The Fragrance of Her Name (56 page)

As she studied her husband, she smiled, thinking how much more handsome and attractive he was now…even than he had been when they first met all those years ago. Reaching up she twisted a dainty finger in his hair at the back of his neck.

“
You need a hair trim, Mr. Masterson,” she said.

Taking the piece of straw he’d been chewing out of his mouth and flicking it aside, Brant smiled at Lauryn and said, “You need a kiss, Mrs. Masterson.” Lauryn giggled, delighted as always, by his teasing nature.

“
I do,” she admitted. In an instant, she was in his arms, his skillful kisses sending her heart soaring with love and passion for him. It had always amazed Lauryn, the fact that she never tired of Brant’s kisses. She still craved them as strongly as she had from the first time he’d kissed her.

His lips left hers, and she lay in his arms looking up at him as he gazed down into her face. The pink of the sunset washed over them like a painter’s dream. “I love you, Brant. I love you so much more than ever I did. And I never knew that I could,” she said.

“
I love you, Lauryn,” he told her. “Thank you for finding Laura all those years ago. For finding me…for loving me.” And, as Brant gathered her into his arms once more, as she lay in the bliss of knowing his love, watching the sun set, as it sent violet-pink color to kiss the clouds…Lauryn fancied she sensed a familiar fragrance for a moment. The fragrance of home, of history, of dreams come true. The fragrance of sweet wisteria….the very fragrance of Connemara and enduring, eternal love.



“
Do you think we should tell Mama and Daddy?” Ginny asked. Tenderly, she kissed Michael on the forehead and wiped a smudge of dust from his face.

Keil Masterson stood looking at the giant arbor their father had built to support the wisteria that came from his mother’s family home in Tennessee. He studied the two statues that stood under the arbor protected by the splendid vine that covered it. No one in the valley could ever explain how the Masterson family had been able to nurture wisteria to grow so healthy and so prolific in the dry desert heat of New Mexico. But, Keil thought he knew. And so did Ginny. And even young Michael.

“
Well? Do you, Keil?” Ginny repeated. “Do you think we should tell them?”

“
Tell Daddy and Mama that we haven’t watered Mama’s wisteria in months and months? That we saw a man in a uniform and a lady with sunshine hair cleanin’ bird mess off Henry the other day?” Keil shook his head again. “ They’d never believe us.” He looked to his little sister. “Would they?”

“
Mr. Perfectly Imperfect”
Personified!

About the Author

Marcia Lynn McClure began writing novels as Christmas gifts for her closest friends. She weaves her tales of love, life, laughter and adventure around those compelling, romantic moments which most appeal to a woman’s romantic and loving heart. Gazing out her window into the surreal beauty of the New Mexico desert, she writes her stories inspired by life and imagination. Blissful in the company of her wonderful husband, two sons, a daughter, son-in-law, and grandson, Marcia continues to captivate readers with her own, unique writing style and adored stories.

Visit
www.marcialynnmcclure.com
to order books and e-books by Marcia Lynn McClure.

Also by Marcia Lynn McClure

The Windswept Flame

Weathered Too Young

Beneath the Honeysuckle Vine

Saphyre Snow

A Crimson Frost

The Time of Aspen Falls

The Highwayman of Tanglewood

The Whispered Kiss

The Touch of Sage

The Fragrance of Her Name

Dusty Britches

Shackles of Honor

The Visions of Ransom Lake

The Heavenly Surrender

Daydreams

Divine Deception

An Old-Fashioned Romance

To Echo the Past

Desert Fire

Love Me

Born for Thorton’s Sake

Sudden Storms

The Prairie Prince

E-Books by Marcia Lynn McClure

A Better Reason to Fall in Love

The Tide of the Mermaid Tears

Kiss in the Dark

The Light of the Lovers’ Moon

Sweet Cherry Ray

Kissing Cousins

The Rogue Knight

Weathered Too Young

Historical Romance, 304 Pages

Lark Lawrence was alone. In all the world there was no one who cared for her. Still, there were worse things than independence—and Lark had grown quite capable of providing for herself. Nevertheless, as winter loomed, she suddenly found herself with no means by which to afford food and shelter—destitute.

Yet, Tom Evans was a kind and compassionate man.  When Lark Lawrence appeared on his porch, without pause he hired her to keep house and cook for himself and his cantankerous elder brother, Slater. And although Tom had befriend Lark first, it would be Slater Evans—handsome, brooding and twelve years Lark’s senior—who would unknowingly abduct her heart.

Still, Lark’s true age (which she concealed at first meeting the Evans brothers) was not the only truth she had kept from Slater and Tom Evans. Darker secrets lay imprisoned deep within her heart—and her past. However, it is that secrets are made to be found out—and Lark’s secrets revealed would soon couple with the arrival of a woman from Slater’s past to forever shatter her dreams of winning his love—or so it seemed. Would truth and passion mingle to capture Lark the love she’d never dared to hope for?

