“Pamela Clare…creates heroes, heroines, and villains with the ease of a master [drawing] the reader irresistibly into the story, making them part of the pain, the fear…and the passion.”
—Leigh Greenwood, USA Today bestselling author
Praise for the MacKinnon’s Rangers Novels
SURRENDER
“Be forewarned that this is not a book you’ll put down lightly. Once you start, you’ll be hard-pressed to do anything else but travel along on this journey filled with action, danger, fantastically vivid historical events, and written in almost liquid prose: nonstop and ever-flowing words that blend together in a lifelike portrayal of colonial times and the people that stood up to almost unimaginable hardships, written only as Pamela Clare can write them. Surrender is a must-have…I can’t recommend this book highly enough.”
—Romance Reader at Heart
“An astonishing story. All you need to do is open the cover and read page one to know you’re being taken on an incredible journey and beginning one of the most exciting books ever written. Surrender is nothing short of genius, a work of art, written by a master storyteller. Pamela Clare pens a story so gut-wrenching, so intense, so deeply moving that you can barely put it down. There are wonderful one-liners that make you laugh, along with the most beautiful words of love you’ll ever read. It’s an intense drama with unforgettable characters and a hero and heroine you’ll hold in your heart forever. Surrender to Surrender.”
—Fresh Fiction
“This is fantastic historical romance that uses the backdrop of the French and Indian War to tell a terrific tale of love. The story line is action packed…and never slows down until the final exhilarating climax…Fans will treasure this keeper and look forward to more MacKinnon thrillers.”
—Midwest Book Review
“Engrossing…This is a book to savor.”
—The Romance Reader
“Ms. Clare writes a compelling story that I found difficult to set aside. I was totally submerged in the characters and the story through the very end. I’m anxiously awaiting the next two novels where we will learn more about Iain’s brothers.”
—Once Upon A Romance
“[Surrender] has its fill of adventure…The author evokes her setting wonderfully…Readers looking for a passionate romance and plenty of adventure will likely enjoy this story.”
—All About Romance
UNTAMED
“Captivating…Clare’s detailed attention to the history of alliances forged and battles fought near Fort Ticonderoga adds authenticity, and the characters evolve and change with a realism that readers will love.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Sizzling sensuality, touching emotions, and great historical detail make this a sure winner…Magnificent…You need only to read the first page to know that you are beginning another historical romantic masterpiece by Pamela Clare, a master storyteller who always delights readers…Untamed will leave you breathless and cheering with its attention to historical detail, characters you can almost reach out and touch, a story line that’s deeply riveting, and a love story that will melt your heart as only these MacKinnons, Highland warriors, Scottish brothers, can do…You must always keep a Pamela Clare book on your keeper shelf. She is not just a read, she is a reread.”
—Fresh Fiction
“Riveting. Clare cleverly combines history and fiction to bring us a tale full of drama and sensuality, with well-drawn characters and continuous action.”
—RT Book Reviews
“A great tale…The story line is action packed but owned by the fleeing lead couple and the historical backdrop that makes this clearly must-reading for Colonial America romance fans.”
—Midwest Book Review
“This story had me from the first page. Pamela Clare is a master storyteller who writes stories steeped in historical settings that are so vivid you feel you are walking alongside the main characters as you view the story through their eyes. This one has it all. It is a story of honor, deception, loyalty, passion, duty, forgiveness, faith, and, above all, love. The main characters are strong and beautifully matched. They complete each other so perfectly…The love scenes are just to die for, and this story brought tears to my eyes more than once, as well. I highly recommend this stirring and wonderful series to anyone who loves a good love story.”
—Night Owl Reviews
“A powerful story about two people who discover love despite war and betrayal…I felt truly invested in the characters in Untamed and found the time period captivating. Morgan has now taken the lead as my favorite hero of the year.”
