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The beautiful but haughty Duchess of Herridge is known to all the ton as the "Ice Queen." But to Ian McNair, the exquisite Emma is nothing like the rumors. Sensual and passionate, she moves him as no other woman has before. If only she were his wife and not his captive . . .
Little does Emma know that the dark and mysterious stranger who bursts into her bedroom to kidnap her is the powerful Earl of Buchane, and the only man who has been able to see past her proper façade. As the Ice Queen's defenses melt under the powerful passion she finds with her handsome captor, she begins to believe that love may be possible. Yet fate has decreed that the dream can never be—for pursuing it means sacrificing everything they hold dear: their honor, their futures . . . and perhaps their lives.
In 1864, a nervous Lady Emma arrives at Chavensworth to meet with her husband Anthony, the Duke of Herridge. She loathes and fears her cruel spouse and wishes him in hell like he has done to her. However, she is taken aback to learn her husband is dead. Known as the Ice Queen amongst the Ton, Emma wants to be a free widow, but her Uncle Peter Harding demand she marry again even before the acceptable mourning periods ends as he covets the money she would bring to him.
Laird Ian McNair breaks into Emma's boudoir demanding she return the Tulloch Sgathan that he insists belongs to the Scots, but she has no idea what the thief alludes to with this alleged mirror. When her uncle comes to lecture her, Ian knocks him out and abducts Emma. Ian is stunned by the passion he sees hidden beneath the veneer of the Widower. However though he wants to make her ignite, he knows she is betrothed to his cousin, Bryce. When Bryce suddenly dies, the Ton believed the cold haughty Emma is a black widow spider as many believe she poisoned him. Ian vows to prove her the victim of ruthless males including the real killer of his cousin.
A Highland Duchess is a superb Victorian romantic suspense starring a strong hero and a beleaguered woman. The amateur sleuth whodunit enhances an exciting romance as Ian begins melting the ice protecting his beloved's heart, but she trusts no man as all males, who should have protected her, since her dad died have been demandingly ruthless.
Harriet Klausner
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Irene_M
Posted July 30, 2010
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A DESPERATE WOMAN... The Duke of Herridge was dead. Eighteen months had passed since her husband's sudden, mysterious death, and Emma had kept the knowledge of exactly how he'd died a secret, along with other events she dared not reveal. At least with Anthony's death she would finally be free. Now all Emma wanted to do was forget the past and adopt a quiet, decorous mode of living that would hopefully allow all the harsh rumors surrounding her to just fade away.~~~
But then her uncle comes to her and declares he has found her another husband, and she will shortly be a married woman again. His pronouncement leaves Emma trembling with dread as she has no desire to be a bride again; marriage had been a hideous experience for her and she didn't ever want to repeat it. As she sits contemplating what to do about her uncle's decree, lightening flashes in darkness outside the sitting room window; the stormy weather a grim parallel to Emma's turbulent emotions... She just can't do it, she could not marry again.~~~
She goes to the widow and stares into the rainy night; and leaning her head against the glass in despair and desperation she utters a prayer into the darkness beyond, as she had done many times while married to Anthony... Please, God, save me.....
When an unfamiliar voice calls out her name, she turns to find a strange man standing in front of an open window across the room. The man was tall, dressed all in black, with striking features and an attractive face one would not easily forget. Her intruder cheekily smiles at her; and then has the audacity to demand the duchess give him the Tulloch Sgàthán so he could return the valuable mirror to its rightful owners.~~~
Emma knew she very much needed a miracle. But God must truly work in mysterious ways, or have a unique sense of humor, if he had sent this handsome, arrogant rogue--the-most-unlikely-knight-in-shining-armor-ever--to come to her rescue. But luckily for Emma, Ian Hamilton McNair, Scottish Earl of Buchane, and Laird of Trelawny, is no ordinary brigand!
*****
Along with her customary dramatic flair and the smooth, sophisticated writing her readers have come to expect, in her newest historical romance, A HIGHLAND DUCHESS, USA Today bestselling author, Karen Ranney delivers an intricately complex and powerfully stirring emotional tale of the beautiful young Duchess of Herridge... A woman who'd been traumatized during her marriage by the perverted desires of a husband who had forced her to endure acts of depravity guaranteed to crush the spirit, and defeat even the sturdiest of souls.~~~
It's also the story of Lord Ian McNair, an intelligent and well regarded man of science. A man who upon meeting the Duchess is mesmerized by Emma's beauty--by expressive eyes that fascinated him, and spoke of untold secrets hidden in their blue depths. They revealed a strong woman of intelligence and wry humor, along with glimpses of darker, more painful emotions she struggled to hide. Ian doesn't care about the rumors surrounding the woman they call the Ice Queen. But can he convince Emma that he'll never hurt her? That he only wants to be the man that melts the ice around her heart, eases her pain, and helps her to heal. Beyond that, he's determined to be the only man she turns to for comfort, for the safety and sanctuary found in his strong, protective arms... and for the fiery passion in his tender, loving touch.~~~ A rich, wonderful story~Highly Reco
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 9, 2013
Karen Ranney gives you enough to allow you to use your imagination. She has your interest from the beginning. Love her books.
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Posted December 15, 2012
Lots of twists and turns with this one. It kindof bugged me that Emma meekly married whoever she was told to but overall an enjoyable read.
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Overview
The beautiful but haughty Duchess of Herridge is known to all the ton as the "Ice Queen." But to Ian McNair, the exquisite Emma is nothing like the rumors. Sensual and passionate, she moves him as no other woman has before. If only she were his wife and not his captive . . .
Little does Emma know that the dark and mysterious stranger who bursts into her bedroom to kidnap her is the powerful Earl of Buchane, and the only man who has been able to see past her proper façade. As the...