Diana Palmer - Bound by a Promise

Nobody tops Diana Palmer when it comes to delivering pure, undiluted romance. I love her stories.

New York Times bestselling author Jayne Ann Krentz

Diana Palmer is a mesmerizing storyteller who captures the essence of what a romance should be.

Affaire de Coeur

Diana Palmer is a unique talent in the romance industry. Her writing combines wit, humor, and sensuality; and, as the song says, nobody does it better!

New York Times bestselling author Linda Howard

No one beats this author for sensual anticipation.

Rave Reviews

A love story that is pure and enjoyable.

Romantic Times on Lord of the Desert

The dialogue is charming, the characters likeable and the sex sizzling

Publishers Weekly on Once in Paris

Diana Palmer has published over seventy category romances, as well as historical romances and longer contemporary works. With over forty million copies of her books in print, New York Times bestselling author Diana Palmer is one of North Americas most beloved authors. Her accolades include seven national Waldenbooks bestseller awards, four national B. Dalton bestseller awards, two Bookrak national sales awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award for series storytelling from Romantic Times magazine, several Affaire de Coeur awards and two regional RWA awards. Diana resides in the north mountains of her home state of Georgia with her husband, James, and their son, Blayne Edward.

H e was standing alone by the shore, a big, solitary figure against the thin mist that blanketed the silvery water in the early morning. Kathryn had seen him there before a number of times since she and Maude had moved into the lake house for the summer. But keeping up with the famous authors blazing deadlines had only allowed for a few brief outings on the lake for Kate, one of which the man standing there had shattered with his arrogance.

Kathryn Summers was curious about Garet Cambridge, even while she resented everything he stood for. His aircraft corporation was one of the biggest in the country, and his genius for designing new planes had earned him an international reputation. But all it meant to Kathryn was that he could buy people.

She knew too much about prices already, having just been thrown over by the man she loved when he found out that her social pedigree didnt meet his familys exacting standards. The daughter of a small Texas cattle rancher whose parents were divorced was hardly a likely candidate for the social register. In fact, it was only this job, working for the notorious Maude Niccole, that made it possible for her to keep her fathers ranch from being put on the auction block. His health was steadily failing, and so were the ranchs profits.

She glared at Cambridge unconsciously from her perch on a log beside the spreading waters of Lake Lanier. Shed come here for the peace and quiet, and she wished hed decided to spend his summer in Europe or Miami instead of here. Perhaps he thought the reporters who trailed him might not think of looking for him on a North Georgia lake. And apparently they hadnt, because he was alone; a ghostly figure in brown slacks and a cream open-necked sports shirt, his dark hair lifting in the breeze.

As if he felt the intensity of emotion in the glare of her pale brown eyes, he turned suddenly and saw her sitting there, with her silver blonde hair flowing down like silk around her thin shoulders.

He moved forward with his hands in his pockets until he was standing over her, towering over her, and his leaf green eyes glittered down at her out of a face as dark as a Native Americans.

Youre trespassing, he said gruffly, not even bothering with polite conversation.

She cocked her head up at him. Excuse me, I wasnt aware that you owned the shoreline as well as the lake, she said bitterly, referring to an earlier incident between them, when hed practically ordered her off the lake.

One dark eyebrow went up at the sarcasm. I own fifty acres of shoreline, he said quietly. What youre sitting on is part of it. I came here for privacy, not to be hounded by curiosity seekers.

Shed have given anything at that moment to have had wealth enough, power enough, to tell him where to go. But she had nothing, and he could force her to go easily enough. She got up from the stump without another word, brushing off her blue denim jeans. With a sigh of resignation, she started back toward Maudes luxurious beach house.

Who are you? he growled after her.

Amelia Earhart, she replied carelessly. Do keep your eyes peeled for my plane, I seem to have misplaced it, she added, and kept right on walking.

Behind her, she imagined she heard the deep sound of a mans laughter.

Maude was waiting for her in the sprawling living room, her bags packed, her thin face nervous.

Thank goodness, youre back! the novelist sighed. I thought youd never come home! Kate, Ive just gotten a telegram. My fathers in the hospital, and Ive got to fly to Paris immediately.

Im sorry, Kate said with genuine concern.

So am I, Maude said sadly. Im very fond of the old scalawag, even if he did disown me when I announced that Id decided to become a romance writer. Honey, will you be okay here until I get back? I dont have any idea how long its going to take.

Kate nodded and smiled, hating that drawn, hurt look on her employers face, the sadness in Maudes pale blue eyes framed by salt and pepper curly hair. Ill finish typing the manuscript while youre gone.

Maude nodded, looking around to see if shed forgotten anything. Dont overlook that page of changes I wrote last nightI think its in the top desk drawer. And, for goodness sake, keep your door locked at night!

I will. Dont worry about me.

I cant help it, Maude said with a quick smile. Youre so reckless lately, Kate. Is it the job? Do you want out?

No, its not that, came the quick reply. Ioh, I dont know, maybe its the weather. Its so hot.

The weather, or memories? the older woman probed. Jesse Drewe was a triple-A heel, my love, you deserve better.

Kate shifted from one foot to the other restlessly. Id have liked to be turned down for myself, she said softly, not for my lack of money and social standing. It hurt.

I know, but we dont always love to order, Maude said, and mores the pity. Youll get over it. I know you dont think so now, but you will.

Of course, Kate said, even though she didnt believe it. Have a safe trip, and let me know you got there all right.

Ill send you a cable, I promise, Maude replied. Where were you, anyway? she asked idly as she picked up one suitcase, leaving the other for Kate to bring as she went out the door and headed for the rented car.

On the beach, she replied. At least I was until Mr. Cambridge Aircraft Corporation ordered me off his lake.

Garet, again? Maude sighed. Oh, Kate, why cant you be kind to that man? Youve already had one run-in with him over the way you were speeding in the boat.

He doesnt own the lake, Kate said stubbornly, remembering too well the cold voice telling her if she didnt stop driving over the lake like a maniac hed have the lake patrol after her. Shed told him where to go, recognizing him immediately from photos shed seen in news magazines, and zoomed off in Maudes little light cruiser. Since that day, shed seen him often walking alone on the beach, but hed never spoken to her again, and shed never allowed him close enough to make it possible.

He owns enough of the lake, Maude replied. She took Kate by the shoulders, smiling at her sullen look. Dont match wits with him. He can hurt you. Dont try to make him pay for Jesses behavior. Jesse was only a boy. Garet she paused, searching for the words, Garets a law unto himself. He makes up his own rules as he goes along. Be careful you dont break any of them. He makes an utterly ruthless enemy.