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Betrayed
As the undisputed queen of sensual romance, Bertrice Small brings history to life through indomitable women who live with wit, intelligence, and courage and who love with fierce delight. Now she sweeps us to a time and place of fiery power struggles, where one woman holds the key to a country's future--and to her own consuming passion.
When Fiona Hay offers Angus Gordon her virtue in exchange for a dowry for her sisters, she so intrigues the rogue that he demands a higher payment: She will be his mistress. Thus begins a battle of wills and sensual delights. Destiny soon draws the ardent lovers into the turbulent court of King James. But soon the king's political schemes force Fiona away from the man she loves . . . and into the arms of a wild and passionate Highlander, The MacDonald of Nairn. Will this coldhearted and callous betrayal forever destroy Fiona's chance at happiness?
When Fiona Hay offers Angus Gordon her virtue in exchange for a dowry for her sisters, she so intrigues the rogue that he demands a higher payment: She will be his mistress. Thus begins a battle of wills and sensual delights. Destiny soon draws the ardent lovers into the turbulent court of King James. But soon the king's political schemes force Fiona away from the man she loves . . . and into the arms of a wild and passionate Highlander, The MacDonald of Nairn. Will this coldhearted and callous betrayal forever destroy Fiona's chance at happiness?
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
62 people are currently reading
456 people want to read
About the author
Bertrice Small
216 books1,130 followersBertrice Williams was born on December 9, 1937 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA, the daughter of Doris S. and David R. Williams, both broadcasters. She studied at Attended Western College for Women and Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School. On October 5, 1963, she married George Sumner Small, a photographer and designer with a History Major at Princeton. They had a son Thomas David. She lived on eastern Long Island for over 30 years. Her greatest passions were her family; Finnegan and Sylvester, the family cats; Nicki, the elderly cockatiel who whistles the NY Mets charge call; her garden; her work, and just life in general.
Published since 1947, Bertrice Small was the author of over 50 romance novels. A New York Times bestselling author, she had also appeared on other best-seller lists including Publishers Weekly, USA Today, and the L.A. Times. She was the recipient of numerous awards including Career Achievement for Historical Romance; Best Historical Romance; Outstanding Historical Romance Series; Career Achievement for Historical Fantasy; a Golden Leaf from the New Jersey Romance Writers chapter of Romance Writers of America; an Author of the Year (2006) and Big Apple Award from the New York City Romance Writers chapter of RWA, and several Reviewers Choice awards from Romantic Times. She had a "Silver Pen" from Affair De Coeur, and an Honorable Mention from The West Coast Review of Books. In 2004 she was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by ROMANTIC TIMES magazine for her contributions to the Historical Romance genre. And in 2008 she was named by ROMANTIC TIMES along with her friends Jennifer Blake, Roberta Gellis and Janelle Taylor, a Pioneer of Romance.
Bertrice Small was a member of The Authors Guild, Romance Writers of America, PAN, and PASIC. She was also a member of RWA's Long Island chapter, L.I.R.W., and is its easternmost member on the North Fork of Eastern Long Island.
Published since 1947, Bertrice Small was the author of over 50 romance novels. A New York Times bestselling author, she had also appeared on other best-seller lists including Publishers Weekly, USA Today, and the L.A. Times. She was the recipient of numerous awards including Career Achievement for Historical Romance; Best Historical Romance; Outstanding Historical Romance Series; Career Achievement for Historical Fantasy; a Golden Leaf from the New Jersey Romance Writers chapter of Romance Writers of America; an Author of the Year (2006) and Big Apple Award from the New York City Romance Writers chapter of RWA, and several Reviewers Choice awards from Romantic Times. She had a "Silver Pen" from Affair De Coeur, and an Honorable Mention from The West Coast Review of Books. In 2004 she was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by ROMANTIC TIMES magazine for her contributions to the Historical Romance genre. And in 2008 she was named by ROMANTIC TIMES along with her friends Jennifer Blake, Roberta Gellis and Janelle Taylor, a Pioneer of Romance.
Bertrice Small was a member of The Authors Guild, Romance Writers of America, PAN, and PASIC. She was also a member of RWA's Long Island chapter, L.I.R.W., and is its easternmost member on the North Fork of Eastern Long Island.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
May 6, 2025
read: 5/6/25
Setting: Scotland 1422-1427
3.5 stars
kidnaped, mistress, enemies to lover tropes
rtc
Setting: Scotland 1422-1427
3.5 stars
kidnaped, mistress, enemies to lover tropes
rtc
April 17, 2015
4 and 1/2 stars! Gripping Story Related to Border Chronicles Series
This romance is well named for it seems in it everyone is betrayed or betrays or both. It's a gripping story of love denied and reclaimed with all of the historical details and sensual scenes Small's fans have come to love. Like all her stories that I have read, this is not a typical historical romance. The hero and heroine are separated, people you come to love die...yeah, it's a Bertrice Small story.
