Set in 1375, mostly in Scotland, this is the
story of Alyson Bowden, bastard half-sister to Lady Maude Darnley of the
English Darleys. Alyson, a maid in the Darnley household, is forced by her
father, to take her half-sister’s identity in order to satisfy a promise he
made. The promise was to their enemies, the Kirallens—to give “his daughter” to
them in marriage to end their long cross-border feud. He would never give them
Maude, the daughter he values, but he will give them Alyson, who agrees only to
save her young brother whose life Darnley has threatened.
I liked this story from the beginning, not only
the concept, but the way the author drew me into Alyson’s predicament. The man
she was forced to wed, Jemmy Kirallen, the disfavored son of his father, now
the heir, believed her to be the haughty Maude, but he wondered at times when
“Maude” would become more intelligent, inquisitive and passionate in his arms.
Alyson holds Jemmy at bay, believing she will
soon be free and can return to her brother. And Jemmy believes he will soon be
free of her. But he wants to leave her with child before he returns to his life
at sea.
Alyson quickly comes to love her new husband
(and given what a great guy he is, one can see why!) However, she fears telling
him the truth—that Darnley plans an attack on the Kirallens—knowing Darnley has
threatened the life of her young brother.
There isn’t much history in this story but there
is certainly enough story to hold your interest, with many twists and turns,
including a foster brother, the Kirallen ghost who haunts the keep and who was
stabbed in the back by Darnley, and some endearing children.
It’s a picture of life in the Borderlands, of
English and Scots warring for many years. And it’s the story of love that can
heal many hurts. Lovers of Scottish historical romance will find depth here and
enough story to keep them turning pages.
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