The Highlander's Irish Bride by Vanessa Kelly @hfvbt @KensingtonBooks
The Highlander's Irish Bride by Vanessa Kelly
The latest in bestselling author Vanessa Kelly’s intoxicating Clan Kendrick series shines a light on the most respectable member of the Kendrick clan—and the independent woman who stole his heart...
Miss Kathleen Calvert may be the daughter of an Irish aristocrat, but she has no intention of acting like one. All she desires is to return to her family’s estate to raise horses and manage her father’s magnificent gardens. But when a scandal threatens her reputation, her parents order her to a remote Scottish estate, hoping she will finally learn to behave like a proper lady. To make matters worse, her escort is a handsome Highlander who just happens to be the most boring man in all of Scotland...
After a youth of dangerous and wild escapades, Grant Kendrick surprised his family—and himself—by becoming a successful businessman and the most respectable Kendrick brother. But does that matter, when the beautiful and free-spirited Kathleen deems him a stodgy bore? Luckily, he gets the chance to prove her wrong when their carriage is ambushed by thieves. But it will take all his ingenuity to protect the beautiful lass who has stormed her way into his heart—and to convince her that a life with him will be a love-filled adventure...
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Grant Kendrick has just returned home for dinner at his family’s Glasgow mansion, in the company of his eccentric grandfather, Angus MacDonald. Visitors from London, including an intriguing young woman, will be joining them…
Will, the under-butler, answered the door. “Good evening, Mr. Grant. I hope you had a productive day.”
“I did, until a lunatic Highlander forced his way into my office.”
Will didn’t bat an eyelash. “The family and guests are beginning to gather in the drawing-room, sir, but you and Mr. MacDonald have time to change.”
“Thank you. I’ll just be . . .”
The words died on his tongue as he caught sight of a young woman floating down the staircase. He blinked, and then blinked again.
Grant was used to living with beautiful women. His sisters-in-law were all stunners, the sort that stopped men dead in their tracks.
This girl, though? She was just a wee dab of a thing. If lost in thought, a man might pass her on the street and never notice. But with a closer look, there was something . . . something fey about her, as if she’d just stepped out of a fairy ring in a deep Highland glen.
That impression grew stronger as she reached the bottom of the stairs, her skirts seeming to drift on a mountain breeze. The gown was eccentric and charming, a confection of pink silk and white lace that skimmed over her figure. An extraordinary number of gold spangled ribbons encircled her slender waist and cascaded down the front of the gown, some gently flaring as she came toward them. As she passed under the huge chandelier of the center hall, she seemed to shimmer, as if a thousand tiny stars were embedded in the fabric of her gown.
You’re daft, man.
Girls didn’t shimmer or float, or any other stupid image his brain kicked out.
She was very bonny, just as his grandfather had said. With wide-set, pewter-gray eyes, narrow cheekbones, and a sharp little chin, her face looked more elfin than human.
Except for her mouth, which was definitely human and very lush, with a Cupid’s bow curve and a full lower lip. Set against her ethereal features, it made for an intriguing contrast.
Grant liked intriguing. He decided he liked pink gowns and spangled ribbons, too.
The young woman drifted to a halt a few feet away, her mouth tilted in a crooked half smile, as if unsure of her reception.
“You’re starin’, laddie,” Angus whispered.
Of course, what his grandfather considered a whisper could be heard half a block away.
Stop acting like a dolt.
He dredged up a smile. “I take it this is one of our guests. Perhaps you could introduce me, Grandda.”
“That would be preferable to us staring at each other like boobies,” the young lady responded.
The vinegary reply was offset by her light voice and an appealing trace of a brogue—not Scottish, but Irish. That was also intriguing.
After a fraught pause, Grant nudged his grandfather. “Angus?”
“Och, I’m forgettin’ my manners. Happens all the time, ye ken.”
When the girl smiled—a real smile, this time—Grant almost forgot his own name.
