New Review: Nicola Cornick’s THE LADY AND THE LAIRD – a Regency set in Scotland!

Set in 1803 (prologue) and 1812, this is the story of Robert, Marquis of Methven and Lady Lucy MacMorlan, daughter of the Duke of Forres. Lucy is a scholar with a talent for writing and helps her brother win his ladylove away from Lord Methven, to whom the lady is engaged, by ghost writing erotic love letters. The ploy works and the lady runs off with Lucy’s brother, but Methven is not pleased. Though he had no love for the girl he lost, he needed her to hold his lands.

According to the ancient decree, Robert must wed a descendant of the first Earl of Cardross, the enemy clan of the Methven’s—and now there is only one eligible woman remaining. That would be Lucy, of course. But Lucy, a member of the Highland Ladies Blue Stocking Society, has no desire to marry. And she fears marriage, too, as a result of her twin sister’s untimely death.

This feels like a Regency, but it is set in Scotland. (Aside from the place names, everyone speaks as if they were in London.) If you like Regencies and Scots heroes, this is the one for you. I really liked Robert. He is a strong leader determined to do right by his clan. Lucy was a bit of a paradox, on the one hand strong and independent, and on the other, living in fear. She was the perfect lady until Robert almost ruined her.

The plot was clever and the story well written. Thoroughly enjoyable.

This is the first in the Scottish Brides series:

THE LADY AND THE LAIRD
ONE NIGHT WITH THE LAIRD
CLAIMED BY THE LAIRD