Savron.“ He bowed, his expression half mocking, half grave.

„And certainly not for my wife.“

Silver felt a surge of wild unreasoning happiness out of all

proportion to his words. „I see. I didn’t know you made

distinctions of that nature.“

„Then you’ve already learned something new about me.“

Suddenly a frown darkened his brow. „Which reminds me that

we have a few things to discuss.“

„Yes?“

„You’re my wife now and there are a few things I will not

tolerate.“

„Indeed?“

„You will not run wild as you have done since I’ve known

you. My country is different from your own; there are dangers

of which you have no knowledge. You’re not even familiar

with the language.“

Silver’s lashes lowered to veil her eyes.

„You will not go out without a groom or accompanied by

Valentin, Mikhail, or myself.“ Nicholas cast her a wary glance,

but she seemed to be taking the strictures very meekly.

„You will leave the locating of Monteith and his circus to

me.“

Silver smothered a yawn with her hand.

„You will be guided by me in all matters concerning – “

„I’m very tired, Nicholas.“

He gazed at her suspiciously. „That’s all you have to say?“

Silver’s eyes closed. „That’s all I have to say.“

Doubtful, he stared at her for a long moment, then he

shrugged and turned to extinguish the kerosene lamp on the

table by the door. Perhaps it wouldn’t be too difficult a task to

tame a firebird after all. „I’m glad you’re being sensible.“ He

opened the door. „Rest well, Silver.“

The door closed behind him.

At once Silver’s lids flickered open to reveal crystal-gray

eyes shimmering with excitement, anticipation, and a secret

amusement.

She smiled in the darkness.

Don’t miss the enthralling sequel to this book, Satin Ice,

also by Iris Johansen and part of the concluding trinity of THE

DELANEYS, THE UNTAMED YEARS.

THE DELANEY DYNASTY

Three of Bantam’s bestselling romance authors, Kay Hooper,

Iris Johansen and Fayrene Preston, have established a unique

event in romance publishing – the creation of the Delaney

Dynasty – a family filled with fascinating male and female

characters whose love stories are deeply sensual and

unforgettable. Each author’s work stands alone, but read with

the other books is part of a panoramic picture of a colorful,

exciting, and heartwarming family.

The stories of the members of the Delaney Dynasty began

with the publication of THE SHAMROCK TRINITY, the first

trio of contemporary love stories of the Delaney brothers –

Rafe, The Maverick by Kay Hooper; York, The Renegade by

Iris Johansen; and Burke, The Kingpin by Fayrene Preston.

These three romances received such wide acclaim and

generated such a clamor for more stories of the Delaneys that

our authors soon gave us the next three contemporaries – THE

DELANEYS OF KILLAROO: Adelaide, The Enchantress by

Kay Hooper; Matilda, The Adventuress by Iris Johansen; and

Sydney, The Temptress by Fayrene Preston.

The authors’ fascination with the Delaneys grew and,

particularly, they were captivated by the daring and romantic

ancestors who started it all. Thus, the Delaney historicals were

created, one of which you have just read.

Setting the stage for the trilogy THE DELANEYS, THE

UNTAMED YEARS, though, was THIS FIERCE

SPLENDOR by Iris Johansen. In the pages that follow we are

giving you excerpts of THE DELANEYS OF KILLAROO,

THIS FIERCE SPLENDOR, and two of the other books of the

trilogy THE DELANEYS, THE UNTAMED YEARS. We

hope these excerpts will tempt you to get any of the books you

may have missed… as well as to look forward to the second

and last set of historical novels that will follow up THE

UNTAMED YEARS and be published in the late fall of 1988.