Much Ado In the Moonlight

Table of Contents

 

 

“I dare you to read a ‘Kurland’ story and not enjoy it!”
—Heartland Critiques

“Kurland weaves another fabulous read with just the right amounts of laughter, romance, and fantasy.”

—
Affaire de Coeur

“Kurland crafts some of the most ingenious time-travel romances readers can find. Cleverly merging past and present, she spins a dreamlike web that so completely captivates readers . . . Wonderfully clever and completely enchanting.”

—
Romantic Times Book Club

“
Dreams of Stardust
, by Lynn Kurland, who is truly a masterful storyteller, will enchant you with its spellbinding plot, fascinating characters, and sizzling sensuality. If you thought you were not a fan of time travel, this mesmerizing novel will not only change your mind, but also delight you in the process!”—RomanceJunkies.com

“One of our most beloved time-travel authors and deservedly so. Each new book is cause for celebration!”

—FreshFictionReviews.com

“A terrific time-travel romance.”

—
ParaNormal Romance Reviews

 
A Garden in the Rain

“Kurland laces her exquisitely romantic, utterly bewitching blend of contemporary romance and time travel with a delectable touch of tart wit, leaving readers savoring every word of this superbly written romance.”—
Booklist

“Kurland is clearly one of romance’s finest writers—she consistently delivers the kind of stories readers dream about. Don’t miss this one.”—
The Oakland Press

“A disarming blend of romance, suspense, and heartwarming humor, this book is romantic comedy at its best.”

—
Publishers Weekly

 
“A deftly plotted delight, seasoned with a wonderfully wry sense of humor and graced with endearing, unforgettable characters, including a trio of healer-witches, a rough-around-the-edges hero who can’t understand why all his fiancées flee or faint at the sight of him, and a heroine who discovers she is stronger than she ever imagined.”—
Booklist

 
My Heart Stood Still

“Written with poetic grace and a wickedly subtle sense of humor . . . the essence of pure romance. Sweet, poignant, and truly magical, this is a rare treat: a romance with characters readers will come to care about and a love story they will cherish.”—
Booklist

 
“A totally enchanting tale, sensual and breathtaking . . . An absolute must read.”—Rendevousreviews.com

 
If I Had You

“Kurland brings history to life . . . in this tender medieval romance.”—
Booklist

 
“A passionate story filled with danger, intrigue, and sparkling dialogue.”—Rendevousreviews.com

 
The More I See You

“The superlative Ms. Kurland once again wows her readers with her formidable talent as she weaves a tale of enchantment that blends history with spellbinding passion and impressive characterization, not to mention a magnificent plot.”

—Rendevousreviews.com

“Kurland creates a special romance between a memorable knight and his lady.”—
Publishers Weekly

 
The Very Thought of You

“[A] masterpiece . . . this fabulous tale will enchant anyone who reads it.”—
Painted Rock Reviews

 
This Is All I Ask

“An exceptional read.”—
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

 
“Both powerful and sensitive . . . a wonderfully rich and rewarding book.”—Susan Wiggs

 
“A medieval of stunning intensity. Sprinkled with adventure, fantasy, and heart,
This Is All I Ask
reaches outside the boundaries of romance to embrace every thoughtful reader, every person of feeling.”—Christina Dodd

 
A Dance Through Time

“An irresistibly fast and funny romp across time.”

—Stella Cameron

 
“Lynn Kurland’s vastly entertaining time travel treats us to a delightful hero and heroine . . . a humorous novel of feisty fun, and adventure.”—
A Little Romance

 
“Her heroes are delightful . . . A wonderful read!”

