Captured by a Laird by Margaret Mallory Series: The Douglas Legacy #1
Published by Self Pub on September 15, 2014
Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Scottish Romance
Pages: 319
Format: eBook
Source: Advance Reader Copy, author
Goodreads
THE DOUGLAS LEGACY
The Douglas sisters, beauties all, are valuable pawns in their family's bitter struggle to control the Scottish Crown. But when powerful enemies threaten, each Douglas lass will find she must face them alone.
CAPTURED BY A LAIRD
Haunted by his father's violent death, David Hume, the new laird of Wedderburn, sets out to make his name so feared that no one will dare harm his family again. The treacherous ally who played on his father's weakness is dead and beyond David's vengeance, but his castle and young widow are ripe for the taking. The moment David lays eyes on the dark-haired beauty defending her wee daughters, however, he knows this frail-looking lass is the one person who could bring him to his knees.
Wed at thirteen to a man who tried daily to break her spirit, Lady Alison Douglas is looking forward to a long widowhood. But when the fearsome warrior known as the Beast of Wedderburn storms her gates, she finds herself, once again, forced to wed a stranger. Alison is only a pawn to serve his vengeance, so why does this dark warrior arouse such fiery passion and an unwelcome longing in her heart?
With death and danger looming, these two wounded souls must learn to trust each other . . . for only love can save them.
The first line starts this off with a bang, “Burning her husband’s bed was a mistake. Alison could see that now.”
Alison was married off very young to a middle aged man who berated her daily, and basically grooming her as she grew up. It’s so incredibly creepy and heartbreaking at the same time. By the time we see Alison, we understand why she burned his bed. Because of the way her late husband treated her, he encouraged his staff to treat her just as poorly. The Alison who we meet on page one is a timid mouse of a girl who is trying to find herself again.
Thinking that widowhood will become her, Alison is actually eager to be free for once. Until she realizes what a mistake her little act of rebellion was. All of her warriors left. They were loyal to her husband and didn’t respect her, and didn’t appreciate her burning of their master’s bed.
But what Alison doesn’t realize is that she is basically ripe for the picking from any neighboring border laird. with her warriors gone, it’s only a matter of time.
Enter David, the new laird of Wedderburn.Both his father and uncle had been betrayed and their heads placed on pikes. Deciding if he becomes the most feared man in the Highlands, his clan won’t be vulnerable again, David sets off on reiving cattle and basically owning the Highlands. But the main thing he needs is Alison’s castle and lands, and with those, Alison, herself.
David takes the castle, and marries Alison, but he never expects to actually like her.
Alison is trying to stop being the timid little girl she feels like, and act like the strong woman who is related to royalty that she really is. this isn’t easy, and for his part, David is as patient as can be.
These two are a great couple, without realizing why Alison needs time, he gives it to her, and he wins her over each day, little by little. Whether it’s how he treats her daughters, or how he defends Alison from some nasty servants, he’s finding his way into her heart.
But this isn’t just about Alison and David, because of course it can’t be that simple, can it? Her girls are the rightful heirs to the castle, and her late husband’s family plans on having the lands back. With or without Alison and her girls.
With trickery and betrayal around every turn, who can Alison trust? Can she really put her faith in the man who took her castle and forced her into marriage? Does she have a choice?
This is the first book in Margaret Mallory’s latest Highlander Romance series, and it was absolutely worth staying up until 1:00 am and the lack of sleep the next day. Rich in history and vivid in description, you won’t regret staying up late to read this beautiful Scottish Romance.
