Cover

About the Book

A sweeping Western historical romance, from Nicole Jordan, the New York Times bestselling author

A Convenient Bride

Burdened by family debts, Heather Ashford has no choice but to accept the proposal of the ruggedly handsome cattle baron Sloan McCord. But she will not give up on her dreams of romance.

And an Irresistible Groom

However, tormented by a deep sorrow, Sloan keeps his heart well guarded and has vowed never to love again. Although his infant daughter needs a mother, he doesn’t want – or need – a wife. Does his fierce bride of convenience have the strength to heal his broken heart – before he breaks hers?

Rouge romance – the best historical romance novels, perfect for fans of Georgette Heyer.

About the Author

Nicole Jordan is the New York Times bestselling author of numerous historical, Western, and Regency romances. In her former life, Nicole grew up as an Army brat, earned a degree in civil engineering, and spent eight years as a manufacturing manager making disposable diapers and toilet tissue! Currently she lives in the Rocky Mountains of Utah with her real-life hero (her husband) and beloved kids (her horses).

One of Nicole’s novels had the dubious honor of being humorously spotlighted by Jay Leno on “The Tonight Show.” On a more serious note, her books regularly appear on bestseller lists, including The New York Times and USA Today, and have earned such honors as RITA finalist, RWA’s Favorite Book of the Year, and the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Historical Romance.

Also by Nicole Jordan:

The Warrior

To Pleasure a Lady

To Bed a Beauty

To Seduce a Bride

To Romance a Charming Rogue

To Tame a Dangerous Lord

To Desire a Wicked Duke

The Lover

Lord of Desire

Velvet Embrace

Moonwitch

Tender Feud

Wildstar

The Savage

The Heartbreaker

NICOLE
JORDAN

Dedication

To Jay, who makes my heart whole

With love for always

Epigraph

The wounds invisible

That love’s keen arrows make.

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

Prologue

Colorado

February 1887

MOONLIGHT PLAYED OVER her pale, nude body, silvering her fair hair yet obscuring her delicate features in shadow. Sloan McCord groaned as the woman above him gently lowered herself to straddle his taut thighs.

Her lovely, lush form pearlized by moonglow, she bent closer, her ripe breasts teasing him, the budded nipples begging for the touch of his teeth and tongue.

Sloan squeezed his eyes shut as another hot wave of desire ripped through him. He couldn’t see her face. She was a stranger, and yet… he knew her touch. He knew her white, satin-smooth skin… her proud, lush breasts … the lustrous cascade of pale gold hair spilling over her naked shoulders.… Knew her with the hungry, intimate knowledge of a lover.

Her breasts overflowed in his palms as he coaxed her willing body down to receive his hard shaft. His blood pulsed feverishly at her enveloping warmth, and he inhaled a harsh breath, welcoming the fierce heat that surged through him.