We first met Fiona Hay at the court of James I in "The Border Lord and The Lady," book 4 of Small's Border Chronicles series, where she appears as the beautiful mistress of Angus Gordon, a clan chieftain and friend of King James. Then suddenly the MacDonald of Nairn steals her and we hear no more. I was so curious I tracked this book down...this is her story. For those fans of the Border Chronicles, I highly recommend reading this along with that series perhaps before The Border Lord and The Lady.
The story begins in 1422 when then Prince James is a captive of the English throne. Fiona Hay is 15 and the eldest daughter of her parents, who are both dead. She has 5 sisters and promised her mother on her deathbed that she would see them all married. One has been wed but she has four more to see to the altar. In order to pay their dowers she has stolen cattle from 25 year old laird Angus Gordon. When she is caught, Angus exacts as a price her maidenhead and takes her as his mistress. Right away I didn't like him, as she was an innocent just trying to care for her family. He could have made her his wife, as his sister urged him to do, but no. I felt he deserved to lose her.
Two years later James Stewart is now on the throne of Scotland and Angus visits him at court taking Fiona his mistress and parading her as such before all at court. While he has fallen in love with her he won't tell her and he has yet to marry her. When King James sees that Colin MacDonald, the laird of Nairn, is taken with Fiona, he takes advantage of the chance to plant a spy in the Highlands and sends Angus off on a mission and tells Fiona the laird of Nairn will abduct her, but that she must go with him. He also tells her that he has picked a bride for Angus and it isn't her. She is distraught but feels she has little choice. Colin MacDonald loves Fiona enough to steal her but not apparently enough to allow her the man she loves. Thus, three men, none of whom is deserving of her, have betrayed poor Fiona. But the worst betrayal was the king's for he lied to her repeatedly for his own selfish gain causing her much heartbreak.
Pregnant with Angus' child, Fiona finds herself in the Highlands and hand-fasted to Colin MacDonald, who thinks the child is his. The story kept me reading late at night as few have. I had to know how this would turn out. I did think that Small had Angus and Fiona too long apart. She was too long with the wrong man though he turned out to be a good one. I found myself hurrying through some chapters looking for Fiona and Angus to be reunited.
What I found a bit hard to believe: If you were betrayed by your king, would you name your child after him? I don't think so. And why would Fiona believe that Angus, who she knew loved her, wouldn't help her if she got word to him she had been stolen? There were explanations, but I wasn't quite convinced. I also could not see her going along with the abduction. There were times I wanted her to not just be angry but to act on that anger. Instead she always adapted to the circumstances. But that is just me.
I still loved this story!
This romance is well named for it seems in it everyone is betrayed or betrays or both. It's a gripping story of love denied and reclaimed with all of the historical details and sensual scenes Small's fans have come to love. Like all her stories that I have read, this is not a typical historical romance. The hero and heroine are separated, people you come to love die...yeah, it's a Bertrice Small story.
We first met Fiona Hay at the court of James I in "The Border Lord and The Lady," book 4 of Small's Border Chronicles series, where she appears as the beautiful mistress of Angus Gordon, a clan chieftain and friend of King James. Then suddenly the MacDonald of Nairn steals her and we hear no more. I was so curious I tracked this book down...this is her story. For those fans of the Border Chronicles, I highly recommend reading this along with that series perhaps before The Border Lord and The Lady.
The story begins in 1422 when then Prince James is a captive of the English throne. Fiona Hay is 15 and the eldest daughter of her parents, who are both dead. She has 5 sisters and promised her mother on her deathbed that she would see them all married. One has been wed but she has four more to see to the altar. In order to pay their dowers she has stolen cattle from 25 year old laird Angus Gordon. When she is caught, Angus exacts as a price her maidenhead and takes her as his mistress. Right away I didn't like him, as she was an innocent just trying to care for her family. He could have made her his wife, as his sister urged him to do, but no. I felt he deserved to lose her.
Two years later James Stewart is now on the throne of Scotland and Angus visits him at court taking Fiona his mistress and parading her as such before all at court. While he has fallen in love with her he won't tell her and he has yet to marry her. When King James sees that Colin MacDonald, the laird of Nairn, is taken with Fiona, he takes advantage of the chance to plant a spy in the Highlands and sends Angus off on a mission and tells Fiona the laird of Nairn will abduct her, but that she must go with him. He also tells her that he has picked a bride for Angus and it isn't her. She is distraught but feels she has little choice. Colin MacDonald loves Fiona enough to steal her but not apparently enough to allow her the man she loves. Thus, three men, none of whom is deserving of her, have betrayed poor Fiona. But the worst betrayal was the king's for he lied to her repeatedly for his own selfish gain causing her much heartbreak.
