Lady Elizabeth sent her husband to war almost five years ago. Since then, she's successfully repelled several English and Scottish sieges as they try to capture the castle. Now with news that her husband is imprisoned, it's imperative that she keep the soldiers' loyalty. Using wit and intelligence, Elizabeth outsmarts her opponents, instilling the necessary confidence in her leadership. At the surprise arrival of her husband from prison, Elizabeth should be ecstatic. He looks like her husband and answer her questions about the past correctly, but Elizabeth has her doubts.
Sir Alexander De Ashby, a former Templar Knight, looks at the hangman's noose wishing he'd lived a better life. He regrets not acting honorably and taking the easy way out when trouble arose. At the gallows, Alex is given a reprieve and his enemies make a devil's deal with him. He must impersonate the Earl of Marston and reclaim his wife and castle, or Alex's friend will die. Once again, his actions determine a friend's fate and he becomes his enemy's puppet.
Under his enemy's tutelage, Alex gives Elizabeth the correct answers. He acknowledges the changes in him, but tells Elizabeth it's from war and torture. The plan proceeds smoothly, until Alex develops scruples. For the first time, he learns what's most important in life just before he must betray the woman who's captured his heart.
With considerable skill, Ms. McCall rehabilitates an unsympathetic character and transforms him into an honorable and courageous man. Getting inspiration from actual events, Ms. McCall incorporates odd tidbits of history that greatly enhance the story. THE TEMPLAR'S SEDUCTION ends a fascinating trilogy set during the brutal times of the Templars fall from grace and eventual annihilation.
Only a lie will save his life . . .
Sentenced to the gallows for trying to sell the treasures of the Knights Templar, Sir Alexander de Ashby has one chance for survival. The scoundrel must impersonate the late Earl of Marston, to whom he bears an uncanny resemblance, and infiltrate the lord's border castle. But first he must convince the earl's beautiful Scottish bride that his rightful place is in her bed.
But only love can save his soul.
Relieved that the story of her long-absent husband's death was falseβand enticed by a wild, sensuous side of him she had never experienced beforeβLady Elizabeth cautiously welcomes "the earl" back into her heart, unaware that the breathtaking imposter intends to vanish. But escape may be impossible even after his secret is revealed. For now Alexander burns for the proud, remarkable lady . . . and desires nothing more than to liveβand die, if he mustβfor a glorious love born of deception and sin.
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