The Windswept Flame

Historical Romance, 280 Pages

Broken—irreparably broken. The violent deaths of her father and the young man she’d been engaged to marry, had irrevocably broken Cedar Dale’s heart. Her mother’s heart had been broken, as well—shattered by the loss of her own true love. Thus, pain and anguish—fear and despair—found Cedar Dale, and her mother Flora, returned to the small western town where life had once been happy and filled with hope. Perhaps there, Cedar and her mother would find some resemblance of truly living life—instead of merely existing. And then, a chance meeting with a dream from her past—caused a flicker of wonder to ignite in her bosom.

As a child, Cedar Dale had adored the handsome rancher’s son, Tom Evans. And when chance brought her face-to-face with the object of her childhood fascination once more, Cedar Dale began to believe that perhaps her fragmented heart could be healed.

Yet, could Cedar truly hope to win the regard of such a man above men as was Tom Evans? A man kept occupied with hard work and ambition—a man so desperately sought after by seemingly every woman?

Beneath the Honeysuckle Vine

Historical Romance, 304 Pages

Civil War—no one could flee from the nightmare of battle and the countless lives it devoured. Everyone had sacrificed—suffered profound misery and unimaginable loss. Vivianna Bartholomew was no exception. The war had torn her from her home—orphaned her. The merciless war seemed to take everything—even the man she loved. Still, Vivianna yet knew gratitude—for a kind friend had taken her in upon the death of her parents. Thus, she was cared for—even loved.

Yet, as General Lee surrendered signaling the war’s imminent end—as Vivianna remained with the remnants of the Turner family—her soul clung to the letters written by her lost soldier—to his memory written in her heart. Could a woman ever heal from the loss of such a love? Could a woman’s heart forget that it may find another? Vivianna Bartholomew thought not.

Still, it is often in the world that miracles occur—that love endures even after hope has been abandoned. Thus, one balmy Alabama morning—as two ragged soldiers wound the road toward the Turner house—Vivianna began to know—to know that miracles do exist—that love is never truly lost.

Saphyre Snow

Historical Romance, 250 Pages

Descended of a legendary line of strength and beauty, Saphyre Snow had once known happiness as princess of the Kingdom of Graces. Once a valiant king had ruled in wisdom—once a loving mother had spoken soft words of truth to her daughter. Yet, a strange madness had poisoned great minds—a strange fever inviting Lord Death to linger. Soon it was even Lord Death sought to claim Saphyre Snow for his own—and all Saphyre loved seemed lost.

Thus, Saphyre fled—forced to leave all familiars for necessity of preserving her life. Alone, and without provision, Saphyre knew Lord Death might yet claim her—for how could a princess hope to best the Reaper himself?

Still, fate often provides rescue by extraordinary venues, and Saphyre was not delivered into the hands of Death—but into the hands of those hiding dark secrets in the depths of bruised and bloodied souls. Saphyre knew a measure of hope and asylum in the company of these battered vagabonds. Even she knew love—a secreted love—a forbidden love. Yet it was love itself—even held secret—that would again summon Lord Death to hunt the princess, Saphyre Snow.

A Crimson Frost

Historical Romance, 296 Pages

Beloved of her father, King Dacian, and adored by her people, the Scarlet Princess Monet endeavored to serve her kingdom well—for the people of the Kingdom of Karvana were good, and worthy of service. Long Monet had known that even her marriage would serve her people. Her husband would be chosen for her—for this was the way of royal existence.

Still, as any woman does—peasant or princess—Monet dreamt of owning true love—of owning choice in love. Thus, each time the raven-haired, sapphire-eyed, Crimson Knight of Karvana rode near—Monet knew regret—for in secret, she loved him—and she could not choose him.

As an arrogant king from another kingdom began to wage war against Karvana, Karvana’s king, knights and soldiers answered the challenge. The Princess Monet would also know battle. As the Crimson Knight battled with armor and blade—so the Scarlet Princess would battle in sacrifice and with secrets held. Thus, when the charge was given to preserve the heart of Karvana—Monet endeavored to serve her kingdom and forget her secreted love. Yet, love is not so easily forgotten…

The Highwayman of Tanglewood

Historical Romance, 293 Pages

A chambermaid in the house of Tremeshton, Faris Shayhan well knew torment, despair and trepidation. To Faris it seemed the future stretched long and desolate before her—bleak and as dark as a lonesome midnight path. Still, the moon oft casts hopeful luminosity to light one’s way. So it was that Lady Maranda Rockrimmon cast hope upon Faris—set Faris upon a different path—a path of happiness, serenity and love.

Thus, Faris abandoned the tainted air of Tremeshton in favor of the amethyst sunsets of Loch Loland Castle and her new mistress Lady Rockrimmon. Further, it was on the very night of her emancipation that Faris first met the man of her dreams—the man of every woman’s dreams—the rogue Highwayman of Tanglewood.

Dressed in black and astride his mighty steed, the brave, heroic and dashing rogue Highwayman of Tanglewood stole Faris’ heart as easily as he stole her kiss. Yet, the Highwayman of Tanglewood was encircled in mystery—mystery as thick and as secretive as time itself. Could Faris truly own the heart of a man so entirely enveloped in twilight shadows and dangerous secrets?