Returning to her father's home after 10 years at a convent,
Kathryn de St. Marie prepares to choose her suitor from a
group of young men gathered at the keep. One knight catches
her fancy at the celebration her father holds. As she gets
her first kiss from the young man, Scottish barbarians
storm the keep, taking her hostage. Fleeing with her into
the night, the Scots are caught off guard and Kathryn finds
herself captured by a Saxon lord.
Edric of Braxton Fell, a Saxon who kept his lands by
marrying a cold Norman witch, cannot wait until his wife
gives birth to his son. He will send her packing to a
convent, hoping never to hear her cruel tongue again. His
wife's dowry has kept his people from starving, but the
harvest is poor and another bad winter will test their
resolve. Frustrated by his lack of progress on his lands,
he uses his anger against Scots barbarians and rescues a
woman. She's definitely a Norman, not a Saxon, and she
refuses to acknowledge her background.
Kathryn realizes her family will not welcome her home after
being held prisoner. Her mother has repeatedly told her
that a noble woman, if captured, kills herself. Kathryn
begs for permission to stay at Edric's holding as a
servant. Granting her request, Edric lets her care for his
newborn son since his wife died in childbirth while he was
away. Attraction grows between them, but Edric wants
nothing to do with another Norman. It's up to Kathryn to
change his mind.
THE PERFECT SEDUCTION realistically captures the hardship
of medieval times. Ms. Maguire's characters come to life as
they battle for survival in the harsh environment. Upon
finishing the tale, readers will long for the story of
Kathryn's sister, Isabel.
To burn with passion . . . to surrender to the power of a
man's desire . . .
Kathryn de St. Marie's years in a French convent have
taught her such things are forbidden. Still the chaste
Norman beauty dreams of a soul-stirring love. But cruel
destiny intrudes when she is taken prisoner by Scot
barbarians - though a kinder fate intervenes when she is
rescued by proud, haunted Edric of Braxton Fell, a bitter
Saxon lord displaced by Norman rule.
Though he despises the conquerors, Edric can sense that
Kathryn is different - gentle and giving, yet possessing a
fire that enflames Edric in turn-and he grudgingly allows
her into his broken life. For Kathryn's capture has tainted
her in the eyes of her people, and she can never again
return home. Her future rests in the strong hands of her
enemy champion . . . and in a long-cherished dream of a
perfect seduction and a dangerous, rapturous love.