The Highlander Who Protected Me

Vanessa Kelly

Oct 2018 · Clan Kendrick Book 1 · Zebra Books

About this eBook

This ebook contains a bonus epilogue!

Bestselling author Vanessa Kelly returns with an enthralling new series about the men of the Kendrick clan—and the women who claim their hearts . . .

Lady Ainsley Matthews, heiress and darling of the ton, was expected to make a magnificent match. Instead she’s hiding on a remote Scottish estate, terrified that her vicious former fiancé will use her pregnancy to force her into marriage. One man can help her—Royal Kendrick, son of a distinguished Highland clan. Though a mistake drove them apart long ago, Royal is the only person Ainsley trusts to protect her baby—even if that means agreeing to never see either of them again . . .

Scarred in body and soul by war, Royal suddenly has a purpose—caring for an innocent babe and thereby helping the woman he can’t stop loving. But when Ainsley ultimately returns to Scotland, determined to be a real mother to her child in spite of the risk, there’s only one solution: marriage. And only one likely outcome: surrendering to the desire that’s simmered between them for so long, no matter how dangerous it may be . . .

Praise for Vanessa Kelly’s Improper Princesses series

“A thoroughly satisfying Regency romance.” —Publishers Weekly

“An enjoyable, thoughtful romance.” —Kirkus Reviews

Ratings and reviews

What a great start to this new series! Vanessa Kelly writes such wonderful stories full of great characters and takes you on such an emotional ride. Lady Ainsley Matthews is woman that every male in the ton wants as their wife and every female wishes she could be. Beautiful and rich, what more could Ainsley want....certainly not the ex-fiance her father wants her to marry.....even if he did force himself upon her leaving her pregnant! Instead, Ainsley hides out at her crazy Aunt's remote Scottish estate until after the baby is born. Until then she has to figure out what to do. Ainsley has always been drawn to Royal Kendrick, son of a distinguished Highland clan but knew her father would never approve such a marriage. Instead Ainsley asks Royal's help in protecting her baby. She wants him to take the baby as raise it as his own. Royal reluctantly agrees. He has been looking for a purpose in life since he came back injured from the war and now he has one. He may not be able to have Ainsley as his wife, but he has the next best thing, her child. When Ainsley comes back into their life because she cannot stand to be away from her child, she puts everyone in danger. Royal realizes that the only way he can protect Ainsley and her baby is for them to get married. What starts out as a marriage of convenience quickly turns into something more. When both of them realize that they have strong feelings for each other, that is when the fun begins. It was a joy watching these two realizing their feelings for each other. Ainsley can be so stubborn at times and Royal didn't usually fall for it. I just adored the way Royal's entire family came to protect Ainsley and her baby, especially Royal's grandfather, Angus....he was a hoot! I really enjoyed the ride Royal and Ainsley went on to get to their happy ending. It was fun, entertaining and sexy all wrapped into one story!

A story that will pull at your heartstrings and take you back in time to London and Scotland. "In the spare winter moonlight, she glowed with a beauty that lit up the corners of Royal Kendrick's battered soul. He felt alive again." How beautiful is that? The opening line alone drew me in and I could not stop until the last page. This is a story of two damaged souls who need each other, but have a journey to fully find happiness. The first meeting Royal had with Ainsley, he was enchanted. She was the glowing lady of the ton with an inheritance that would tempt any man. I fell in love with Royal, who was wounded in body and soul by the war and strives to rejoin life again. When Ainsley comes to him, leaving a precious gift for him to care for, her child, he feels he has a purpose in life. Can the two come together and be happy? The first book in a new series, there is everything to love about this tale. A Scottish warrior, an English lady who has had her own trials and of secondary characters who bring humor when needed. Vanessa Kelly with her wonderful prose has written a story not soon forgotten and has me waiting on the next installment of the Clan Kendrick!! I read this through NetGallery

Lady Ainsley Matthews, heiress and darling of the ton, was expected to make a magnificent match to the Marquis of Cringlewood. Instead she’s hiding on a remote Scottish estate, terrified that her vicious former fiancé will use her pregnancy to force her into marriage. Royal Kendrick is the only person Ainsley trusts to protect her baby—even if that means agreeing to never see either of them again. Royal badly injured ay Waterloo the previous year has been drifting but suddenly has a purpose—caring for an innocent babe and thereby helping the woman he can’t stop loving. But when Ainsley ultimately returns to Scotland, determined to be a real mother to her child in spite of the risk, there’s only one solution: marriage. This is the first book of a new series but follows on from The Highlander’s Princess Bride from the ‘The Improper Princesses’ series. We met Ainsley & Royal in that book which was Nick & Victoria's story. I found this book very hard to put down & luckily for me I was on a long train journey & it was amazing how fast a four hour journey sped by. Whilst I loved much of the book & was thinking a five star read I felt let down by the ending. There were so many loose ends & everything was left hanging. I hope they are resolved in the next book which I want to read now.I also felt so sorry for Royal that he was once again put in an untenable position by Ainsley & I seriously wondered how he could still be besotted with her - but they say love is blind! I loved the Kendrick brothers & hope they all have their stories. I adore Angus & as he's with Royal I hope he'll feature heavily in the next book. I didn’t warn to Ainsley when I first met her & my opinion didn’t change I found her self centred, spoilt & secretive My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

About the author

Vanessa Kelly is a bestselling author of historical mystery and historical romance. She has won multiple awards, including the prestigious Maggie Medallion for best historical romance. She is a USA Today, Barnes & Noble, BookScan, and Amazon bestseller several times over. To date, her books have been published in eleven languages. After receiving her MA in English literature from Rutgers University, Vanessa spent several years in the Ph.D program at the University of Toronto, studying women authors of the 18th Century. She worked as a researcher for many years, and currently resides in Ottawa, Canada, with her husband. Visit her at VanessaKellyAuthor.com.