—
Heartland Critiques

STARDUST OF YESTERDAY
A DANCE THROUGH TIME
THIS IS ALL I ASK
THE VERY THOUGHT OF YOU
ANOTHER CHANCE TO DREAM
THE MORE I SEE YOU
IF I HAD YOU
MY HEART STOOD STILL
FROM THIS MOMENT ON
A GARDEN IN THE RAIN
DREAMS OF STARDUST

 
 
Anthologies

 
A KNIGHT’S VOW
(with Patricia Potter, Deborah Simmons, and Glynnis Campbell)

 
LOVE CAME JUST IN TIME

 
THE CHRISTMAS CAT
(with Julie Beard, Barbara Bretton, and Jo Beverley)

 
CHRISTMAS SPIRITS
(with Casey Claybourne, Elizabeth Bevarly, and Jenny Lykins)

 
VEILS OF TIME
(with Maggie Shayne, Angie Ray, and Ingrid Weaver)

 
OPPOSITES ATTRACT
(with Elizabeth Bevarly, Emily Carmichael, and Elda Minger)

 
TAPESTRY
(with Madeline Hunter, Sherrilyn Kenyon, and Karen Marie Moning)

THE BERKLEY PUBLISHING GROUP
Published by the Penguin Group
Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA
Penguin Group (Canada), 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario M4P 2Y3, Canada
(a division of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc.)
Penguin Books Ltd., 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England
Penguin Group Ireland, 25 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland (a division of Penguin Books Ltd.)
Penguin Group (Australia), 250 Camberwell Road, Camberwell, Victoria 3124, Australia
(a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty. Ltd.)
Penguin Books India Pvt. Ltd., 11 Community Centre, Panchsheel Park, New Delhi—110 017, India
Penguin Group (NZ), Cnr. Airborne and Rosedale Roads, Albany, Auckland 1310, New Zealand
(a division of Pearson New Zealand Ltd.)
Penguin Books (South Africa) (Pty.) Ltd., 24 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196, South
Africa

 
Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

 
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

 
MUCH ADO IN THE MOONLIGHT

 
A Jove Book / published by arrangement with the author.

 
PRINTING HISTORY
Jove mass-market edition / May 2006

 
Copyright © 2006 by Lynn Curland.

 
All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

For information, address: The Berkley Publishing Group,
a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,
375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

eISBN : 978-0-515-14127-6

 
JOVE®
Jove Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group,
a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,
375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.
JOVE is a registered trademark of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
The “J” design is a trademark belonging to Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

 

 

In addition to my fabulous family who makes life heaven on earth, I would like to thank the following:

Gail Fortune, for giving me my start in this business and for her unwavering faith in my stories;

Anne Sowards, for her wonderful ideas, her eagle eye, and for being willing to take on this complicated cast of characters;

Leslie Gelbman, for continuing to provide me a place to publish my stories;

Judy G., intrepid camper extraordinaire, for helping me figure out East from West;

And last on this page but foremost in my thoughts on this book, my readers, with an especial thank you to all those who have made my website and my email inbox wonderful places to be. I always think about all of you wonderful souls who shell out your hard-earned money for my books (multiple copies, in numerous cases, to replace those you’ve loaned out!). Without you, my books would have no home. A thousand thank-yous!

CONNOR MACDOUGAL,
laird of Thorpewold Castle

 
VICTORIA MCKINNON
Thomas McKinnon,
her brother
Iolanthe McKinnon,
Thomas’s wife
Jennifer McKinnon,
Victoria’s sister
John McKinnon,
Victoria’s father
Helen McKinnon,
Victoria’s mother
Mary MacLeod,
Victoria’s grandmother

 
THE BOAR’S HEAD TRIO
Ambrose MacLeod
Hugh McKinnon
Fulbert de Piaget

 
MRS. PRUITT,
the innkeeper at the Boar’s Head Inn

 
THE ACTORS
Michael Fellini
Cressida Blankenship
Fred,
the stage manager

 
JAMES MACLEOD

THORPEWOLD, ENGLAND
SPRING 2005

 
Twilight
fell softly on Thorpewold Castle. Its rugged splendor was home to a scene that could have been played out in any number of medieval keeps across the isle.

The laird issued his commands firmly, but justly, and with great concern for his kinsmen. Kinsmen were attentive to their laird’s commands. Peasants went diligently about their work, content with their lot in life and anxious to serve their considerate lord. The air was full of noise from the blacksmith’s hammer and the conversings of livestock. Men commented mildly on the spring chill and the rain that seemed to fall most inconveniently when they were headed out to train.

All in all, ’twas a day much like any other, one that could be lived out on either side of Hadrian’s Wall by men possessing goodly minds and strong arms.