LEGEND Read online

  Critical Acclaim for the Marvelous Romances of . . .

  Jude Deveraux

  LEGEND

  “First-rate reading . . . Only Jude Deveraux could mix romance with tongue-in-cheek humor and have it all come out so perfectly right.”

  —Rendezvous

  “This dynamic author widen[s] the boundaries of the genre. . . .”

  —Painted Rock Reviews

  “Another refreshingly optimistic love story . . . Any novel by Deveraux is just plain fun to read, and she keeps readers on the edge of their seats.”

  —The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA)

  THE HEIRESS

  “Deveraux’s novels are always eagerly awaited by her fans, and The Heiress lives up to her usual standards.”

  —The Pilot (Southern Pines, NC)

  REMEMBRANCE

  “Brilliant . . . unforgettable . . . as romantic as A Knight in Shining Armor . . . Ms. Deveraux brings this unusual romance to life, demonstrating that she is a superb craftsman and a mesmerizing storyteller. . . .”

  —Kathe Robin, Romantic Times

  “One of the world’s top romance novelists has outdone herself. . . . This is a book that Deveraux fans who loved A Knight in Shining Armor have anxiously awaited, and it certainly does not disappoint.”

  —Cheryl Rosamond, The Lake Worth Herald (FL)

  A KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR

  “A glorious love story that spans centuries, worlds and souls. It is the epitome of every woman’s fantasy, a knight in shining armor who comes to the modern-day rescue of a distressed damsel. . . . The very special hero and heroine are enchanting and extraordinary.”

  —Chicago Daily Herald

  “The ultimate romance reader’s fantasy . . . A Knight in Shining Armor will capture your heart, make you laugh, cry, and wish this could come true.”

  —Romantic Times

  SWEET LIAR

  “A true thumbs-up.”

  —Los Angeles Daily News

  “A compelling mystery, a stunning love story . . . funny, thrilling, warm and loving . . . Sweet Liar is a contemporary novel that only Jude Deveraux could write and one her fans will devour.”

  —Romantic Times

  “Another sexy winner . . .”

  —Copley News Service

  ETERNITY

  “Get ready to be completely enchanted. . . . Warm and loving, funny and tender . . . an updated fairytale that will lift your heart.”

  —Romantic Times

  “Engaging characters, hilarious dialogue, colorful historical backdrop . . . Deveraux’s tales are tender, funny, warm, and endearing. . . .”

  —The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA)

  MOUNTAIN LAUREL

  “Tenderness, humor, passion, poignancy and memorable romance . . . Mountain Laurel is a delight.”

  —Romantic Times

  “Deveraux fans . . . will welcome yet another pair of feisty, independent souls whose conversation crackles with electricity.”

  —Houston Chronicle

  THE TAMING

  “Vintage Deveraux—a fast-moving, psychologically acute rendition of the battle of the sexes set in a richly textured historical landscape . . . Deveraux’s mastery of every trick of narrative art creates depth and resonance. . . .”

  —Publishers Weekly

  “Delightful . . . The Taming is a winning combination . . . a very funny, engaging, fast-paced read that’s sure to please.”

  —Rave Reviews

  THE AWAKENING

  “A tender, hilarious, intense love story . . . Everything Jude Deveraux readers expect from her passionate pen. . . . This is a keeper.”

  —Romantic Times

  WISHES

  “In Wishes, one of Jude Deveraux’s most enchanting stories, she blends a pinch of magic, a dash of Cinderella fantasy, and spoonfuls of fun into a stunning romance.”

  —Rave Reviews

  “Jude Deveraux always spins a gripping tale. . . . Plenty of passion—and the plot never slackens.”

  —Booklist

  Books by Jude Deveraux

  The Velvet Promise

  Highland Velvet

  Velvet Song

  Velvet Angel

  Sweetbriar

  Counterfeit Lady

  Lost Lady

  River Lady

  Twin of Fire

  Twin of Ice

  The Temptress

  The Raider

  The Princess

  The Awakening

  The Maiden

  The Taming

  The Conquest

  A Knight in Shining Armor

  Wishes

  Mountain Laurel

  The Duchess

  Eternity

  Sweet Liar

  The Invitation

  Remembrance

  The Heiress

  Legend

  Published by POCKET BOOKS

  POCKET BOOKS

  New York London Toronto Sydney Tokyo Singapore

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  POCKET BOOKS, a division of Simon & Schuster Inc.

  1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020

  Visit us on the World Wide Web:

  http://www.SimonSays.com

  Copyright © 1996 by Deveraux, Inc.

  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information address Pocket Books, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020

  ISBN: 0-671-03694-7

  POCKET and colophon are registered trademarks of Simon & Schuster Inc.

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Epilogue

  LEGEND

  Chapter 1

  “I LOOK LIKE A CHOCOLATE MERINGUE PIE,” KADY SAID AS SHE grimaced at her reflection in the tall three-sided mirror. With her dark hair and ivory skin above the absolute white of the frothy wedding dress, she did indeed remind herself of chocolate and whipped egg whites. Cocking her head to one side, she reconsidered. “Or maybe a chicken dumpling. I can’t decide which.”

  From behind her, Debbie, who had been at cooking school with Kady, laughed softly, but Jane did not.

  “I don’t want to hear another word like that,” Jane said sternly. “You hear me, Kady Long? Not one more word! You are absolutely gorgeous and you full well know it.”

  “Gregory certainly knows it,” Debbie said, her eyes wide as she surveyed Kady in the mirror. As one of Kady’s two bridesmaids, she’d flown to Virginia from northern California the night before and had only met Kady’s fiancé this morning. She was still reeling from the experience. Gregory Norman was one terrific-looking man: his face and body all hard angles and planes, with dark hair and eyes that looked at a woman as though to say he’d very much like to make love to her. When he’d raised Debbie’s fingertips to his beautiful lips and kissed them, Debbie’s upper li