"Compelling, complex Scottish romance."

Sir Payton Murray is on his way to meet a married lady on her bedroom balcony, when he hears a whispered voice call out to him. Standing in the shadows is Kirstie, wetly draped with marsh vegetation. It seems her husband didn't know she could swim and threw her into the water to drown. Kirstie asks Payton to help her and the children she's rescued from her depraved husband. They are all near starvation and covered with bruises. Eleven-year-old Callum, who's leery of all men, has been helping Kirstie rescue the children and has become her protector.

Payton takes the group to his home and has his servants, Ian and Wee Alice, help them. Payton wants Kirstie in his bed, but she reminds him that she's married, even though her husband did try to kill her.

With the disgusting stories of Kirstie's husband, the comical protection of Callum and his knives, Payton's pursuit of Kirstie and the attempts to cause the downfall of Kirstie's husband, this story really kept my attention. A very good book!

Reviewed by Delia Larkins
Courtesy Old Book Barn Gazette
Posted April 9, 2003