Gelis MacKenzie is one of the most desirable heiresses in
all the Western
Highlands. She is the youngest and much adored
daughter of the indomitable Black Stag of Kintail, Duncan
MacKenzie, who was the hero of Welfonder's novel DEVIL IN
A KILT. Unfortunately, Gelis has been branded
unmarriageable, but not for lack of masculine interest. No
matter how lofty the ancestry, how deep the purse, or how
mighty the sword arm, nary a one of her suitors is good
enough for her father. Although he loves Gelis fiercely
and knows he must someday see her settled and wed,
Duncan isn't quite ready
to let her go.
But now Duncan has received an
offer for Gelis's hand in marriage that he is honor-bound
to accept-and it comes from the worst possible quarter.
The suitor, Ronan MacRuari of Castle Dare, is the last man
Duncan MacKenzie would wish for a son-in-law. Known as the
Raven, Ronan is the scion of a dark clan that has been
marked by a deadly curse.
Ronan and Gelis are
instantly attracted to one another, but they are
immediately estranged. Ronan's last two wives have died
abruptly and he doesn't want to see his vivacious newly-
wed Gelis suffer the same fate, so he distances himself
from her as much as possible. In the meantime, Ronan
searches for the Raven Stone, a fabled treasure that he
believes holds the power of the curse over his clan. But
Gelis has fallen in love with her new husband, and she's
determined to help him. Though Ronan doesn't know it,
Gelis also has the gift of second-sight, and she has seen
a future in which she is destined to help redeem her
cursed husband.