—All About Romance
Berkley Sensation Books by Pamela Clare
EXTREME EXPOSURE
HARD EVIDENCE
UNLAWFUL CONTACT
NAKED EDGE
BREAKING POINT
SURRENDER
UNTAMED
DEFIANT
DEFIANT
Pamela Clare
BERKLEY SENSATION, NEW YORK
THE BERKLEY PUBLISHING GROUP
Published by the Penguin Group
Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA
Penguin Group (Canada), 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario M4P 2Y3, Canada (a division of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc.) • Penguin Books Ltd., 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England • Penguin Group Ireland, 25 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland (a division of Penguin Books Ltd.) • Penguin Group (Australia), 250 Camberwell Road, Camberwell, Victoria 3124, Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty. Ltd.) • Penguin Books India Pvt. Ltd., 11 Community Centre, Panchsheel Park, New Delhi—110 017, India • Penguin Group (NZ), 67 Apollo Drive, Rosedale, Auckland 0632, New Zealand (a division of Pearson New Zealand Ltd.) • Penguin Books (South Africa) (Pty.) Ltd., 24 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196, South Africa
Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.
DEFIANT
A Berkley Sensation Book / published by arrangement with the author
PUBLISHING HISTORY
Berkley Sensation mass-market edition / July 2012
Copyright © 2012 by Pamela Clare.
Cover art by Gregg Gulbronson. Cover design by George Long.
Map illustration © Gary Zaboly.
Interior text design by Laura K. Corless.
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.
For information, address: The Berkley Publishing Group,
a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,
375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.
ISBN: 978-1-101-55998-7
BERKLEY SENSATION®
Berkley Sensation Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group,
a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,
375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.
BERKLEY SENSATION® is a registered trademark of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
The “B” design is a trademark of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
If you purchased this
book without a cover, you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the publisher, and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book.”
ALWAYS LEARNING
PEARSON
This book is dedicated to you, my dear readers,
who have e-mailed me every day since 2008 asking,
“When are you going to write Connor’s book?”
Your love for this series and for the
MacKinnon brothers helped save this story from the
dustbin of my imagination.
You are the best.
Acknowledgments
This book would not have been possible without the support of my editor, Cindy Hwang, and my agent, Natasha Kern. Thank you for keeping MacKinnon’s Rangers alive.
Special thanks to Eileen Washburn Hannay, Gary Zaboly, Timothy Todish, and David Starbuck for sharing their expertise with me in person and through e-mails, books, and masterful artwork. You brought history alive for me so that I could bring it alive for my readers. Eileen and Gary, getting to know you has been such a joy.
Personal thanks to my sister, Michelle White, for literally holding my hand throughout the writing of this book when parts of my life were unraveling. I will never be able to thank you enough. You are my baby sister and no one else’s baby sister.
Many thanks to my co-conspirators Norah Wilson, Bonnie Vanak, Jan Zimlich, Alice Duncan, Alice Gaines, and Mimi Riser for their support and friendship; and to Jill Shalvis, Joyce Lamb, Julie James, and Marie Force for the same.
Additional thanks to my home team: Michelle, Libby Murphy, Kristi Ross, Sue Zimmerman, Ronlyn Howe, Jennifer Johnson, Stéphanie Desprez, Ruth Salisbury, and Suzanne Warren. You keep me going when the caffeine wears off and the confidence wanes.
Much love and thanks to my parents, Robert and Mary White, for letting me move in and eat your food so that I could write and finish this book. I love you.
And, as always, much love to my sons, Alec and Benjamin.
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Epilogue
Afterword
References
About the Author
Prologue
July 28, 1755
Albany, on the Hudson River
His Majesty’s Colony of New York
“I didna kill anyone.” Connor MacKinnon glared at his two brothers, heavy fetters biting into his wrists and ankles, the iron cold and hard. “I swear it!”
Iain, the oldest, frowned. “Morgan and I bided the night at Oldiah Cooper’s tavern, and many saw us there. But you left and didna come back till the morn. Where did you go?”
Connor hated that look on Iain’s face—the one that said he believed Connor had been up to some mischief. “I bided the night wi’ Mistress Vandall.”
Morgan, who at four-and-twenty was just a year older than Connor, shook his head. “Her good man is but two days in the grave.”
“Aye, and I went to console her.”
Morgan gave a snort. “You’re a bloody saint.”
Connor grinned. “She felt much recovered when I left her side, I promise you that.”
Poor Kally had been married off to a man so old and unwell that he’d been unable to get a rising with any strength to it and had given his young wife neither pleasure nor children. So hungry had she been for a man’s touch that she’d all but come apart in Connor’s arms.
Aye, he’d bedded her well—and left her with a smile on her pretty face.
