Series: A Highland Feuding (Book 4)
Safe in her Highlander's arms!
After discovering her role in her father's plot to destroy another clan, Sorcha MacMillan risks her life to go into hiding. Her safety relies on her disguise, but she is drawn to a man who could see through her…
Unknown to Sorcha, Alan Cameron has been sent to track her down. He's attracted to the woman in disguise. Even after learning her true identity, he can't overcome his instinct to protect her. No matter the danger, he will keep Sorcha safe…and claim her as his bride!
Good book. Sorcha is betrothed to a cold and cruel man who is just like her father. Before her death, Sorcha's mother discovered that Sorcha is also a pawn in her father's plan to destroy another clan. She and Sorcha devise a plan to enable Sorcha to escape and go to a convent. With the help of a trusted servant, Sorcha makes good on her escape, but the servant dies before they reach their destination. Sorcha is on her own and finds her way to a relative in another village. Clara Mackintosh and her husband provide Sorcha with a place to stay and a cover story to explain her presence.
Alan Cameron is the nephew of Sorcha's fiancé and considered to be the best tracker in the highlands. When Sorcha goes missing, Alan is assigned to find her. Based on the evidence he finds, he tells her fiancé and father that she is dead, drowned in a flooded river. Though sorry for the girl's death, Alan is relieved that she will not have to marry his uncle, whose previous two wives died under suspicious circumstances. Alan also suspects that his uncle is involved in something dishonorable, though he doesn't know what it is. Alan is also good friends with many of the Mackintoshes and spends a lot of time in their village. When Alan meets Sorcha, he is immediately drawn to her.
I enjoyed the development of their relationship. Alan doesn't know why he is so strongly drawn to the mysterious beauty, but he can't deny the strength of it. It was fun to see the way that he is confused and distracted by her whenever she is near. Alan knows that he is not free to choose his own bride because of his relationship to the Cameron laird, so he tries to keep his distance. Sorcha is equally drawn to Alan, though it takes her awhile to realize what her feelings are. She knows that nothing can come of them because she cannot stay in Glenlui. The more he gets to know her, the more Alan realizes that Sorcha is hiding something. He also becomes increasingly protective of her. When Sorcha discovers Alan's connection to Gilbert, she knows she must leave to protect Alan and the others she has come to care for. But there are other things that come to light, and Sorcha realizes that to save the man she loves she must face her past. There are some interesting twists that occur before Alan and Sorcha achieve their hearts' desire.
There are some very interesting dynamics going on throughout the story. The biggest is the relationships among the clan leaders. There is definitely something fishy going on between Sorcha's father and Alan's uncle. As bits and pieces are revealed, the scope of their betrayal becomes more obvious. There is also something strange going on between Alan, his father, and his uncle. Alan doesn't understand why his father is not the laird, as he is older. His uncle's treatment of Alan's father and Robert's acceptance of it also puzzles him, as does Gilbert's attitude toward Alan. I liked Alan's growing disgust of his uncle and his increasing desire to call him to account. When Alan discovers Sorcha's identity, that is the catalyst for him to act. The confrontation is intense, especially when Sorcha shows up to share what she knows. I loved her courage and conviction. I liked Alan's reaction to the secrets revealed and the difference it made to his future.
I enjoyed the glimpses into the village life as Sorcha settled in. It was fun to see her learning all the little things she missed out on in her sheltered life. I especially enjoyed the porridge and breadmaking scenes and the way they illustrated Sorcha's determination and also her sense of humor. Alan's scenes with both Brodie and Jamie also revealed much about the man he was.
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