In Scotland, clan memories are long, and land seizures
cause bitter grudges. This sets the scene for a Romeo and
Juliet style story, in which Robert Methven and young Lucy
MacMorlan get to know each other after Lucy's father
decides to disregard old rancour and invites Robert to
dinner at his ducal home. Other guests recall the
unpleasantness and do not welcome Robert.
LADY AND THE LAIRD moves on to 1812 when Lucy, single at
twenty-four and working on mathematics, as a change from
her brief foray into provocative erotic poetry, puts the
pen down to talk to her mischievous brother Lachlan. He
tells her that he wants to marry a girl, but Robert Methven
has asked for her hand too; can Lucy help? Robert had made
money trading timber in Canada and has now inherited a
title. Lucy, a red-haired, blue-eyed girl, wonders if
Robert remembers her. When Robert's intended jilts him Lucy
is in the church... feeling guilty. The rival clans gloat
and Lucy receives attentions from her cousin Wilfred, whose
pockets are to let, and who would like to marry her money.
Robert then informs her that if he doesn't marry a
descendent of the Earls of Cardross within a year he will
forfeit his inheritance. Lucy has unwittingly played into
his enemies' hands.
I found Lucy suspiciously benevolent, donating all her
allowance to foundlings' hospitals when in chilly castles
she would surely have wanted to buy books and clothes. She
has to be chaperoned, but the older lady doesn't take her
job too seriously. Lucy complains of stifling rules, yet
she is allowed to study and to attend political and
economic lectures, which most women were not expected to
understand. The laird, or landowner, at this time might
force tenant farmers off the land, making more from sheep
or sales than the meagre rent they could afford. Robert is
determined to see that this doesn't happen to his tenants -
as it will if the next nearest heir gains control. He is a
good strong character, versed in astronomy and navigation,
a second son who didn't expect to inherit. I also liked the
Highland Ladies Bluestocking Society. The landscape
descriptions are atmospheric, with mists, glens and pewter
skies.
LADY AND THE LAIRD by Nicola Cornick is very good fun and
this historical romance is well worth a read.
Lady Lucy MacMorlan may have forsworn men and marriage, but
that doesn't mean she won't agree to profit from writing
love letters for her brother's friends - letters that
become increasingly racy as her fame grows. That is, until
she deliberately ruins the betrothal of a notorious laird,
Robert, Marquis of Methven.
Past centuries of bloodshed have left the Methven and
MacMorlan families bitter enemies and Robert is furious that
Lady Lucy's letters have cost him the bride he needs so
urgently to save his ancestral clan lands. Now he makes Lucy
a shocking proposal; in return for his silence she must
become his wife and provide him with the heir he needs. It
is an inconvenient marriage of convenience but can the
rugged laird and the bluestocking beauty fight against the
power of love?
Book 1 in the Scottish Brides trilogy where Regency elegance
meets Highland passion!
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