A bestseller when it was first
published in 1954, it has been available only used in paperback or online as a
download from places like Open Library. The edition I read was published in
1978, available used. It’s worth obtaining a copy, trust me. If I could give
this novel more than 5 stars, I would. It’s a keeper and so well written it
would be a good model for authors today. There are no graphic love scenes per
se, the sexual tension is there and much romance to satisfy the historical
romance lover. The writing is simply beautiful.
Set in the Scottish Highlands in 1614, this is the story of Elspeth Lamond, a
beautiful young woman, the product of a handfast marriage twenty years earlier
between her Campbell mother and Lamond father, both Scots. Raised in England,
she is also a favorite at Queen Anne’s court. Her uncle, the powerful Archibald
Campbell, Earl of Argyll, has plans to marry her off to a rich, titled man. But
to fulfill a promise to her dying mother, Elspeth leaves London for the western
coast of Scotland to Inverary, the home of the Campbells, her mother’s clan. On
the way, she is abducted by the MacHughs and held at Rathmor castle where she
was born, the lair of her father, Robert Lamond, and his ally, Sir Alexander
MacHugh, Chief of Clan MacHugh—the feared “Black MacHugh.”
From the very beginning, Alex is attracted to the strong willed Elspeth—a
perfect match for him. He wants her as “his lass,” but does not speak of his
love nor offer her marriage. Elspeth is exasperated by the arrogant Scottish
chieftain who kisses her whenever he likes. But along the way, she discovers
she likes the Scots and the wilds of the Highlands—and she likes the MacHugh.
As her father tells her of the qualities that make Alex stand out as a leader,
respected by all, he says, “…Scotland is a quarrelsome place at times, my dear
Elspeth, and a man must look sharp to keep his head intact upon his shoulders.”
Schemes and treacheries abound in this well told tale, not only from Elspeth’s
uncle, but from Alex’s mistress, the beautiful Kate who would force him to wed
her by any means.
Alex takes a stand with the MacDonalds in their battle for independence in the Isles against the Campbells, who are fighting as King James’s cats paw. The characters are compelling, the action suspenseful and the anxiety as to whether Elspeth will end up with the MacHugh will have you turning pages late into the night.
I liked Alex and Elspeth so much they
are ensconced on my Favorite Heroes & Heroines list and the novel is on my Top 20 list.
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