Pregnant with Angus' child, Fiona finds herself in the Highlands and hand-fasted to Colin MacDonald, who thinks the child is his. The story kept me reading late at night as few have. I had to know how this would turn out. I did think that Small had Angus and Fiona too long apart. She was too long with the wrong man though he turned out to be a good one. I found myself hurrying through some chapters looking for Fiona and Angus to be reunited.
What I found a bit hard to believe: If you were betrayed by your king, would you name your child after him? I don't think so. And why would Fiona believe that Angus, who she knew loved her, wouldn't help her if she got word to him she had been stolen? There were explanations, but I wasn't quite convinced. I also could not see her going along with the abduction. There were times I wanted her to not just be angry but to act on that anger. Instead she always adapted to the circumstances. But that is just me.
I still loved this story!
March 31, 2022
que libro mas toston, lo he abandonado porque es imposible leerlo
July 5, 2025
Betrayed by Bertrice Small (1998) was an incredible, poignant and captivating love story of one courageous woman’s fight for her survival and the man she loves.
Setting: Scotland, 1420’s and King James I rise to power.
Fiona Hay, age 15 has led an isolated life of poverty alone with her sisters… she’s proud, and determined to see them make good matches. Caught stealing cattle by Angus Gordon, laird of Loch Brae, age 25, she makes him a bargain… she’s sells her virtue to him. She never admits to stealing the cattle.
Throughout the story which spans about six years, Fiona is loved by two incredible men, Angus and Colin MacDonald, laird of Nairn, and the bastard brother to the Lord of the Isles. She becomes enmeshed in King James political schemes, and his ruthless determination to rule all of Scotland. Fiona suffers deeply as her life is torn apart, and has her heart broken repeatedly.
Bertrice Small has blended the story around actual events, people and descriptions making it totally believable. I’ve read numerous other Small HRs over the past 40+ years, and Betrayed is one of her finest. The sizzling passionate scenes build tension from the very beginning.
This was a riveting page turner with turns and twists as I anxiously awaited the ending … oh my.., it’s achingly ever so romantic!! Gotta give this emotionally charged romance ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!!
Setting: Scotland, 1420’s and King James I rise to power.
Fiona Hay, age 15 has led an isolated life of poverty alone with her sisters… she’s proud, and determined to see them make good matches. Caught stealing cattle by Angus Gordon, laird of Loch Brae, age 25, she makes him a bargain… she’s sells her virtue to him. She never admits to stealing the cattle.
Throughout the story which spans about six years, Fiona is loved by two incredible men, Angus and Colin MacDonald, laird of Nairn, and the bastard brother to the Lord of the Isles. She becomes enmeshed in King James political schemes, and his ruthless determination to rule all of Scotland. Fiona suffers deeply as her life is torn apart, and has her heart broken repeatedly.
Bertrice Small has blended the story around actual events, people and descriptions making it totally believable. I’ve read numerous other Small HRs over the past 40+ years, and Betrayed is one of her finest. The sizzling passionate scenes build tension from the very beginning.
This was a riveting page turner with turns and twists as I anxiously awaited the ending … oh my.., it’s achingly ever so romantic!! Gotta give this emotionally charged romance ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!!
July 17, 2011
A little raw at times--but loved the story. Those Stewart kings were devious buggers!
January 3, 2013
This author's novels are my guilty pleasure. Not the greatest things ever written, but enjoyable all the same. This one was somewhat of an exception. I found the writing to be a bit of a better quality than some of Mrs. Small's other novels and the story slightly more engaging. Would recommend to those who enjoy Scottish historical fiction and reading about simple lives of the past, not necessarily constant adventure.
September 18, 2016
Literally the worst book I've ever read. Me and my friend read this as a joke, and their was definitely a lot to laugh about!
April 4, 2020
Fiona loves Angus Gordon and he loves her. They share a special affair with Fiona as his Mistress, each of them too stubborn to admit that they love each other, and each waiting for the other to admit his/her love. But Angus Gordon's friendship with newly installed King of Scotland, James Stewart, will change the course of events. Soon Fiona will see herself stolen and married to Collin MacDonald who she, slowly, starts to feel another brand of love for.
Betrayed was better than I anticipated it would be! It allowed me to see that not all romantic fiction is bad. Admittedly, I've always had a bit of distaste for the Romance genre. I kept on telling myself that I would try and read more of it because I probably just haven't found the right romance novel to read that would change my mind or inspire to seek out further romantic fiction. So while this wasn't the perfect romance novel for me, it was more enjoyable than I thought it was going to be! With that, I am going to read more romance novels because I am determined to find the right one for me! So this was definitely a good starting point to inspire me onward.
