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**SHE DESIRES ONLY HIM. . .** Meghan McBride owes her life to the elegant stranger who saved her from a brutal attacker. Death had cruelly taken away her father on this long voyage to America, leaving her alone and prey to the dangers that lay beyond her Irish homeland. Now, in need of a man's protection until they reach Delaware's shores, she agrees to pose as Lucas Ridgely's bride-to-be. **. . .BUT SHE WAS PROMISED TO ANOTHER** Meghan is nothing like the pampered beauties Lucas is used to courting, but this waif-like woman with the haunting air of melancholy stirs something deep inside him. In America, a man waits for her. Bur the thought of Meghan in another's arms drives Lucas almost to madness. Somehow, he must find a way to claim her for his own, to show her the true meaning of passion—and to convince her that promises are made to be broken. . .and true love is meant to be fulfilled. 121,800 Words ** ### Review 1847 finds Meghan McBride sailing to America to join her fiancée, Rafferty O'Connor, who had emigrated ahead of her. Lucas Ridgely, a rich young American, saves Meghan from being raped on board. Meghan feels guilty over the blossoming attraction between herself and Lucas. Little does she know that Rafferty, whom she sees as trustworthy, generous and staid, bullies female customers into bartering sexual favors for goods in the store he manages! Lucas abhors marriage, raised by warring parents. He spent much of his youth with his dear Aunt Flora, a textile magnate. Lucas asks Meghan to be his mistress, but she declines on moral grounds. The two waver between magnetism and misgivings as he sees her safely to her destination. By now, the reader knows that Rafferty has become the kept man of Alicia, his boss' wife. The lovers agree that his marriage will be the perfect cover-up for their ongoing affair. Rafferty sends Meghan a few towns away to work and save her wages for their future while he postpones the wedding to allow her a period of mourning for her late father! Meghan wants to sort out her feelings, so she agrees to the time apart. When Meghan discovers the women working the looms with her are being mistreated by an overseer, she leads a work stoppage. The factory owner's nephew arrives to quell the uprising -- yes, Lucas Ridgely. To stop her upstart activity, but see to it that Meghan is provided for, it's arranged that she will become Flora's personal seamstress. Meghan decides to break the engagement. She goes to find Raff, only to find him making love with yet another woman! He doesn't even go after Meg to try to explain. Then Alicia decides to renew her marriage, dumping Raff. He had expected to have two women; he goes crazy now that he has neither, stalking Meghan. Lucas' claiming her as his own is not destined to be easy, but he is once more, and forever more, her rescuer. Irish Linen includes descriptions of the arousal and sexual activity of male characters in a way this reviewer found more gritty and bold than romantic. The number and frankness of such scenes may be past the comfort level of some readers.If spicy and steamy is your style, Irish Linen will bring you delight! Another skillfully told tale of love from McCarthy -- once more, enjoy the talent that's made her so successful. A tribute to our immigrant ancestors' courage! Come with Meghan McBride on her voyage to America. Conquer with her the challenges her new life brings. Share the adventure, the anguish, the treasure of growing love. McCarthy pulls no punches, in the bedroom or out!Frances Mosconi -- *Copyright © 1994-97 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved* -- *From Literary Times*