A century ago, the McDonough clan took charge of the mystical Celtic "Circle of Light." Its power blessed the McDonoughs with peace and prosperity until the pirate known as the Black Scotsman stole it for his own. From that moment on, the clan suffered sorrow and poverty.

Lady Maura O'Donnell promised her dying father she would find the ancient relic and bring prosperity back to their lands. Her plan is quite simple. When it's announced that Alec McBride, Duke of Gleneden, nicknamed the Black Scotsman, is visiting Ireland, Maura plans to trap him into marrying her. What she does not expect is the instantaneous sexual attraction, which makes her plan to keep him at arm's length until she finds the circle difficult.

Alec McBride calls himself stupid and foolish for falling for the oldest trick in the book of being caught in bed and compromising a virgin. In order to prevent scandal, he weds the calculating vixen, but she will pay. Maura does not act like a fortune hunter, but wanders through his massive home. Her behavior puzzles Alec. He attempts to seduce the truth from her, but instead falls for the skittish young woman.

It is impossible to put Ms. James' latest tale down. From the first chapter, the emotional turmoil caused by the Celtic relic legend captures readers' imagination. Watching Maura struggle to find the circle, while guarding her heart against the wicked but appealing Scotsman, is classic. The writing is superb and the storytelling excellent. This story belongs right on the keeper shelf.