BORDER LASS - Amanda Scott
Grand Central's Forever
ISBN: 0-446-19799-8
September 2008
Historical Romance

The Border Marches of Scotland, 1390

Lady Amalie Murray is content with her position among the ladies who serve Princess Isabel, daughter of the late King Robert II. It not only keeps her away from her domineering mother and overbearing brothers, she likes and admires the princess, who was married to the head of the powerful Douglas clan before his death at the Battle at Otterburn. Isabel is sure James Douglas was murdered, though she hasn't yet been able to convince anyone else.

Sir Garth Napier earned his knighthood himself, but recently inherited a barony while he was away from England with Will Douglas, son of Archie the Grim. Garth was witness to the aftermath of a street attack on Will and his party. Will's last words to Garth contradict the story others tell of a brawl; he names his murderer. Garth, as do most of the Marcher lords, owes fealty to Archie as the present Earl of Douglas so reports to him when back in England.

Asked by Archie Douglas to keep an eye out at Scone Abbey during the coronation of the new High King of Scotland and to join Princess Isabel's entourage, Garth is again intrigued by a certain lass. Gar now knows the identity of the lady he defended last year; she's Lady Amalie Murray, and the man berating her was her brother Simon. Joining the princess's guard will give him a chance to investigate the odd fascination he has for her. However, Simon will do all in his power to marry Amalie off to another. Unlike his father who tries to remain neutral in all conflicts (his wife is from the powerful Percy family of England), Simon Murray is a partisan of the new king's brother, the Earl of Fife.

Fife is ruthless and ambitious, and happily uses others to further his ends, and he wants Amalie's hand and dowry in his control. Fife uses his brother's crown to proclaim himself Chief Warder of the Scottish Marches (amid much consternation for it's an office traditionally held by the popular Douglases) and he becomes the power behind the throne.

Amalie does not trust men and vows never to marry. No matter how she tries to evade her family, and no matter that Isabel tells her Scottish law forbids a forced marriage, Amalie feels the noose of wedlock to her brother's candidate tighten around her neck. Garth is a true knight, all honest and honorable, but to what ends will a chivalrous man go to save a lady?

BORDER LASS is a combination of a charming romance, a tale of murder and intrigue, and an enlightening, entertaining foray into Medieval Scottish history in which the times and the people come alive. While history blends with fiction, the story stays true to history. Amalie and Garth are fictional characters; the Stewarts and the Douglases are real, as are several others. Certain characters from the March 2008 title, BORDER WEDDING, make appearances, including Amalie's sister Meg and her husband, Wat, now Earl of Buccleuch; and the irrepressible lad who almost got Wat hung.

If the plot sounds complicated and character rich, do not worry; Ms. Scott makes it all easy to follow. And she adds an interesting author's note.

Among the princess's other ladies is Lady Sibylla, who is either uncommonly observant and clever or has a gift. We'll presumably learn which next January when BORDER MOONLIGHT comes out. Meanwhile, I recommend BORDER LASS for some excellent reading.

Jane Bowers