After escaping from the English soldiers who attacked her
home and imprisoned her in a dungeon, Lady Elysande de Valance is grateful for
the rugged Scots who are escorting her to safety in the Highlands. Even with
danger dogging their every step, she hadn't expected to welcome the strong
comforting embrace of their leader, Rory Buchanan. They say he's a healer, but
she finds the heat of his touch does so much more…
Let his brothers get married -- Rory is too busy tending
to the sick to be bothered with wooing a bride. But when he is tasked with
accompanying a family friend's "treasure" to the Highlands, he is
surprised to learn the treasure is a beautiful woman on the run -- and even
more surprised to discover bruises hidden by her veil. Rory makes it his
mission to tend to her injuries and protect her, but the thought of losing her
makes him realize that perhaps it is his heart that is most in need of healing…
Another Buchanan brother bites the dust. Rory Buchanan is
a healer who is well-known throughout Scotland and even into England. He and
his brother Alick are the last of the unmarried Buchanan brothers, though not
for lack of opportunity. His family does their best to put a variety of women
in front of him, but Rory isn't interested. He will eventually get around to
marrying, but his healer duties occupy him more. That all comes to an end when
he receives a request to escort a "treasure" to a family friend's
home.
Elysande barely escaped her home with her life. A family
friend turned traitor murdered her parents and all of their soldiers and beat Elysande
nearly to death, searching for incriminating evidence against him. With the
help of the servants and two knights who were away during the attack, she
escapes the castle to meet with the man who will get her to her extended
family.
I liked both Elysande and Rory. She is intelligent, kind,
determined, and more than a little stubborn. It's that stubbornness that
compels her to bury her pain for as long as she can to facilitate their escape
from her pursuers. Her kindness is evident in many ways during their journey,
but especially during their stay in Carlisle. I loved how easily she connected
with all types of people. Rory has been present in the previous books, helping
his brothers along their ways to wedded bliss, but not ready to take that step
himself. He immediately steps up to take responsibility for Elysande's safety
and find a way to get that evidence where it will do the most good.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between
Rory and Elysande. She intrigues Rory from the start with her determination and
resilience, while Elysande finds it easy to trust him. I found it very amusing
that Elysande was most interested in Rory for his protection rather than his
healing abilities, as she is a good healer herself. Rory's nose was out of
joint because he wanted to be the one to heal her. I loved seeing them get to
know each other over the journey and learn to trust each other. I had to laugh
at how Elysande's trust manifested during the first nights on the road, and she
moved in on him while she was asleep. Poor Rory surely had some uncomfortable
moments!
As Rory and Elysande grew closer, Rory had some
unexpected bouts of insecurity. Because she doesn't need him as a healer, and
he doesn't see himself as special, he isn't sure what he can offer her. It
takes some effort to convince him that he is more than just a healer; he is a
fierce protector and a good and honorable man. That honor and protectiveness
kick in when he realizes her reputation is a stake, and he takes steps to
preserve it. I loved watching the attraction between them simmer until it could
no longer be contained and how it enhanced the feelings growing between them.
The tension remains high throughout the book as their
little troop barely seems to stay a step ahead of their pursuers. I loved their
time in the town of Carlisle. Elysande's ability to connect with anyone makes
friends out of enemies. Rory worries that she's too open with those that she
encounters, and I could feel his frustration with her. But Elysande is proved
right in a hilarious scene when nearly the entire town turns out to help them
get away. Their worries aren't over yet, as even once they make it into
Scotland, their enemies are close behind. An attack on Elysande puts her life
in danger and raises Rory's suspicions. I loved watching him put his mind to
discovering the truth, solving the issue of getting the evidence to the English
king, and keeping Elysande safe. A last-minute betrayal nearly brought
disaster, and I ached for Elysande because of it. Once again, Rory saved the
day.
I loved the ending. First, the king summoned Rory and Elysande.
I laughed out loud as Elysande talked circles around the king, making it
impossible for him to annul the marriage between her and Rory. Rory's amusement
was fun to watch, as the king knew he'd been played and couldn't logically do
anything about it. Then, a month later, Rory's "reward" for his help showed
up in Scotland. I laughed out loud as Rory faced that headache, only to turn
around and find another one coming from the other direction. Elysande's
happiness was vital to him, but what he faced could have been a disaster. I
loved how it turned out and chuckled at her description of it being like having
a kitchen full of cooks. Now I can't wait for Alick's story.
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