The Scottish Middle March, Summer 1388

It's a time of turmoil, but then, when isn't it in the Scottish/English borderlands? When don't the English try to conquer the Scots? And when isn't cattle thieving a way of life? Yet, with another invasion by the English in the offing, James Douglas, a most powerful Scottish earl and Chief Warder of the Marches, recently ordered a cessation of reiving by Scots, both from the English and from each other.

If Wat, more formally Sir Walter Scott, had not consumed so much ale, he might not have found himself in such a pickle. When he and his men returned from the races to find cattle, horses, and even dogs stolen, they set off to get them back. The trail was easy to follow and it led right to Elishaw, the lands of Sir Iagan Murray, where they were caught and thrown into the dungeon. A more sober Wat might have taken the matter to a meeting of the march wardens for arbitration. Instead, he faces hanging by Murray for reiving his beasts, something he might have done if he'd the chance.

Wat and his father, the Earl of Buccleuch, are staunch patriots and owe allegiance to Jamie Douglas, Scotland's strongest warrior. Not so Baron Murray. With his lands so close to the border, he's careful to stay neutral and not offend either his neighbors north of the line or his English wife's family, the Percys, to the south. Whatever his original purpose in reiving Wat's animals, the end result is that he gives Wat a choice: Marry one of Murray's homely daughters or watch his men be hung, starting with the youngest, before taking his turn on the gallows.

Quick wedding, quick consummation...or as quick as Wat can manage with his bride's father pacing and harrumphing just outside the chamber door.

Let's be fair. Murray is not held in wide esteem, and that is more to blame for the disparagement of his daughters' looks than reality. True, they dress plainly and are not beauties, but they are not ugly either. Margaret, called Meg by her family, is taken by Wat's good looks and pledges to herself to make him a good wife. Wat, on the other hand, is more concerned about what his father and Jamie Douglas will say and do when he brings home a wife. They have been arranging a marriage between him and a Douglas cousin. Yet, it isn't in Wat's nature to be cruel. He not only gives Meg respect, he commands his men to do the same. And he allows her younger sister Amalie to accompany Meg to her new home.

So much for getting our hero and heroine together. If Meg doesn't yet seem to have what it takes to be a heroine, just you wait and see what getting out from under the repression in the Murray household into the relative freedom of the Scotts family will do. And, besides, she is her mother's daughter. The scene of the near hanging is a prime example of how intelligent women have handled men down through the ages.

As the story progresses and Wat and Meg get to know each other and we readers get to know them and the rest of the cast, things heat up in the political arena, and dangers escalate along the border. Tension increases as the Scots under Douglas plan a pre-emptive strike on the gathering English. By this time we've come to care for many of the participants. One particular character, the young boy who would have hung first, makes a deep impression.

Amanda Scott does extensive research, both historical and genealogical. Wat is based on an actual person -- other characters are real, as well -- though Meg is fictional. The eventual battle actually took place. The action is seen mainly from Meg's and Wat's points of view, with the well-written narrative and dialogue and the exciting plot drawing the reader ever more deeply into their lives. BORDER WEDDING proves great stories of Scotland don't only arise out of the Highlands.

Jane Bowers