title: The Magnificent Rogue: A Novel
author:  Iris Johansen 
description: Kathryn Kentyre has been said to be the illegitimate daughter of Mary, Queen of Scots. For 16 years, Queen Elizabeth has kept her tucked away in the Midlands. With Mary's execution imminent, Elizabeth hits on a daft plan: she coerces the imprisoned pirate Robert MacDarren into marrying Kathryn and taking her to Craighdhu, his home in--of all places--Scotland. Kathryn, who has endured a wretched life in the home of a sadistic vicar, philosophically toddles off with Robert. En route to Scotland, the reluctant bridegroom establishes a "handfast" marriage, which he can dissolve after one year (thus disposing of his politically dangerous spouse) provided Kathryn does not bear a child. Robert's insistence on sleeping with Kathryn is illogical in light of the terms of the marriage and his wish to separate after a year. As Johansen's ( The Tiger Prince ) plot makes its desultory way through increasing romantic and political entanglements toward an ending that is more incredible than surprising, Kathryn establishes herself at Craighdhu, courageously defending her new home and family from one who would use her as a pawn in a plan to seize power. <br />Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
zlib_text: Swept Away By A Wicked Rogue
  
  Tanya Wilde
  
  Chapter 1
  
  _On the steps of an unknown residence_
  
  _Tonight was the night._
  
  Claire Northrup was in search of a man. And she wasn’t overly particular about
  his achievements. It needn’t be a man with a vast fortune or one who possessed
  the finest of things. No indeed, this man might be a sailor or a clergyman,
  perhaps even a playwright. It mattered not what he did for a living, as long
  as he was pleasing to the eye. Though, if she was honest, she wouldn’t mind if
  he were built like one of those fine-looking Greek statues either.
  
  In fact, Claire could quite easily imagine herself trailing her fingers across
  the muscles of such a torso … being caged by such powerful arms … being
  devoured by such expert lips.
  
  A shiver of anticipation stole over her.
  
  As a matter of fact, now that she thought about it, a rogue might be better
  suited for her needs. One who possessed no good intentions, would not think
  twice about ravaging an innocent, and would on