The Truelove Bride

Description

Lady Avalon d'Farouche has been brought to King Henry II's court but she is not comfortable there. Her family's castle had been assaulted some twelve years earlier and her father killed. She had been rescued by a visiting Scot, Hamoch Kincardine and spirited away to Scotland where she had lived for seven years. Her experience had made her very different from the other ladies of the court. But what really sets Avalon apart is her psychic ability to read others thoughts, a "gift" which the young woman tries hard to deny. Hamoch Kincardine had a vested interest in Lady Avalon. Legend has it that his clan will remain under a century-long curse until "the bride" returns to wed the clan's chief. Hamoch had identified young Avalon as the promised bride and had negotiated her betrothal with his son. While she was in Scotland, he tried to turn her into the "warrior" bride of the legend. His ruthless treatment led Avalon to vow that she would never marry and to refuse to believe in the legend. To do so would be to give in to Hamoch. Summoned by her uncle to return to her home, Avalon is dismayed to discover that Bryce d'Farouche plans to marry the heiress to his brother Warner. She also learns that Bryce was responsible for the raid that destroyed her home. Bryce's plans are thwarted when Marcus Kincardine abducts his promised bride.

First Sentence

The courtier standing in the royal great room said the word with relish, drawing out the syllables.

Subjects