Kathleen E. Woodiwiss - A Rose In Winter, Kathleen WoodWiss
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
//-->A Rose In WinterA Rose In WinterA Rose In Winterby Kathleene WoodwissKathleen E.Woodiwiss“A LEGEND!”Atlanta Journal and Constitution“A PUBLISHING PHENOMENON!”The New York Times“THE FIRST LADY OF THE GENRE!”Publishers WeeklyA RoseIn Winter“AN EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY VERSION OFBEAUTY AND THE BEAST!”Cosmopolitan“ELEGANT ... SENSUAL ...WOODIWISS REIGNS!”LifeOther Avon Books byKathleen E. WoodiwissAshes in the WindCome Love a StrangerThe Flame and the FlowerForever in Your EmbraceShannaSo Worthy My Love The Wolf and the DoveAnd the Romantic Anthologies FeaturingKathleen E. WoodiwissMarried at MidnightThree Weddings and a KissComing SoonPetals on the RiverAvon Books are available at special quantity discounts for bulk purchases for sales promo-tions, premiums, fund raising or educationaluse. Special books, or book excerpts, can also be created to fit specific needs.For details write or telephone the office of the Director of Special Markets, Avon Books, Dept.FP, 1350 Avenue of the Americas,New York, New York 10019, 1-800-238-0658.Kathleen E.WoodiwissA RoseIn WinterAVON BOOKS NEW YORKIf you purchased this book without a cover, you should be aware that this book is stolenproperty. It was reported as “unsold anddestroyed” to the publisher, and neither the author nor the publisher has received any pay-ment for this “stripped book.”AVON BOOKSA division ofThe Hearst Corporation1350 Avenue of the AmericasNew York, New York 10019Copyright © 1982 by Kathleen E. WoodiwissPublished by arrangement with the authorLibrary of Congress Catalog Card Number: 82-13932ISBN: 0-380-84400-1All rights reserved, which includes the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof inany form whatsoever except as provided bythe U.S. Copyright Law. For information address Avon Books.First Avon Books Mass Market Printing: OctoberAVON T RADEMARK REG. U.S. PAT. OFF. AND IN OTHER COUNTRIES, MARCA REGISTRADA, HECHO EN U.S.A.Printed in U.S.A.RA 30 29 28 27 26Dedicated to those readers who havewritten letters of encouragement.Thank you. You're appreciated.K. E. W.A ROSE IN WINTERA crimson bloom in winter's snow,Born out of time, like a maiden's woe,Spawned in a season when the chill winds blow.'Twas found in a sheltered spot,Bright sterling gules and blemished not,Red as a drop o' blood from the broken heart,Of the maid who waits and weeps atop the tor,Left behind by yon argent knight sworn to war,'Til ajousting and aquesting he goes no more.Fear not, Sweet Jo, amoulderin' on the moor.The winter's rose doth promise in the fading runes of yore,That true love once found will again be restored.Chapter OneOctober 23, 1792Northern England“MARRIAGE!"Erienne Fleming drew back from the hearth and slammed thepoker into the stand, venting a growing vexation with the stillyoung day. Outside, the cavorting wind gleefully whipped large,splashing raindrops and stinging shards of sleet against the leadedwindowpanes to mock with its carefree abandon the bondage shefelt in her spirit. The rolling chaos of dark clouds churning closeabove the tiled roof of the mayor's cottage mirrored the mood ofthis trim, dark-haired young woman whose eyes flashed with aviolet fire of their own as she glared down into the flames.“Marriage!”The word flared afresh in her brain. Once the symbol of agirlhood dream, of late it had become more a synonym forfoolery. It was not that she opposed the institution. Oh, no! Underthe careful guidance of her mother, she had prepared herself tobe a fitting spouse for any man. It was only that her father, thatself-same mayor of Mawbry, was bent on matching her to anywealthy purse, regardless of what foppish, obese, or bone-thincaricature of a man bore it to her door. All other desirable traits,including manners, seemed unimportant to him. Indeed, not evento be considered. If the man be rich and willing to wed, then hewas a likely candidate for her hand. A sorry lot they had provento be, and yet—Erienne's finely arched brows drew together insudden doubt—perhaps they were the best her father could do
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]