title: Kissing the Countess
author:  Susan King 
description: Evan Mackenzie, the tragic hero in the first two books of King's Scottish Victorian trilogy (<i>Taming the Heiress</i> [BKL Jl 03] and <i>Waking the Princess</i> [BKL S 1 03]), finally finds his match when he literally falls in love by plunging down an icy slope during his climbing holiday. Catriona MacConn, a strong, hearty Highland lass, rescues the unconscious Evan and drags him to a half-ruined crofter's hut. Fortunately, they can lie together under her plaid to stay warm. Unfortunately, a search party--including her father, the Reverend MacConn--discovers them the next morning. Worse than that, Evan is the new Earl of Kildonan, and his father has evicted almost all of Catriona's friends and relatives from his lands. They marry but have much to work out, especially because, in addition to collecting the Highland songs of human and faery, Catriona helps smuggle evicted villagers back to their homes. With a little history, a little magic, and a lot of Highland charm, King has created another winner. <i>Shelley Mosley</i><br><i>Copyright &#169; American Library Association. All rights reserved</i>
zlib_text: “I know when a man has kissed me,”
  she said to Duke Prescott. But Princess Meredith Elizabeth Penwyck wasn’t sure. Not at all. For all
  she knew, she might have imagined that returned pressure of his lips. That sense that he was kissing
  her back, feeling some semblance of the madness that had stricken her. Imagination? Wishful thinking?
  His head lowered an inch and she barely kept herself from taking an unthinkable step away from him.
  “When I do kiss you, Your Royal Highness, I assure you that you’ll know it.”
  She locked her knees to keep them from wobbling. “When?”
  “If.”
  “It’s not like you to retreat, Colonel. Or misspeak.”
  “Of course.” His expression was once again frustratingly inscrutable. “Good morning, then, Your
  Royal Highness.”
  Meredith watched him leave.
  When he kissed her?
  If only.
  
  The Princess and the Duke
  ALLISON LEIGH
  
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