Lord of a Thousand Nights
Read Lord of a Thousand Nights Online
Authors: Madeline Hunter
Praise for the novels of Madeline Hunter
THE PROTECTOR
“Hunter is at home with this medieval setting, and her talent for portraying intelligent, compelling characters seems to develop with each book. This feisty tale is likely to win her the broader readership she deserves.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Madeline Hunter has restored my faith in historicals and in the medieval romance especially. THE PROTECTOR is definitely a wonderful read.”
—All About Romance
BY DESIGN
“Realistic details that make the reader feel they are truly living in the 13th century enhance a story of love that knows no bounds; not social, political or economic barriers. Ms. Hunter's knowledge of the period and her ability to create three dimensional characters who interact with history make her an author medievalists will adore.”
—Romantic Times
“I'd heard a lot about the previous two books in this trilogy,
By Arrangement
and
By Possession
, but little did that prepare me for the experience that was reading this book. Whether you've already enjoyed Ms. Hunter's books or she is a new-to-you author, this is a wonderful, sensual, masterfully written tale of love overcoming odds, and one I heartily recommend.”
—All About Romance
“With each of the books in this series, Ms. Hunter's skill shines like a beacon.”
—Rendezvous
“Ms. Hunter has raised the bar, adding depth and texture to the medieval setting. With well-crafted characters and a delightful love story BY DESIGN is well-plotted and well-timed without the contrived plot twists so often used in romances. I highly recommend BY DESIGN to not only lovers of medieval romance but to all readers.”
—Romance Reviews Today
BY POSSESSION
“With the release of this new volume— [Madeline Hunter] cements her position as one of the brightest new writers in the genre. Brimming with intelligent writing, historical detail and passionate, complex protagonists—. Hunter makes 14th-century England come alive—from the details of its sights, sounds and smells to the political context of this rebellious and dangerous time, when alliances and treason went hand in hand. For all the historical richness of the story, the romantic aspect is never lost, and the poignancy of the characters' seemingly untenable love is truly touching.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Madeline Hunter's tale is a pleasant read with scenes that show the writer's brillance.
By Possession
is — rich in description and details that readers of romance will savor.”
—The Oakland Press
“Ms. Hunter skillfully weaves historical details into a captivating love story that resounds with the sights, sounds, and mores of the middle ages. This is another breathtaking romance from a talented storyteller.”
—Romantic Times
“With elegance and intelligence, Ms. Hunter consolidates her position as one of the best new voices in romance fiction. I'm waiting on tenterhooks to see what is in store for readers in her next book,
By Design
.”
—The Romance Journal
BY ARRANGEMENT
“Debut author Hunter begins this new series with a thoroughly satisfying launch that leaves the reader eager for the next episode in the lives of her engaging characters.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Romance author Madeline Hunter makes a dazzling debut into the genre with her medieval BY ARRANGEMENT, a rich historical with unforgettable characters— Layered with intrigue, history, passion, multidimensional characters, this book has it all. Quite simply, it's one of the best books I've read this year.”
—The Oakland Press
“The first in a marvelous trilogy by a fresh voice in the genre, BY ARRANGEMENT combines historical depth and riveting romance in a manner reminiscent of Roberta Gellis. Ms. Hunter has a true gift for bringing both history and her characters to life, making readers feel a part of the danger and pageantry of the era.”
—Romantic Times
“BY ARRANGEMENT is richly textured, historically fascinating, and filled with surprises.”
—All About Romance
“Splendid in every way.”
—Rendezvous
LESSONS OF DESIRE
THE RULES OF SEDUCTION
LADY OF SIN
LORD OF SIN
THE ROMANTIC
THE CHARMER
THE SINNER
THE SAINT
THE SEDUCER
STEALING HEAVEN
THE PROTECTOR
BY DESIGN
BY POSSESSION
BY ARRANGEMENT
for
THOMAS AND JOSEPH,
WHOSE SMILES MEAN MORE TO ME
THAN ANY WORDS.
SCOTTISH
Maccus Armstrong:
Scottish Lord of Clivedale; he took Harclow from Morvan Fitzwaryn's father
James Armstrong:
Maccus's dead son
Thomas Armstrong:
Maccus's nephew
Margery:
Thomas's wife
Andrew Armstrong:
Kinsman to Maccus, and the steward of Black Lyne Keep
Robert of Kelso:
A knight in service to Maccus, and the lord of Black Lyne Keep
Reyna Graham:
Robert of Kelso's widow
Duncan Graham:
Reyna's father
Aymer Graham:
Reyna's half-brother
Alice:
The cook at Black Lyne Keep
Sir Reginald:
One of Robert of Kelso's knights
Sir Edmund:
Reginald's brother, and a Hospitallar
ENGLISH
Morvan Fitzwaryn:
English knight and dispossessed heir of Harclow
Ian of Guilford:
A knight in Morvan's service
Anna de Leon:
Morvan's wife
Christiana Fitzwaryn:
Morvan's sister
David de Abyndon:
Christiana's husband
Gregory:
An archer in Morvan's service
John:
Ian's squire
The Scottish Border1357
B
e sure he drinks the wine before he gets your clothes off.”
The instruction was merely the last in a litany of warnings that Reyna had heard as she sightlessly felt her way along the cavernous tunnel.
She squeezed the thick hand of the motherly woman who accompanied her. “I will be sure to do it as planned, Alice. They appear a coarse lot, and this siege must be boring. He should be glad for the diversion.”
“There's only one diversion most men are interested in, child. That is the danger, isn't it?”
“Do not worry so.”
The total darkness in the tunnel terrified Reyna, so she moved quickly, one hand securely in Alice's and the other on the wall.
Sounds resonated through the stone beneath her palm. Sappers dug their own tunnel not far from this
one. Over the months, she had come to this hidden exit, torch in hand, and listened, judging their progress. She hadn't worried at first, because surely help must come before they completed their work. It wasn't a large army that surrounded the tower house, and a small force from either Harclow or Clivedale could easily lift the siege. But no relief had arrived, and now the sappers were within days of reaching the surrounding wall. Even more worrisome had been the second excavation progressing on the southern side of the fortress.