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Chapter One

Julia

The castle was enor

Just like the Scot who stood before Charlotte in the Great Hall His dark, inscrutable eyes roving over her person, like she was his possession

His to take

He was a Baron A rake A murderer, if the rumors in London were true

He was also her new husband

His lordship crossed his arht but shirtsleeves and a kilt Back to the fire that crackled in the fireplace, the outline of his broad shoulders glowing in the darkness

His eyes locked on hers Haughty A little…heated

Charlotte pulled back her shoulders Preparing for battle

“You understand your duty as my wife, yes?” he asked

She tipped her head “I am to provide you with an heir”

“We begin tonight Ready yourself”

Then he turned and stalked out of the hall, footsteps echoing across the vast, empty space A lance before scurrying after his master

She shivered but ht She would not cower Even if she did have to sleep with that beast tonight

It was a business transaction, nothing more, she reminded herself He needed an heir She needed safety And there was no safer place than this fortress in the Highlands

Its walls kept the monsters of the world at bay

But what, she wondered, about the monsters within those walls? Who would protect her from them?