The Scottish Bride

Reverend Tysen Sherbrooke has always assumed he was happy. He has led a life of reflection and faith as a dour vicar to a small parish. He married a similarly serious woman (to whom his family referred as having "too many names and no bosom to speak of"), and had three children to show for it. He worried over his brothers' tendencies to run fast and loose (until they finally married), and to indulge their younger sister's tomboy attitude (until she finally married). He was happy, even after his wife passed away, he was content with his position in life. Until a distant Scottish relation passed without a living heir. Tysen was then forced to accept the title of Baron Barthwick, and deal with all the title entailed.

Mary Rose Fordyce is sick of being on the run. She is known as the local bastard, and her mother refuses to reveal her parentage. She is looked after by a greedy guardian, who has given leave to a local man to persuade Mary Rose "by any means necessary" into marriage. Mary Rose understands that if she allows this man to catch her alone he won't hesitate to rape her to force her hand. So, she resorts to the only means she can think of-?jumping into a river.

Luckily for Mary Rose, Tysen's eldest child (Maggie) concealed her identity and acted as her father's tiger on the journey from England to Kildrummy Castle in Scotland. She discovers Mary Rose and hides her in the place no one could be expected to find her-?her own bedchamber. Meggie understands, even at the tender age of 10, that her mother and father's marriage wasn't based on love, but on mutual respect. Meggie desperately wants her father to end up with Mary Rose.

This book differs from Coulter's normal Bride Series formula in many positive ways. Tysen's personality and background stand out from those of his siblings. It is a fun read, and a nice look back at developments since the first three.