“Did anybody see you there?”
“Nay, I was cannie.” Connor couldn’t help but grin. “But Kally willna soon forget who was wi’ her last even.”
Iain glared at him, his voice dropping to an angry hiss as a guard passed their door. “Think, Connor! Would you ask the lass to tell all of Albany that you were in her bed? Are you after seein’ her branded a fornicator and flogged?”
“Nay.” He wished no harm to come to her on his account.
Morgan turned to Iain. “What are we goin’ to do?”
Connor gave the fusty straw an angry kick, his chains rattling. “We should have fought our way free when we had the chance!”
They’d been near the edge of town when a dozen redcoats had fallen on them and arrested them for murder. Connor had drawn his blade, as had Morgan beside him, both ready to fight, but Iain had stopped them.
“There’s no sense dyin’ over what is surely a mistake, lads,” he’d said as redcoats put irons around his wrists.
They’d been marched through the streets of Albany, past milling townsfolk who’d stared at them with suspicion, to the stockade that stood atop the hill, where they’d been thrown in leg irons and left to bide in this close and dank cell. And still they didn’t know whom they were supposed to have murdered.
Connor found himself on the sharp end of Iain’s gaze.
“What we’re goin’ to do is use our minds.” Iain raised his shackled wrists and tapped a finger to his temple. “Fightin’ would only serve to get us all killed. We didna murder anyone. All shall be set right.”
Connor did not share Iain’s sudden trust in English notions of justice. It was English justice that had put a German on the throne, stealing the crown from its true heir. It was English justice that had seen their elderly grandfather Iain Og MacKinnon, chieftain of Clan MacKinnon, chained aboard a prison barge for helping Bonnie Prince Charlie escape after Culloden. Aye, and it was English justice that had sent their father and mother with their three young sons away from their ancestral lands on the Isle of Skye and into exile.
But Connor would not gainsay Iain. Iain had always done right by his brothers, getting them out of difficulties every bit as bad as this one. As the eldest male in the family, Iain was by right The MacKinnon, their father having died more than three years past. Connor owed Iain respect—and obedience when he could manage it.
One hour went by. Two. Then three.
Connor dozed, only to be awakened by the sound of a guard’s voice.
“On yer feet! There’s someone what wishes to speak with ye.”
Connor looked to his brothers and saw by their faces that they, too, were confused.
“Come, lads.” Iain stood. “We’ll soon put an end to this matter and be on our way.”
Connor got to his feet and followed his brothers, chains clinking, out the open door. There stood five redcoats with fixed bayonets flanking a young, bewigged British officer—a lieutenant by his uniform. His gaze fixed on Iain, then Morgan, then Connor, as if he were taking their measure, his lips pressing together in a disapproving line when he spied the bit of MacKinnon plaidie tied at Connor’s waist.
He spoke to the redcoats behind him. “Remove the clan colors.”
Connor stepped back, tried to block the advancing redcoats with raised hands. “Keep your bloody English—”
“Connor!” Iain’s shout stopped him. “’Tis just a bit of cloth.”
Connor gaped at his brother. MacKinnon colors just a bit of cloth? Had Iain gone daft?
Nay, this
was about Jeannie Grant. Iain was besotted with her and determined to take her to wife. They’d come to Albany so that Iain could have their mother’s wedding ring made to fit Jeannie’s smaller finger. Old Man Grant had shown favor to Iain over her other suitors, but that favor would pass to another if it were known that Iain had found trouble with the English.
For his brother’s sake, Connor gritted his teeth and willed himself to stand still as the bit of plaidie was torn from him, crumpled in a redcoat’s fist, then tossed to the filthy gaol floor.
Iain addressed the officer. “There’s been some misunder—”
“The prisoners will not speak.” The lieutenant turned his back to Iain. “Bring them.”
Connor shared a glance with his brothers, the simmering anger in their eyes reflecting his own seething rage. Then a beefy hand shoved him from behind.
“Get moving, you!”
He stumbled forward, chains dragging at his feet as they were marched back outside, down the hill toward the river, and into the heart of town, crowds gathering as they passed.
“Damn the Scotch!” someone muttered.
Then out of the corner of his eye, Connor spotted Kally. He met her worried gaze, warning her away with a slight shake of his head when she started toward him, distress on her bonnie face.