EMERALD ENCHANTMENT ~ Lynette Vinet ~ 1989 BOOK 3

PRIDE AND PASSION

Under an assumed name, Paul Flannery, dashing dark-eyed son of Quint and Dera's passionate union, pays court to lovely Allison Fairfax, heiress to Fairfax Manor and the surrounding Irish estate. For the innocent young girl, it is love at first sight and forever, but Paul's motive is to restore the Fairfax lands to their rightful owners, the Flannery's.

Too proud to reveal his true feelings, Paul suffers as he imagines a growing attraction between Allison and his brother Daniel, and at last sets sail for Canada, leaving the two to find happiness together.

But Allison, whose fidelity and love have never wavered, follows him, and husband and wife are reunited. But is the passion they share strong enough to bridge the chasm jealousy and misunderstanding have created between them?

EXTRACT:

EVERYTHING BUT LOVE

Never in Paul's life had he felt so drawn to a woman, or so distracted from the purpose behind his coming to Ireland. He hadknown many women, delighting in their voluptuous offerings, had loved at least one, and considered himself an expert at seduction. But now he wondered who was seducing whom. Clearly Allison might succeed in binding him to her with her beautiful ivory flesh, but he realised he must fight his tender feelings. He mustn't allow himself to forget the reason behind this marriage. He decided that he would bed his delicious young wife as often as he wished and enjoy every moment of it -- but he would refuse to fall in love with her.

Paul's contemplative silence filled Allison with alarm. Moments ago, he had held her in the throes of passion. Now his forehead had creased into a frown and his eyes were no longer filled with love, but surveyed her coldly.

She timidly stroked his forearm. "Paul, is something wrong?"

The soft angles of his mouth hardened. He seized the back of her neck and pulled her down beside him, burying his face in her hair. "No, love, I just want to enjoy you."

And he did. With each caress of his hands on her flesh, he marked her as his woman.