The Laird by Juliana Garnett

Re-Reading Challenge: March 2009

(hosted by Nath – full details here)

Category: Romance – Historical (Middle Ages)

Series: No

She is the enemy of his clan, the friend of his foe, and the most beautiful prisoner he has ever seen. She is Judith Lindsay, the brazen young beauty who’s bound by blood and honor to her beloved England – even now, as she’s bound by her captors in the Campbell family’s keep. As future laird of this proud Scottish clan, Robert Campbell knows he should treat the Lindsay woman with contempt. The feud between their people has claimed the lives of his brothers. But when he sees the quiet strength in Judith’s soul – and the fire in her eyes – his heart must surrender to a very different battle.

Juliana Garnett was one of the first romance authors I read and I want to say upfront that her books are comfort reads for me. I try to be objective with this commentary, but if I sound a bit biased, well, at least you’ll know why.

The time is 1327; the setting is Scotland. Robert’s father, the laird of the Campbell clan, is preparing to ride out with seven of his eight sons on a kidnap mission at the command of his overlord, the craven Earl of Argyll. They succeed in abducting not only the five-year-old heiress of Clan Caddel, but her aunt, Lady Judith, as well. However, this feat does not come without a cost, for all seven of Robert’s brothers died that day.

So Robert, nicknamed the Devil’s Cub, bears the guilt and his father’s ire of being the only son (and not one of his favourites) left alive. His sorrow, anger and animosity towards his father are well portrayed. He is a strong and honorable man and a laird in his own right. Despite his sorrow and anger over the senseless death of his brothers, he tries to make the hostages comfortable and shield them from his father’s maddened grief. This is a man who wants to be a scholar instead of a warrior, but circumstances leave him with no choice but to fight.

Judith is a sensible and stoic woman. Widowed and childless at age twenty-six, this English gentlewoman is wanted by neither her late husband’s clan nor her own father. She makes the best of things and doesn’t hope for too much. When she is kidnapped with Mairi (the heiress) by those dastard Campbells, she is determined to protect Mairi at all costs. Robert’s unexpected humanity gives her hope that she and Mairi will be safe as long as he’s around.

What makes this book so good for me are definitely Robert and Judith. Despite an early attraction, their love for each other grows through daily interaction, sharing of thoughts and kind gestures. They haven’t known each other for very long before they fall in love – and this is what’s so compelling for me – they are tentative with those new powerful feelings, yet they are willing to go ahead to trust and love, especially Judith. Her love for Robert is so complete and unwavering, and that’s so beautiful to read.

Forming the backdrop to Robert and Judith’s love story is an account of life of that time – clan wars, political alliances, allegiances. The author did a great job making this aspect interesting and didn’t bog it down with too many details. I had enjoyed reading about the pillaging clans who would stand together against common enemies, but as soon as those enemies were vanquished, would immediately go back to the business of pillaging each other’s livestock, etc.

All in all, this is a well-rounded, well-told highland tale.

4 out of 5. I like it. It’s compelling, a page-turner. Sensuality: Subtle