stowing away in the back of Donnan's coach, Rosalind changes their lives forever. The adventure begins...
“Rosalind, what in the name of God have you done?” he asked. “What are you doing in the back of my carriage?”
Rosalind squared her shoulders, trying not to think what a miserable picture she must look. She summoned the lie she had concocted for just this moment.
“I could not stay, Donnan. I can be more useful with you than back at the castle alone."
His brows drew together. He surveyed her from top to bottom, taking in every inch of her seedy appearance, shaking his head.
“Come into the inn with me, Rose. We can speak inside. After you've bathed, of course." He smirked at her, extending his arm.
Rosalind took her time bathing. She knew Donnan was angry with her stealing away. She had to make him understand.
Finally, she finished and rejoined him in the sitting room of the suite he'd gotten them. A mouthwatering meal graced a table. Her stomach reminded her she hadn't eaten since she was on Skye.
"Come and join me," he said as he rose from a chair he sat in.
"Thank you."
She followed him to the table and sat in a chair he'd pulled out for her. He was not happy. His face told her so.
He sat across from her, his eyes intently watching her. "Rose, do you realize what you've done by stowing away in my carriage?"
"Of course I do. I'm quite sure Rory is furious with me."
Donnan picked up a piece of cheese and broke it in half. "If he doesn't think we planned this to begin with."
She shook her head. "I will take full responsibility for my actions."
"Not that it will do any good now," he replied briskly.
"What would you have me do, Donnan? Sit and wait on you for another year? I'm sure when the time came, you would have an excuse not to come back and accept your duties."
"That is exactly what you were suppose to do, Rose! You were suppose to wait for a year," he bellowed. "I would never purposely disobey anything Rory orders of me. Never. He is not only my brother, he's my clan leader. When the year was up, I would have come back for you, Rose. Now you've changed all that. Now we must marry."
She said nothing for a moment. She speared a piece of chicken and ate it. If Donnan wasn't so angry with her, she could sit right here and enjoy this plain feast. "Why can't I simply spend the year with you? I can help you, I'm sure. After that, we can return to Skye and marry just like Rory wishes."
"Surely you jest. I cannot have you live with me and follow me around for a year like some tap room wench. You're a lady, Rose. Your reputation would be ruined. No, we'll do the proper thing and marry at Gretna Green."
"What? When?"
"Now. Our journey will begin as soon as we've finished our meal."
Rosalind squared her shoulders, trying not to think what a miserable picture she must look. She summoned the lie she had concocted for just this moment.
“I could not stay, Donnan. I can be more useful with you than back at the castle alone."
His brows drew together. He surveyed her from top to bottom, taking in every inch of her seedy appearance, shaking his head.
“Come into the inn with me, Rose. We can speak inside. After you've bathed, of course." He smirked at her, extending his arm.
Rosalind took her time bathing. She knew Donnan was angry with her stealing away. She had to make him understand.
Finally, she finished and rejoined him in the sitting room of the suite he'd gotten them. A mouthwatering meal graced a table. Her stomach reminded her she hadn't eaten since she was on Skye.
"Come and join me," he said as he rose from a chair he sat in.
"Thank you."
She followed him to the table and sat in a chair he'd pulled out for her. He was not happy. His face told her so.
He sat across from her, his eyes intently watching her. "Rose, do you realize what you've done by stowing away in my carriage?"
"Of course I do. I'm quite sure Rory is furious with me."
Donnan picked up a piece of cheese and broke it in half. "If he doesn't think we planned this to begin with."
She shook her head. "I will take full responsibility for my actions."
"Not that it will do any good now," he replied briskly.
"What would you have me do, Donnan? Sit and wait on you for another year? I'm sure when the time came, you would have an excuse not to come back and accept your duties."
"That is exactly what you were suppose to do, Rose! You were suppose to wait for a year," he bellowed. "I would never purposely disobey anything Rory orders of me. Never. He is not only my brother, he's my clan leader. When the year was up, I would have come back for you, Rose. Now you've changed all that. Now we must marry."
She said nothing for a moment. She speared a piece of chicken and ate it. If Donnan wasn't so angry with her, she could sit right here and enjoy this plain feast. "Why can't I simply spend the year with you? I can help you, I'm sure. After that, we can return to Skye and marry just like Rory wishes."
"Surely you jest. I cannot have you live with me and follow me around for a year like some tap room wench. You're a lady, Rose. Your reputation would be ruined. No, we'll do the proper thing and marry at Gretna Green."
"What? When?"
"Now. Our journey will begin as soon as we've finished our meal."
My careers in public relations in and around the entertainment industry, photography, editing, artist management, modeling and special event planning all elevated my passion for writing, not to mention gave me a treasure trove for story lines.
I write women's fiction; contemporary romance (as Jamie Salisbury) and historical romance (as JR Salisbury) which is ever evolving. I am fortunate enough that writing (and marketing of said product(s)) is my full-time job, although I always have one or two other projects going at the same time.
I now live in a suburb of Atlanta. Some of my other interests include photography, equestrianism, reading, and of course, travel.
I sincerely hope my writing will entertain, enlighten, and inspire others to pick up the pen and pursue their own dreams. I love to be contacted by readers, writers, and history buffs.
One lucky winner will receive this prize pack:
$20 Amazon gift card, swag, including a commemorative tea tin and tea, and two of Jamie's ebooks (winner's choice) – 1 winner for all
Sounds like a good read.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading this.
ReplyDeleteI like the cover, it sounds like a great book.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a charming book :-)
ReplyDeleteI love the cover and the book sounds great!
ReplyDeleteI like the cover thanks for your giveaway
ReplyDeletetiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com
Great cover.
ReplyDeletepirates are always a win,maybe a certain Captain could find home in this universe(starts whit JAck ends in Sparrow )
ReplyDeletegreat cover looks like she is going on a adventure .
ReplyDelete