A Kingdom of Dreams (Westmoreland, #1)

by Judith McNaught

And in that unlikely moment, as she held his dagger poised high, ready to strike, Royce Westmoreland thought she was the most magnificent creature he’d ever beheld; a wild, beautiful, enraged angel of retribution, her chest rising and falling with fury as she courageously confronted an enemy who towered over her. He’d hurt her and humiliated her, Royce realized, but he hadn’t broken that indomitable spirit of hers. Suddenly Royce wasn’t certain he wanted her broken.

but it was more than just her face or her body that attracted him; Jennifer Merrick had a glowing gentleness that warmed him, a fiery spirit that challenged him—and a radiance that kept drawing him toward her with increasing power.

“Some women need no jewels to make them sparkle. You are one of them.”

Twice he had made her feel wondrous, terrifying, exciting things. But today, he had made her feel something else: he had made her feel needed and cherished and wanted, and those last three things she’d longed to feel for as long as she could remember.

Hesitantly, she placed her cold hand in his warm palm, watching as his long, tanned fingers closed around hers, finding a strange reassurance in the warmth of his grip and the compelling look in his eyes.

“It wasn’t a real kingdom with land and castles; it was a kingdom of dreams—a place where things would be just the way I wanted them to be.”

“You wanted to be a heroine to your people,”

“Nay. I wanted only to be loved by those whom I love; to be looked upon and not found wanting by those who know me.”

all he really wanted to do was to snatch her into his arms and cuddle her like an angry kitten.

“I’m entirely surrounded by men whose brilliance is only exceeded by their malice and ambition.”

“What do you think you are doing?”

“I’m abducting your niece.” “Just as I thought.”

“Why is it when you yield, I feel like the one who has been conquered?”

He found it acutely painful when she feared him.

God forgive her, she loved her family’s enemy.