Margaret Moore, Lord of Dunkeathe

Lord of Dunkeathe

Margaret Moore

HQN, Feb 2005, $6.99, 384 pp.

ISBN: 0373770405

In 1240, Scottish King Alexander awards Norman Sir Nicholas with Dunkeathe's Castle for his loyalty. Norman needs a wealthy bride so he announces that he will host a selection gala. Ten ladies with quite a retinue participate with only one being a Scot, Lady Riona mac Dougen, whose kind Uncle Fergus wants the best for his ward.

Nicholas is attracted to the brave, kindhearted Riona and relishes the idea she is Scottish because he needs a ticket to gain friends; however she has no dowry so he knows nothing can come of this. As he observes the women, several are brainless; some are haughty; while a few do not want to wed him. All except perhaps Riona know the abusive price of failure from their male protector. Only Riona interests him and he her, but both realizes he can not choose an impoverished bride.

LORD OF DUNKEATHE is a fine, fifteenth-century romance that provides glimpses and hints of how women are less than cattle amidst the aristocracy. Readers will agree with Nicholas that the heroine is so perfect, she must be hiding something. The real rivals lack substance so that no true competition occurs. Still, Nicholas is a captivating lead male hunk and Riona a delightful charmer so that fans of the sub-genre will enjoy this solid tale, but wonder what could have been if talented Margaret Moore broke out of the box into more of a historical plight of the female tale.

Harriet Klausner