The Secret

Julie Garwood

6/9/2006

Judith and Frances Catherine were four years old when they met, too young to know they were supposed to hate each other. But English Judith and Scots Frances Catherine instead became close, fast, lifelong friends. When grown, Frances Catheriine married a Highlander and moved from the border into the middle of Highland Scotland. Judith had promised many years earlier to come when Frances Catherine needed her. Frances Catherine sent her message after she'd been married two years.

Lady Judith responds immediately. When the Highlanders arrive at her English home, she packs and leaves with them within a day, glad to leave her uncle behind. Her mother is in London. She had grown up knowing her father was dead. Although the men who come for her could appear intimidating, Judith goes with them gladly to keep her promise to Frances Catherine.

Iain Maitland is the laird of the clan. His brother, Patrick, is married to Frances Catherine. So when it is time for someone to enter England to ask Lady Judith to come, he is one of the party. He is sure she will refuse to come and is surprised when she agrees. As they travel north he is impressed with her stamina and spirit. He doesn't understand the bond between the women but accepts it. Reluctantly he also accepts that he is attracted to Judith. She is an Englishwoman and cannot stay in the Highlands.

Judith shakes up the Maitland clan. Just because something has always been done a traditional way doesn't mean it has to stay that way. The elders are not ready to deal with both Frances Catherine and Judith. Iain isn't ready to deal with Judith or his emotions. Judith herself isn't ready to deal with Iain, much less reveal her secret about her family. Even so, there is no way to avoid any of these changes...

Sigh, an enjoyable bodice ripper. I'd like to believe there were women like Lady Judith back then - able to speak up for other women and start making a difference. This is a comfortable romance novel with plausible history mixed in. It is non-challenging escapism fiction in the form of a historical romance. Sit back, ignore reality and enjoy Old Scotland in the 1200's for a few hours.

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Notice: Explicit sexual situations