How to Ensnare a Highlander

How To Ensnare A Highlander
The MacGregor Lairds #2
Michelle McLean

★★★★★

Lady Elizabet Harding is an only child to Lord and Lady Dawsey who only see her as their biggest financial asset and promise her to Ferguson Ramsey who ‘purchases her’ to help her parents financially. Laird John MacGregor is a Scottish Highlander, who secretly spends his nights as the Highland Highwayman stealing from corrupt gentry to give back to others. 

“A kiss from such a lady would be worth more money than I have to give. And I am no’ such a blackguard as to force myself on an unwilling woman. I would be honored to kiss ye. In truth, ’tis taking considerable restraint to refrain from tasting these sweet lips.”

Their paths cross when he rescues her from her runaway horse and again when he holds up her carriage. When Elizabet is accidentally shot during the encounter, John takes her with him to treat her wound which turns into a month of them getting closer and falling for each other. But knowing that Elizabet is the daughter of Johns enemy and practically engaged to another, she is the one person he can’t get close to to, even if that’s all he wants. 

After recovering in the Highlands, John reluctantly returns her home to her parents. But when he sees her in a London ballroom, he can’t stay away. Desperate to get out of her impending marriage, she blackmails John into asking the king for her hand in marriage.  The King refuses and, when Elizabet and John try to run away, John is shot and presumed dead. Days later, when she finds out he is still alive, she does whatever she can to go to him. 

“He shook his head. “Oh nay, my lady.” He ran his hands up her arms and pulled her close. “If ye wish us to marry, ye will be my wife in every way. You will honor me.” He gently kissed her cheek. “And obey me.” He kissed the other cheek. “And keep my home in order.” His hand trailed down to rest against her neck, his fingers brushing against the pulse at the base of her throat. “And bear my heirs.” Her heart hammered in her chest, but before she could say a word, he bent to brush his lips across hers. “And ye will warm my bed every night without fail.” She couldn’t breathe. Her head spun. He’d barely touched her, and she seemed on the verge of fainting. The thought of what sensations he might draw from her within their marriage bed sent a tremor of anticipation down her spine. His mouth hovered over hers. “And you will enjoy every moment of it, I promise ye that.”

Just like the previous book in this series, I thoroughly enjoyed it! I don’t mind low steam as long as there is an interesting plot with lots of swoony looks exchanged and romantic phrases whispered, which Ms. McLean definitely delivers in her books!

Steam 

There was lots of swoon and one steamy scene.

Tropes

Stuart Era, Historical Romance, Scotland Romance, Steam outdoors, Highland Warrior, Titled hero, Super Protective Hero, Beta hero, Virgin heroine, Criminal/Thief, Angst Romance, Blackmail, Instant attraction, Forbidden romance, Suspense/danger, Revenge trope, Forced proximity, Hidden Identity, Nursed Back to Health