Highland Ecstasy
Highland Ecstasy by Mary Burkhardt 1993 Kensington Publishing Corp.
Fans of “Outlander” should read this book. It has many of the same elements from Laird Ian Sinclair calling Lady Myrtle Prescott “Sassenach” to the laird hiding his identity because of the British.
English Earl Jonathan Prescott, who is dying, visits Kilmarock Castle to tell Ian he must leave Scotland forever because his brothers Malcolm and Hugh fought and died at Culloden. He will be tried as a Jacobite and traitor if he remains. Ian fakes his suicide. Prescott promises to send a savior to help the people of Ian’s clan and sends his spinster daughter Myrtle.
Captain Addison Barrington is courting her although she does not love him. She is a tall buxom woman that others joke about and has no hopes of marrying. Addison has been told to marry her because his father wants the land and her wealth. Addison gives her his pistol and warns her the Scots are savages. The reader knows he is bad news but the author layers this villain from mild threat to violent killer.
Thomas and Katie are the only servants in the run down castle and Katie had a vision of a woman named for the symbol of the clan, Myrtle, who would save them or destroy them. Katie puts her in a cellar room that Ian haunts to scare her away. She discovers the servants’ room are better than hers, but she takes it all with humor and a determination to stay to fulfill her father’s wishes. Any woman can identify with Myrtle’s vulnerability about the negative perception of her appearance and her kindness and courage make her a great heroine.
She rides over the property the next day with Gavin MacKenzie and continues in the rain even after someone throws a rock at her and knocks her from the horse. Gavin tells Ian about her courage. His daughter Jean is caught by Myrtle fondling Ian in the wash room. Gavin explains that Ian dubbed Urisk was beaten in the head and is childlike. He wears a mask to hide smallpox scars.
Ian, feeling guilty about putting Myrtle in the cellar, carries her to his room. She finds his diary and two dirty books she reads. She becomes obsessed with his portrait and falls in love with the ghost of Ian. Think “The Ghost and Mrs. Muir.” She becomes friends with Urisk and explains the birds and bees to him. This is a funny way to show both characters reveal things they normally wouldn’t in a normal conversation.
Addison visits with his mother and sister, Twilla, who were commoners and still fall back on their Cockney accents. Her mother uses broken French which Ian finds frustrating. He hates Addison pawing Myrtle and dumps gravy on him. During this time someone throws a knife at Myrtle and then an arrow which is stopped by Duncan Knox, a member of a warring clan.
Myrtle and Ian don’t trust each other completely. Ian loses patience with Addison’s mother and sister and when Addison calls Myrtle a whore, she refuses his proposal and they leave. Myrtle receives a letter from the king pardoning Ian and restoring the lands to his heir. When a British soldier is killed, Myrtle rides into the midst of soldiers and clansmen and is nearly killed. Ian, having read the pardon, rides in and protects her as the laird. Gavin says they will marry, making the bond for the land sealed. Myrtle refuse to marry him, humiliated by his role of Urisk but she relents and they are wed.
Troubles follow with Ian spending her money, now his, and she worries that money was his reason for marrying her. Jean also causes problems with spreading lies about her and Ian. Addison also wants to break up the marriage. Secrets are revealed about Jean and Addison in the end.
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