“Lady Arnprior warned me that you didn’t have any manners,” she said to Angus. “So I shouldn’t mind if you say something outrageous.”
Good God.
Angus gave her a wink. “I’ll be havin’ a wee chat with her ladyship, defamin’ me like that.”
The girl laughed. “Oh, drat. Now I’ve got us both in trouble, haven’t I?”
“Nothin’ we can’t get out of together, lass. Just follow my lead.”
She dipped him a saucy little curtsy. “I will be sure to do so, Mr. MacDonald.”
“A-hem,” Grant said.
Angus gave a fake start. “I almost forgot about ye. Miss Kathleen Calvert, allow me to introduce my grandson Grant Kendrick.”
Grant bowed. “Miss Calvert, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Welcome to Kendrick House.”
“Thank you, sir.” She tilted her head back, studying him with a thoughtful frown. “I thought Lord Arnprior was tall, but you’re almost a giant. It’s all the clean living, I suppose, not to mention the log tossing. I’ve been told that Scots are fond of log tossing. By your size, I would say you do quite a lot of it.”
Grant’s mind blanked for a moment. “Er, is that a question?”
Miss Calvert studied him for a moment before letting out a sigh, as if disappointed. “I suppose we should go in. The others are waiting.
When she calmly walked off toward the drawing room, Grant turned to his grandfather. “What just happened?”
“Ye got rolled up, son, that’s what happened. Ye’ll have to do better than that.”
“Do better at having bizarre conversations? That’s your forte, not mine.”
Angus snorted. “At least my conversations don’t bore young lassies to death.”
With that annoying and probably truthful bon mot, his grandfather beetled over to the stairs, heading up to the family apartments.
Grant blew out a frustrated breath, then looked at Will. “Is it just me, or is my entire family insane?”
“Dinner in thirty minutes, sir,” the young man politely responded.
Shaking his head, Grant stalked up the stairs.
About the Author
Vanessa’s first Clan Kendrick book, The Highlander Who Protected Me, was a USA Today, Barnes & Noble, and BookScan bestseller. The Highlander’s Christmas Bride, her latest book, hit the top 50 on both the Barnes & Noble mass-market bestseller list and on BookScan. The Renegade Royals Series was a national bestseller, as was The Improper Princesses Series. My Fair Princess was named a Goodreads Romance of the Month and is a USA Today and BookScan bestseller.
When she’s not dreaming of plots for her next Regency novel, Vanessa is writing USA Today Bestselling books with her husband, under the pen name of V.K. Sykes.
You can find Vanessa at vanessakellyauthor.com or at vksykes.com. For all of Vanessa's latest news and contests--and to receive a free story--please sign up for her newsletter on her website.
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Blog Tour Schedule
Tuesday, July 27Excerpt at Novels Alive
Review at Books, Cooks, Looks
Wednesday, July 28
Feature at The Lit Bitch
Review at Gwendalyn's Books
Interview at Books & Benches
Review at Debjani's Thoughts
Excerpt at Books, Ramblings, and Tea
Thursday, July 29
Review at The Romance Dish
Friday, July 30
Excerpt at Reading is My Remedy
Excerpt at Cross My Heart Writing & Reviews
Monday, August 2
Excerpt at SplendeurCaisse
Review at Historical Fiction with Spirit
Tuesday, August 3
Review at Michelle the PA Loves to Read
Wednesday, August 4
Review at Novels Alive
Thursday, August 5
Review & Excerpt at Elodie’s Reading Corner
Friday, August 6
Review at Two Bookish Babes
Saturday, August 7
Excerpt at What Is That Book About
Monday, August 9
Review at Pursuing Stacie
Wednesday, August 11
Interview at Passages to the Past
Friday, August 13
Review at The Enchanted Shelf
Giveaway
During the Blog Tour, we are giving away a paperback copy of The Highlander’s Christmas Bride & The Highlander's English Bride & a $20 Amazon Gift Card! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.The giveaway is open internationally and ends on August 13th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
The Highlander's Irish Bride
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