Avon, Oct 2003, 5.99, 384 pp.
ISBN: 0060519711
In 1728, dying General Mackintosh arranges for his beloved daughter Margaret to marry their wealthy neighbor Lord Abercauldy. He thought he was doing the right thing to insure Margaret's future until he learns that Abercauldy killed his first wife. Desperate to keep Margaret safe, but unable to ride because he is blind, he sends his daughter to bring home Gregor Grant, the son of the former owner of the estate. Though Gregor lost his inheritance due to the Jacobite Rebellion, he also saved the General's life so Mackintosh believes the lad is honorable.
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Margaret finds Gregor drunk and wounded from a duel over a woman. She persuades him through her courageous actions to come home with her to meet the General although she is disappointed that he does not live up to her image of him based on the drawing she found that he did when he was a teen. The General asks Gregor to marry Margaret to correct his error in judgment. Gregor agrees only if Margaret agrees. She reluctantly does and they wed. Though both already love one another neither trusts the other's motives. They also must contend with an irate spouse and Abercauldy.
This is an exciting eighteenth century romance, though the resolution of the conflict with the villain occurs too easily. The story line moves rapidly forward from the moment Margaret confronts a drunken Gregor until the climax. Gregor and Margaret are a wonderful duet whose mistrust is understandable. The support crew sustains the plot's pace and enables the audience to comprehend what makes the lead duo act as they do. The bottom line is that this is a fun tale that readers will enjoy.
Harriet Klausner
The review of this Book prepared by Harriet Klausner
