The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie (Mackenzies & McBrides, #1)

by Jennifer Ashley

“Desire is part of it,” she said slowly. “The love for another’s body. But also love for their heart and their mind, and for all the silly things they do, no matter how absurd. Your world brightens when they walk into a room, dims when they leave it again. You want to be with the beloved so you can see him and touch him and hear his voice, but you want his happiness as well. It’s selfish, but not entirely so.”

“Is this what love feels like?” he whispered to her. “I don’t like it, my Beth. It hurts too much.”

“A child.” His eyes widened. “Oh, God. Will it be like me?” “I hope so.” “Why?” He closed his fingers over the fabric, crushing the taffeta. “Why would you hope he’d be like me?” “Well, he might be a she. And I can’t think of anything better than a child who’s just like his father.” She let her voice go low, seductive. “Especially when that father is you.” Ian didn’t look reassured. “He’s a Mackenzie. He’ll be mad.” “But he’ll have an advantage. He’ll have a father and uncles who understand.” She smiled. “Or she. If it’s a girl, of course, she will be perfect.”