Rosamund Bolton is a strong, independent woman from the English side of the border area who has outlived 3 husbands. Her journey begins when she visits her life-long friend, Queen Margaret, at court in Edinburgh, Scotland. While at court, Rosamund is to be wed to Logan Hepburn, a neighboring landowner. This is where she meets Patrick Leslie an Earl from the Scottish Highlands. Rosamund has no desire to marry Logan and finds herself immersed in a deep, passionate relationship with Patrick.

On the other side of the border, Henry VIII is rallying allies in his maniacal quest for power. This causes King James IV of Scotland to ask Patrick to travel to San Lorenzo as ambassador to attempt to weaken Henry VIII's alliances to protect Scotland from the inevitable war that is looming over the horizon. Patrick decides to take Rosamund with him on his travels.

While they both understand that their relationship is futile due to Rosamund's firm conviction against remarrying, they decide to enjoy their love for each other and cherish their time together while in San Lorenzo.

Upon their return to home, war has broken out between England and Scotland. Patrick and Rosamund go their separate ways to see to their duties at home. However, as their love has grown stronger, they agree to meet in Edinburgh the following spring to be married. Upon Rosamund's arrival at Edinburgh, she learns that Patrick has suffered a seizure, which has taken his memory. Patrick no longer remembers Rosamund and she is left devastated to return home while his son takes Patrick back to the Highlands.

After returning home and coming to terms with her loss, Rosamund is again pressured to forego her reservations about Logan and marry him. Over time, she learns that her misgivings about Logan were unfounded, agrees to the marriage and devotes her life to him.

The author paints a more realistic portrait of life in the 1500's while balancing the hardships of life during Henry VIII's reign with the romantic side. The characters are well developed. Throw in the adventure and intrigue during Patrick and Rosamund's travels in Continental Europe, and you have the perfect formula for a gripping tale. The only flaw in this book is the point where Rosamund turns character and decides to marry Logan after labeling him as a "monster". However, this book lends a side of realism that is not often seen in historical romances, which, while I have read this book more than once, keeps me coming back again and again.

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Publisher: Signet; Reprint edition (April 5, 2005)
ISBN: 0451214765
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