The Thorn in her Side: The Rose and the Thistle Series, #0.5

By Violet Malvik

An English rose they called her, fair and strong; but the Grey Thistle Knight's thorns are sharp enough to pierce a Sassenach heart.

 

Ever since she was a little girl, Emeline was taught by her father, Lieutenant Arthur Thorne, to fear the Scottish. Therefore, when her father dies the night he announces her betrothal to Laird Ian MacLeod, Emeline is as devastated as she is shocked. Now, she has no choice but to follow through with the marriage, planning to escape her arranged fate at any given chance along her journey.

 

But in the dark, hostile Highlands, death, fire, and ruin make life harsh and unforgiving. And when Emeline arrives at the MacLeod Keep, a cruel twist of fate has it that instead of the gentle Ian, she must marry his brother, Manus, a beastly Highlander who hates the English with a deadly force. A man who has taken Ian's place as the Laird and makes her blood boil, but not solely with anger…

 

The lost heir of clan MacLeod, Manus, goes by the title of the Grey Thistle Knight. After his family's castle was attacked by an English raid and his father was killed before his eyes, Manus was snatched away by a band of mercenaries, who raised him as one of their own. Years later, discovered by his true clan and his brother, Manus cannot adapt to his new life.

 

But when his brother is brutally murdered in his bed, Manus will have to accept the title of Laird and take his brother's place in the betrothal – an alliance between clan MacLeod and the English. Marrying was never part of his plans, and the Sassenach lass rubs him the wrong way, but Manus would rather die than see more innocent blood spilled, especially the blood of a lady he finds irresistible against his every will and instinct.

 

"The Thorn in her Side" is a standalone prequel to the series, "The Rose and the Thistle," packed with breathtakingly action, secrets, twists, passion, and sizzling romance, set in the tumultuous Scottish Highlands!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Violet Malvik
• Release date: May 5, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201019099

Book preview

Chapter 1

1770, Thorne Estate, Northumbria, England

Emeline knew that her father would not approve of her eavesdropping on his meeting in his study with his friend, Lord Flynn Huxley, but she couldn’t help herself. On her way to the library to gather herself another book before she slept, she had overheard her name being spoken.

What person would be able to walk by a conversation about themselves?

It is official, Lieutenant Arthur Thorne declared proudly. Emeline could tell that he had been drinking his whiskey because of the slight slur in his words. Once I have cut ties with the army, the agreement with Scottish nobility will go forth. It shall be highly profitable for the Thorne family.

Emeline’s chest grew tight. She did not like her father fighting, especially at his age of three and fifty years, but she could not envision his life without the battles. What would he do with himself?

I take that to mean the betrothal has been accepted? Flynn asked.

Betrothal? Emeline’s blood ran cold. Was her father planning on taking on a new wife? He had been alone ever since her mother passed away when she was just a little girl, and she assumed it would always be that way. But perhaps she was wrong…

The Scottish Laird, Ian MacLeod, is very happy with his bride-to-be.

Emeline sucked in a sharp gasp of shock. Her head spun, she could not quite fathom what these words meant. It was certainly not her father planning to wed

How has your daughter taken this news?

I have not said a thing as yet, she heard her father’s voice responding.

Emeline was not even thinking anymore. She had stopped worrying about being caught out for the eavesdropping because what she had just heard was too terrible for words.

Father, what are you saying? she gasped, a wild panicked sensation gripping hard onto her. She held on to the door frame in an attempt to keep her standing upright.

Emeline, Arthur Thorne frowned. What are you doing here?

She parted her lips, about to explain herself, but decided against it at the last minute. This was not a situation where she had to do the talking. Her betrayal was nothing compared to his.

I just heard you saying that I am betrothed to some man I have never met…

The Scottish Laird, Ian MacLeod, her father replied coolly, not allowing her mood to rile him up. He is a fine gentleman who can give you the sort of life you deserve.

In Scotland? Emeline swallowed hard. I do not wish to live so far away.

She did not know everything there was to know about the war, but she was very certain that she would be in enemy territory. Her presence would not be welcomed by most, and she did not want to go there. Perhaps at two and twenty years of age, she should have been searching for a man to marry, but she did not wish for it to occur this way.

This will be good for the family, her father reminded her. He glanced to his left-hand side, but judging by the way the gentleman folded his arms across his chest and took a step backward, he did not wish to be involved in this family debate. Your marriage will solidify the bonds between clan McLeod and the Thorne family.

"But that is not