Set in 1776, this is the story of Jacob Dare, a half Indian backwoodsman, who is in need of a wife. He wants one from the gentry to bring a lady’s refinement to his rustic home and having seen Lady Catriona Kilcairn, he decides to have her.
Jacob finds a way to manipulate Catriona into accepting his proposal. He will allow her loyalist father to avoid the American Oath of Allegiance, thus saving their colonial home. Catriona thought she would marry the aristocratic Barrett Fairfax, an Englishman, but to save her home she will marry the rough Jacob Dare.
Jacob’s settlement deep in the woods is far from her home and nothing like Catriona imagined. Worse, he expects her to cook and clean, which she has never done. Their wedding night is not a gentle wooing either. Undaunted, Catriona’s spirit rises to the occasion and she wins the respect of all. While there is great chemistry between Jacob and Catriona, there are no words of love. And when she finds Jacob has not fulfilled his part of their bargain and the rebels burn her family’s home, she decides to leave him.
This is a great story and well told, bringing the frontier life to the page and giving us a love story on the eve of the revolution to savor. Two proud people come together for an exciting tale. Jacob is a wonderful hero, strong and stoic and successful in all he sets his mind to. Cat is a loyal Scot of noble background who would sacrifice herself for her family. In the end, both Cat and Jacob will give up something close to their hearts to please the other even as they are planning to separate.
A worthy tale based on solid research into the era and set on the eve of the American Revolution. Highly recommended.
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