Sitting with her new future husband at the betrothal
dinner, Jenny, Baroness Easdale, mentally tallies all the
reasons she does not want this drunken young fool. Her
uncle, acting as her guardian after the unexpected death of
her father, picked Reid against her wishes for his powerful
family connections. Unwilling to submit to further pawing,
Jenny succumbs to the lure of adventure and joins a
traveling minstrel troupe for one last taste of freedom.
The small excursion gives way to a desire for greater
freedom until a certain man arrives with his own agenda.
Sir Hugh Douglas returns home for his younger brother's
wedding. He left Reid in his sister's care after the death
of his wife and child. Hugh did not realize the injustice
he did to his brother. Reid is a drunken lout without
manners or good judgment. When Jenny flees, her guardian
Dunwythie, begs Hugh to bring Jenny home. Hugh's reputation
as a competent warrior will prevent scandal and provide a
quick resolution. Hugh has no difficulty finding Jenny.
Removing her without scandal proves more difficult.
Unwilling to expose her, Hugh joins Jenny with the
minstrels until they can leave without comment.
Jenny intrigues Hugh and she breaks through the ice
surrounding his heart. Their attraction is mutual but the
complications are enormous. When she overhears a disjointed
conversation that poses a possible threat to Hugh's
overlord, she and Hugh work to expose the group. They are
aided by the Joculator, the minstrel's leader, who has a
secret of his own.
Ms. Scott starts her new 14th century trilogy using the
rich history of Galloway and Dumfriesshire, Scotland. She
weaves factual and fictional characters into her romantic
intrigue and adds fascinating traveling minstrels into the
mix. Readers' imaginations are quickly caught in this
backdrop, while they also enjoy the unlikely romance
between Bonnie Jenny and Hugh.
National bestselling author Amanda Scott sweeps readers
back to the turbulent fourteenth-century Scottish Borders,
where valiant men and women risk everything for their
land. Jenny Easdale is ready to accept her fate. She's
agreed to marry a man she will never love - yet not before
slipping away for one last adventure. Following a
traveling minstrel troupe, she's whisked into a world of
intoxicating freedom. Then, all too soon, she finds
herself in danger - from a vengeful political plot against
Scotland and from the man who has come to take her home.
Dutybound to return with his brother's wayward bride, Sir
High Douglas is not prepared for how her quick wit,
courage, and laughing eyes touch his warrior heart. Now,
as the merry minstrels play matchmaker and passion sparks
between Hugh and Jenny, the conspiracy against Scotland
builds...and threatens all they hold dear.