Prized for his snakelike stealth and deadly strikes, Lachlan “Viper” MacRuairi is a warrior to enlist but not to trust. His only loyalty is to his purse, his indifference sealed by bitter betrayal. All that changes when Lachlan is tasked to protect and deliver Bella MacDuff to the king’s coronation—and the proud, lushly sensual countess unwittingly challenges him to his greatest battle yet: to love again.
Bella MacDuff, Countess of Buchan was abused at the hands of her cruel father, only to married to an even crueler man who assaulted and taunted her and constantly accused her of infidelity.
Lachlan MacRuairi is a brutish Scottish warrior who was badly betrayed by his wife when she led him to a trap that saw many of his clansmen killed and him, the only survivor. Now, the Viper, he works with the Highland Guard and is an expert at stealth and extracting people and information from impossible odds.
The MacDuffs has long been honored with the duty of crowing the next king of Scotland, so when Bella is the only MacDuff available, she agrees because she is finally able to due something meaningful and escape her horrible husband. She promised that she could take her daughter with her, but, due to an abrupt change in plans, she is forced to flee without her. Throughout the years in the book, Bella and Lachlan battle each other and their undeniable attraction, the British forces and their individual will to live.
This book was another tough read. I have loved all the Highland Guard books and I did love this one too, but it was a hard fought love through anxiety, fear and angst! My gosh Bella was abused by her father, treated like a whore by her husband and every man she met only wanted one thing from her…until Lachlan. But she was such a tragic heroine even though she was tough and stubborn and bore all her troubles with dignity! But don’t think that Lachlan was without his own heartache! Oh no, his mother wanting nothing to do with him and his first wife betraying him hurt more than he would admit. He shut himself off from everyone, men and women, so he wouldn’t get attached then hurt or betrayed.
Again, even with the angst and emotional rollercoaster, I love this book! It surprised me is all; usually it’s the hero who is saddled with trouble, but I feel like Bella bore the brunt of the cruelty in this story.
TROPES
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