on>
The tickle at the back of Taylor’s neck stood her hair on end.
She whirled around, her gaze staring into the darkness of the garden. Someone was watching her, staring from the safety of some hidden place. She gasped for air as if all the oxygen had been taken away from her.
“Who’s there? Who…?” The words came out as a whisper then they died in her mouth. Her heart pounded in her chest and the sound roared in her ears. A wall of fear surrounded her. She forced her feet to move, to carry her toward the house. Her plodding steps turned into a run as she headed for the light at the kitchen door.
“Where have you been?” The words came at her from the darkness. A jolt of adrenaline raced through her body before she identified the voice as Donovan’s. Then he grabbed hold of her arm and pulled her toward him….
Dear Harlequin Intrigue Reader,
You won’t be able to resist a single one of our May books. We have a lineup so shiver inducing that you may forget summer’s almost here!
Executive Bodyguard is the second book in Debra Webb’s exciting new trilogy, THE ENFORCERS. For the thrilling conclusion, be sure you pick up Man of Her Dreams in June.
Amanda Stevens concludes her MATCHMAKERS UNDERGROUND series with Matters of Seduction. And the Montana McCalls are back, in B.J. Daniels’s Ambushed!
We also have two special premiers for you. Kathleen Long debuts in Harlequin Intrigue with Silent Warning, a chilling thriller. And LIPSTICK LTD., our special promotion featuring sexy, sassy sleuths, kicks off with Darlene Scalera’s Straight Silver.
A few of your favorite Harlequin Intrigue authors have some special books you’ll love. Rita Herron’s A Breath Away is available this month from HQN Books. And, in June, Joanna Wayne’s The Gentlemen’s Club is being published by Signature Spotlight.
Harlequin Intrigue brings you the best in breathtaking romantic suspense with six fabulous books to enjoy. Please write to us—we love to hear from our readers.
Sincerely,
Denise O’Sullivan
Senior Editor
Harlequin Intrigue
The Sedgwick Curse
Shawna Delacorte
MILLS & BOON
Before you start reading, why not sign up?
Thank you for downloading this Mills & Boon book. If you want to hear about exclusive discounts, special offers and competitions, sign up to our email newsletter today!
Or simply visit
Mills & Boon emails are completely free to receive and you can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email we send you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Although award-winning author Shawna Delacorte has lived most of her life in Los Angeles and has a background working in television production, she is currently living in Wichita, Kansas. Among her writing accomplishments she is honored to include her placement on the USA TODAY bestseller list. In addition to writing full-time, she teaches a fiction writing class in the Division of Continuing Education at Wichita State University. Shawna enjoys hearing from her readers and can be reached at 6505 E. Central, Box #300, Wichita, KS 67206. You may also visit her at her author page at the Harlequin Web site—www.eHarlequin.com.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Lord Donovan Sedgwick—He inherited the title upon the death of his father, James Sedgwick, though he hasn’t come to grips with his father’s sudden death.
Taylor MacKenzie—She presented herself at Sedgwick Manor as a writer doing research on British country festivals, a ploy to cover her real reason for traveling from Kansas to the English countryside, and specifically to the Sedgwick estate.
George Bradley—Head of staff for the Sedgwick estate, as other members of the Bradley family have been for one hundred and fifty years. There are no secrets in the Sedgwick family history or hidden places on the estate that members of the Bradley family haven’t known about throughout the ages.
Michael Edgeware—The police inspector in charge of investigating the murders has known the Sedgwick family for years. Donovan’s father was responsible for him being passed over for a promotion. Does he carry his resentment over to Donovan?
Jeremy Edwards—Owner of the village inn that has been in the Edwards’ family for generations. Does he know something through his family history about the original murders that was never in the newspapers or part of a police report?
Alexander Sedgwick—Donovan’s cousin, a playboy with a penchant for the gaming tables of London. Donovan has paid off several of Alex’s gambling debts in the past.
Constance Smythe—She has her eye on Donovan as a marriage prospect and covets the status of Lady of the Manor. Could she be the rumored descendent of the illegitimate son William Sedgwick fathered over one hundred years ago and have a legal claim against the Sedgwick estate?
Byron Treadwell—Head of the village newspaper that has been in the family for generations. The Treadwells and Sedgwicks have been adversaries since the original murders committed by William Sedgwick one hundred years ago. Byron has a personal grudge against Donovan Sedgwick.
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter One
“What the hell—”
