Claimed by the Laird

Claimed by the Laird
Nicola Cornick

He will expose her as the criminal he seeks, or seduce her as the woman he desires…An old maid—that's all Lady Christina McMorlan, daughter to the Duke of Forres, is to society now that she's past thirty. She hosts her father's parties and cares for her siblings, knowing she'll never have her own home and family.She has no time to pine, however. By night, she's The Lady, head of a notorious whiskey-smuggling gang that supports her impoverished clan. They're always one step ahead of the revenue man - until Lucas Black shows up.Rejecting his title and the proper society that disparaged his mother, Lucas earns his living running a successful gambling house. He's also a spy, charged with bringing down the Forres Gang. He thinks The Lady's just a bored society spinster. She thinks he's a lost child playing at rebellion.And when the truth comes out, it's not just their love on the line…

He will expose her as the criminal he seeks, or seduce her as the woman he desires…

An old maid—that’s all Lady Christina McMorlan, daughter to the Duke of Forres, is to society now that she’s past thirty. She hosts her father’s parties and cares for her siblings, knowing she’ll never have her own home and family. She has no time to pine, however. By night, she’s The Lady, head of a notorious whiskey-smuggling gang that supports her impoverished clan. They’re always one step ahead of the revenue man—until Lucas Black shows up.

Rejecting his title and the proper society that disparaged his mother, Lucas earns his living running a successful gambling house. He’s also a spy, charged with bringing down the Forres Gang. He thinks The Lady’s just a bored society spinster. She thinks he’s a lost child playing at rebellion. And when the truth comes out, it’s not just their love on the line….

Nicola Cornick’s novels have received acclaim the world over

‘Her books are fabulous.’

—New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn

‘Cornick is first-class, queen of her game.’

—Romance Junkies

‘A rising star of the Regency arena’

—Publishers Weekly

Praise for theSCANDALOUS WOMEN OF THE TON series

‘A riveting read’

—New York Times bestselling author Mary Jo Putney on Whisper of Scandal

‘One of the finest voices in historical romance’

—SingleTitles.com

‘Ethan Ryder (is) a bad boy to die for! A memorable story of intense emotions, scandals, trust, betrayal and all-encompassing love. A fresh and engrossing tale.’

—Romantic TimesonOne Wicked Sin

‘Historical romance at its very best is written by Nicola Cornick.’

—Mary Gramlich,The Reading Reviewer

Acclaim for Nicola’s previous books

‘Witty banter, lively action and sizzling passion’

—Library Journal on Undoing of a Lady

‘RITA

Award-nominated Cornick deftly steeps her latest intriguingly complex Regency historical in a beguiling blend of danger and desire.’ —Booklist on Unmasked

Don’t miss Nicola’sScandalous Women of the Tonseries, available now!

WHISPER OF SCANDAL

ONE WICKED SIN

MISTRESS BY MIDNIGHT

NOTORIOUS

DESIRED

FOR BIDDEN

Also available fromNicola Cornick

THE LADY AND THE LAIRD

ONE NIGHT WITH THE LAIRD

DECEIVED

LORD OF SCANDAL

UNMASKED

THE CONFESSIONS OF A DUCHESS

THE SCANDALS OF AN INNOCENT

THE UNDOING OF A LADY

DAUNTSEY PARK: THE LAST RAKE IN LONDON

Browsewww.mirabooks.co.uk (http://www.mirabooks.co.uk)orwww.nicolacornick.co.uk (http://www.nicolacornick.co.uk)forNicola’s full backlist

Claimed by theLaird

Nicola Cornick

www.mirabooks.co.uk (http://www.mirabooks.co.uk)

Dear Reader, (#ulink_3e34aac2-bbcc-5b92-87ee-b20a596de4f3)

Welcome to Claimed by the Laird, Book Three in the Scottish Brides series! This is Christina’s story. Christina has always been in the shadow of her younger sisters, but now she is swept up into a shocking upstairs-downstairs whirlwind romance—with the new footman at Kilmory Castle!

Lucas Ross is a very unusual footman indeed. Tall, dark and handsome, Lucas is surely too commanding to be a servant, and his affair with Lady Christina MacMorlan is bound to cause scandal. But Lucas has other, secret reasons for being at Kilmory and, when they are revealed, can their love survive the ensuing disgrace?