Macleod Family - Much Ado In The Moonlight

339 Pages·2016·0.78 MB·English

by  Kurland Lynn

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MUCH ADO IN THE
MOONLIGHT
By
Lynn Kurland
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
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Epilogue
"I dare you to read a 'Kurland' story and not enjoy it!"
—Heartland Critiques
Praise for the novels of USA Today
bestselling author Lynn Kurland
Dreams of Stardust
"Kurland weaves another fabulous read with just the right amounts of laughter, romance, and fantasy."
—Affaire de Coeur
"Kurland crafts some of the most ingenious time-travel romances readers can find. Cleverly merging past
and present, she spins a dreamlike web that so completely captivates readers… Wonderfully clever and
completely enchanting."
—Romantic Times Book Club
"Dreams of Stardust, by Lynn Kurland, who is truly a masterful storyteller, will enchant you with its
spellbinding plot, fascinating characters, and sizzling sensuality. If you thought you were not a fan of time
travel, this mesmerizing novel will not only change your mind, but also delight you in the process!"
—RomanceJunkies.com
"One of our most beloved time-travel authors and deservedly so. Each new book is cause for
celebration!"
—FreshFictionReviews.com
"A terrific time-travel romance."
—ParaNormal Romance Reviews
A Garden in the Rain
"Kurland laces her exquisitely romantic, utterly bewitching blend of contemporary romance and time
travel with a delectable touch of tart wit, leaving readers savoring every word of this superbly written
romance."
—Booklist
"Kurland is clearly one of romance's finest writers—she consistently delivers the kind of stories readers
dream about. Don't miss this one."
—The Oakland Press
(continued on next page . . . )
From This Moment On
"A disarming blend of romance, suspense, and heartwarming humor, this book is romantic comedy at its
best."
—Publishers Weekly
"A deftly plotted delight, seasoned with a wonderfully wry sense of humor and graced with endearing,
unforgettable characters, including a trio of healer-witches, a rough-around-the-edges hero who can't
understand why all his fiancees flee or faint at the sight of him, and a heroine who discovers she is
stronger than she ever imagined."
—Booklist
My Heart Stood Still
"Written with poetic grace and a wickedly subtle sense of humor… the essence of pure romance.
Sweet, poignant, and truly magical, this is a rare treat: a romance with characters readers will come to
care about and a love story they will cherish."
—Booklist
"A totally enchanting tale, sensual and breathtaking… An absolute must read."
—Rendevousreviews.com
If I Had You
"Kurland brings history to life… in this tender medieval romance."
—Booklist
"A passionate story filled with danger, intrigue, and sparkling dialogue."
—Rendevousreviews.com
The More I See You
"The superlative Ms. Kurland once again wows her readers with her formidable talent as she weaves a
tale of enchantment that blends history with spellbinding passion and impressive characterization, not to
mention a magnificent plot."
—Rendevousreviews.com
Another Chance to Dream
"Kurland creates a special romance between a memorable knight and his lady."
—Publishers Weekly
The Very Thought of You
"[A] masterpiece… this fabulous tale will enchant anyone who reads it."
—Painted Rock Reviews
This Is All I Ask
"An exceptional read."
—The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"Both powerful and sensitive… a wonderfully rich and rewarding book."
—Susan Wiggs
"A medieval of stunning intensity. Sprinkled with adventure, fantasy, and heart, This Is All I Ask reaches
outside the boundaries of romance to embrace every thoughtful reader, every person of feeling."
—Christina Dodd
A Dance Through Time
"An irresistibly fast and funny romp across time."
—Stella Cameron
"Lynn Kurland's vastly entertaining time travel treats us to a delightful hero and heroine… a humorous
novel of feisty fun, and adventure."
—A Little Romance
"Her heroes are delightful… A wonderful read!"
—Heartland Critiques
Titles by Lynn Kurland
STARDUST OF YESTERDAY
A DANCE THROUGH TIME
THIS IS ALL I ASK
THE VERY THOUGHT OF YOU
ANOTHER CHANCE TO DREAM
THE MORE I SEE YOU
IF I HAD YOU
MY HEART STOOD STILL
FROM THIS MOMENT ON
A GARDEN IN THE RAIN
DREAMS OF STARDUST
Anthologies
A KNIGHT'S VOW
(with Patricia Potter, Deborah Simmons, and Glynnis Campbell)
LOVE CAME JUST IN TIME
THE CHRISTMAS CAT
(with Julie Beard, Barbara Bretton, and Jo Beverley)
CHRISTMAS SPIRITS
(with Casey Claybourne, Elizabeth Bevarly, and Jenny Lykins)
VEILS OF TIME
(with Maggie Shayne, Angle Ray, and Ingrid Weaver)
OPPOSITES ATTRACT
(with Elizabeth Bevarly, Emily Carmichael, and Elda Minger)
TAPESTRY
(with Madeline Hunter, Sherrilyn Kenyon, and Karen Marie Moning)
THE BERKLEY PUBLISHING GROUP
Published by the Penguin Group
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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.
MUCH ADO IN THE MOONLIGHT
A Jove Book / published by arrangement with the author.
PUNTING HISTORY
Jove mass-market edition / May 2006
Copyright © 2006 by Lynn Curland.
Cover design by George Long.
Cover illustration by Grisbach/Manucci.
Handlettering by Ron Zinn.
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 0-515-14127-5
JOVE®
Jove Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,
Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.
JOVE is a registered trademark of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
The "J" design is a trademark belonging to Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
To the ladies
on my board…
Acknowledgments
In addition to my fabulous family who makes life heaven on earth, I would like to thank the following:
Gail Fortune, for giving me my start in this business and for her unwavering faith in my stories;
Anne Sowards, for her wonderful ideas, her eagle eye, and for being willing to take on this complicated
cast of characters;
Leslie Gelbman, for continuing to provide me a place to publish my stories;
Judy G., intrepid camper extraordinaire, for helping me figure out East from West;
And last on this page but foremost in my thoughts on this book, my readers, with an especial thank you
to all those who have made my website and my email inbox wonderful places to be. I always think about
all of you wonderful souls who shell out your hard-earned money for my books (multiple copies, in
numerous cases, to replace those you've loaned out!). Without you, my books would have no home. A
thousand thank-yous!
Cast of Characters
Connor MacDougal, laird of Thorpewold Castle
Victoria McKinnon
Thomas McKinnon, her brother
Iolanthe McKinnon, Thomas's wife
Jennifer McKinnon, Victoria's sister
John McKinnon, Victoria's father
Helen McKinnon, Victoria's mother
Mary MacLeod, Victoria's grandmother
The Boar's Head Trio
Ambrose MacLeod
Hugh McKinnon
Fulbert de Piaget
Mrs. Pruitt, the innkeeper at the Boar's Head Inn
The Actors
Michael Fellini
Cressida Blankenship
Fred, the stage manager
James MacLeod
Prologue
THORPEWOLD, ENGLAND
SPRING 2005
Twilight fell softly on Thorpewold Castle. Its rugged splendor was home to a scene that could have
been played out in any number of medieval keeps across the isle.