Kieran MacDonald is a clan laird and takes his duties seriously, but he also needs to socialise with wealthy nobles. He doesn't want to be burdened with an English lass and her maid as he's headed back home shortly. Mariel offers to be his mistress, composing a sob story. Kieran has no time for a woman's skirts. But she tricks him into allowing her to accompany him on the journey. One part of the story is true - Mariel does find Kieran handsome. In her day, a wealthy man's wife is often put aside, unloved, and a mistress adored and showered with gifts. She believes that being Kieran's mistress would be a good outcome. But her sour maid Jane is actually in the pay of the spymaster, and will send critical reports if Mariel tries to escape her mission.

While an earthy physical attraction exists between the Scot and the English girl, Kieran isn't the sort to take advantage, and the journey is tiring, especially the last leg at sea to Skye. But before they reach his home, Mariel has already had to prove herself in battle. The Border is a lawless land. Can she settle to a few months of spinning wool? Is Kieran ever going to give her the information she needs? The family situation on Skye is more complex than she'd thought, and she finds herself falling in love with Kieran - a dangerous state of affairs.

Madeline Martin is writing for adults, with occasional strong language, and the physical romance could be called erotica. Mariel feels she doesn't deserve love, first because of her sustained deception and second because of her murky past. In a challenging life, she has to overcome many obstacles to happiness, including her own moody thoughts. As this exciting adventure DECEPTION OF A HIGHLANDER shows, we can all find happiness, though maybe not where we'd expected it. Madeline Martin now lives in Florida, but she has lived in Europe and enjoys visiting beautiful, historic Scotland.

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