Disguised as a groom, Lady Brianna Munro flees London desperate to escape the arranged marriage by her guardian to a lecherous but powerful old man. Brianna arrives in Scotland during a fierce storm, where she takes shelter in the ruins of an ancient castle perched on the North Sea Cliffs. Parts of the old castle are restored and Brianna skirts that area, preferring not to run into any inhabitants. Her luck does not hold and she stumbles into the laird's arms.

Hugh Christie, Laird Glenlock, returns to his least favorite holding determined to find out who is stealing from his illegal whiskey business. The castle is the scene where his unhappy marriage and the eventual suicide of his wife occurred. The quicker he solves the mystery, the faster he can return to his roguish ways in London. When he catches a beautiful intruder, Hugh puts his travel plans on hold.

Brianna spins a tall tale of escaping from an abusive employer. Hugh offers her sanctuary and begins to use his considerable charms into seducing her. Shuffled between relatives with no permanent home, Brianna succumbs and finds the elusive home in Hugh's arms. She knows when Hugh discovers the truth she will once again be alone.

Infused with touches of paranormal, Ms. Maguire pens an entertaining tale of a brooding rake and the spirited woman who loves him. She surrounds the pair with murderous villains and an eerie castle that holds secrets of its own. Add bits of fascinating Scottish wisdom at the beginning of each chapter and you have an excellent read.

Book Summary

A bride on the run . . .

A young lady escapes to Scotland in the dead of night, desperate to avoid the horrid marriage her guardian had arranged. Traveling alone, fearing for her safety, Brianna Munro finds shelter at the imposing Castle Glenloch. She intends to stay for just one night . . . but then Brianna encounters Hugh Christie, Laird Glenloch, and all her best-laid plans vanish into the Highland air.

The stubborn chit says she's a lady's maid, running from a vengeful employer on the way to Dundee. But Hugh can see that the bold beauty is hiding something, just as plainly as he can see that he won't be able to resist her. Brianna's tempting body was made for pleasure, and Hugh has never been one to deny himself the delight of sin. He'll have to convince Brianna that he's not like the other men she's known—and that being taken by a laird one stormy night is just the beginning of a lifetime of ecstasy.