Suzanne Enoch – Rogue with a Brogue

The second book in the Scandalous Highlander series, published July 29, 2014.
Genre: historical romance
Cover: I like the big one, it is different, but my book has the small red cover.



A ROGUE FOR EVERY LADY
Stuck in a Mayfair ballroom thanks to his lovestruck brother, Arran MacLawry wants nothing but a bit of distraction from an arranged betrothal - and a clever auburn-haired lass in a vixen's mask promises just that...until he discovers that she's the granddaughter of the Campbell, chief of clan MacLawry's longtime rival. Despite their families' grudging truce, falling for fiery Mary Campbell is a notion too outlandish even for this Highlander...
THE THRILL OF THE FORBIDDEN
Raised on tales of savage MacLawrys, Mary is stunned to realize the impressively strapping man in the fox's mask is one of them. Surely the enemy shouldn't have such a broad chest, and such a seductive brogue? Not that her curiosity matters - any dalliance between them is strictly forbidden, and she's promised to another. But with the crackling spark between them ready to ignite, love is worth every risk...


While his older brother, Ranulf, Marquis of Glengask and Laird of Clan MacLawry, is marrying an English lady for love, it is expected of Arran, his younger brother, to marry for the good of the clan. But Arran doesn’t want to marry Deirdre Stewart, as she will bore him to death within a week, and certainly not after he has met Mary Campbell. Of course she is forbidden to him, as their clans have been feuding for centuries, but they are drawn together nonetheless. And when they are caught in the garden, and Mary is send back home in disgrace, forced to marry her sadistic cousin, Arran is sent back home to Scotland.
But Arran can’t just let her go, and he meets up with her in the inn they stop to change the horses. And Mary is very willing to let him abduct her and her maid, for propriety sake. They will travel to her grandfather, the Laird of the Stewarts, and ask him for his blessing.

And so, pursued by Mary’s father and family, and by Arran’s brother and clan members, they travel the back ways of England together. But Mary’s maid is doing everything she can to hinder them, sending notes with information back to her father, until she is caught.
Mary’s estranged aunt comes to their rescue when their coach breaks down nearby and Arran is hurt. Expelled from the clan when she wanted to marry an Irishman, she lives quietly in Devon, but even now her brother (Mary’s father) keeps hurting her, destroying her house trying to find the fleeing couple.


I really enjoyed this story, you might think it a typical trope, lovers running away to Gretna Green to be married, but it is not. It takes a while before Mary and Arran become lovers, but during their journey they really get to know each other. The coachman and Arran’s valet are great secondary characters, adding their input to the story as well.
The cousin Mary is supposed to marry, is vile indeed, and I don’t blame Mary for fleeing this match.

I also loved how they are prepared to make a new life for themselves in America, if their families keep opposing their match and making life difficult for them. They were not starry-eyed, believing once they are wed everything will be fine.

A very good historical romance and I truly enjoyed it. Mary is gently raised in England instead of Scotland, due to the dangers other clans would be to her, but she is not afraid to be on her own, and to follow her heart. She also stands up to Arran, like going dancing at a village assembly when they are staying in a small inn. I admired her for that, and it was fun to read of course.

9 stars.

© 2015 Reviews by Aurian