It's September 1513 and in the Border hills of Scotland,
Sir Iain Armstrong leads what's left of his defeated clan
of warriors home from the bloody battle of Flodden Field.
But before Iain can return to his own keep, Blackthorn
Hall, he must first take the news to Fleet Tower and to
Marion, his betrothed. With the deaths of so many of the
clan leaders, Iain is now keeper and protector of a great
many people and must prepare for possible continued English
advancement, as well as the defense of his ancestral home.
His plan is to move everyone to Blackthorn, everyone except
Marion. She will be sent to an abbey for safekeeping until
she's of marriageable age. Although he knows Marion will
not be happy, Iain has no choice. He made a promise to her
father that she'd be safe and she "will" obey him.
Twelve years have passed, and although Marion hasn't given
up hope that someday someone from Fleet Tower will come to
her rescue, she's learned to love the sisters of the abbey.
But her anger at Iain has grown and festered so that now
when he's sent word that he's coming for her and that
they're to be married, she's determined not to go by doing
everything she can think of, including reminding Iain that
there's insanity in her family. After all, just look at her
uncle who thinks he's royalty and lives in an obvious world
of lunacy. He's cared for by her two aunts, sisters whose
actions are considered eccentric by most and madness by
some, yet their devotion to family is never in question.
Both Marion and Iain are equally determined to have their
way. Iain has done what he can to rebuild and fortify his
home and is now ready to take Marion as his wife. Before,
he considered it his duty, but he's completely taken in by
Marion's beauty and admires her fiery spirit. Marion is
tempted by this man she's spent so many years learning to
hate, a man who now surprises her with his courage and
tenderness despite her best executed tantrums. Royal decree
and a long-standing agreement between their deceased
fathers will ultimately see them married. But what, if
anything, will it take to see them happy? And can a very
real danger that threatens their lives be overcome?
This is a medieval gem that's not diminished in the least
by the fact that the story is based on a wonderful old
classic, ARSENIC AND OLD LACE. The story has just the right
blend of old world charm, a commanding hero and heroine,
and secondary characters who are original, fun and
guaranteed to keep you smiling. While the hero and heroine
are at odds in the beginning, they soon join forces to
defeat the villain and solve the mystery surrounding the
heroine's family. A sure-bet for medieval romance readers,
as well as anyone who loves humor generated by quirky,
unpredictable secondary characters.
Arm yourself for the biggest wedding of the 16th century.
Sir Iain Armstrong is trying to wed Lady Marion, a convent-
raised spitfire. All Iain wants to do is fulfill his
father's wishes, appease two royal courts, and do what is
best for the future of Scotland by putting an end to all
the troubles in his part of the Borders. All Lady Marion
has to do is agree to marry him, which is the last thing on
her mind when Iain arrives at the convent. Until she
realizes that Iain is a man of courage, intelligence, and
seductively powerful shoulders. But now her eccentric
family might do what she's already failed to do-drive him
away forever.
© 2003-2024 off-the-edge.net
all rights reserved Privacy Policy