Betrayed was better than I anticipated it would be! It allowed me to see that not all romantic fiction is bad. Admittedly, I've always had a bit of distaste for the Romance genre. I kept on telling myself that I would try and read more of it because I probably just haven't found the right romance novel to read that would change my mind or inspire to seek out further romantic fiction. So while this wasn't the perfect romance novel for me, it was more enjoyable than I thought it was going to be! With that, I am going to read more romance novels because I am determined to find the right one for me! So this was definitely a good starting point to inspire me onward.
July 8, 2017
I remember reading this many times in college. I know almost everybody loves Angus the Hero (or was he? lels) but he was not really in the book much of the time (I wonder where he was haha). I love Collin (the 2nd lavah of Fiona). And I think I remember that I hated the ending. Just. Geez. Wish it ended differently.
April 24, 2021
by and1515
They say fortune favored the bold well she hoped that was true because her family was counting on her and unfortunately she only had one thing of any real worth.
However her feelings for the man she'd come to hold high in her esteem had been sent on an mission for the King.
Then she was tricked, manipulated and lied to be the man who swore his undying friendship for her man.
She could have curled up and died but that was never her way she would endure one day at a time.
Fiona never understood why men had to be so pig head and allow their precious pride to lead them down dangerous paths of no return.
Again and again life kept moving and changing from one triumph to the next tragedy and when there was nothing left.
She returned to the very last place still available to her.
They say fortune favored the bold well she hoped that was true because her family was counting on her and unfortunately she only had one thing of any real worth.
However her feelings for the man she'd come to hold high in her esteem had been sent on an mission for the King.
Then she was tricked, manipulated and lied to be the man who swore his undying friendship for her man.
She could have curled up and died but that was never her way she would endure one day at a time.
Fiona never understood why men had to be so pig head and allow their precious pride to lead them down dangerous paths of no return.
Again and again life kept moving and changing from one triumph to the next tragedy and when there was nothing left.
She returned to the very last place still available to her.
September 2, 2023
Insufrible
Un hombre hecho y derecho decide tomar como concubina a una chiquilla de 15 años por represalia al robarle ganado, está claro que es histórica y que se deja claro que la madre de la chiquilla con quince años ya tenía dos criaturas pero me sigue dando asco. Y más cuando está la segunda pareja la hermana menos de la chiquilla de 10 años que no deja de tirarle los tejos al hermano menor del prota, es incómodo hasta para el personaje del hermano.
No he encontrado nada bueno, ni divertido, ni romántico
Un hombre hecho y derecho decide tomar como concubina a una chiquilla de 15 años por represalia al robarle ganado, está claro que es histórica y que se deja claro que la madre de la chiquilla con quince años ya tenía dos criaturas pero me sigue dando asco. Y más cuando está la segunda pareja la hermana menos de la chiquilla de 10 años que no deja de tirarle los tejos al hermano menor del prota, es incómodo hasta para el personaje del hermano.
No he encontrado nada bueno, ni divertido, ni romántico
October 11, 2019
Revized?
I wonder if Amazon made a mistake? I checked my digital content and noted there was an update available. Being very familiar with this book I downloaded it, however the updates were so subtle that I could not detect them or they simply don't exist. Boo boss the look really did not need any update. Although I did see a few more typo 's.
I wonder if Amazon made a mistake? I checked my digital content and noted there was an update available. Being very familiar with this book I downloaded it, however the updates were so subtle that I could not detect them or they simply don't exist. Boo boss the look really did not need any update. Although I did see a few more typo 's.
July 12, 2020
The hero and heroine here had great chemistry. That is what ultimately makes this book work. It had a good premise, but ultimately what makes the book work is that you wanted to root for their successful union.
October 29, 2017
Wonderful historic romance
No one tells a story better than Bertrice Small. I wish there could be more, but alas Bertrice passed away last year.
No one tells a story better than Bertrice Small. I wish there could be more, but alas Bertrice passed away last year.
March 23, 2022
Awesome, but it made me cry.
wnr
November 18, 2023Have a hardcover also published in 1998.
July 14, 2025
I couldn't get past the fact main character was only 15 being taken by a full grown man.
May 15, 2013
Rating: 4 stars
I think that this book was overall intriguing. If you are seeking for a heart-wrenching story full of betrayals and hurt then this would be good.
I loved Fiona's characteristics; humble and prideful. And I've also loved Colin so far, he's such a daring, determined guy, and to me it's so sweet how he loves Fiona unconditionally. This book didn't feature much about Angus sadly, but I loved him too. The events happening from one event to another, was great and didn't get me bored. The ending was a satisfaction and actually humorous, but left me wanting to see a more glimpse of their lives afterwards, but I just know that their lives would be happier now, which satisfied me enough. :)
I think that this book was overall intriguing. If you are seeking for a heart-wrenching story full of betrayals and hurt then this would be good.
I loved Fiona's characteristics; humble and prideful. And I've also loved Colin so far, he's such a daring, determined guy, and to me it's so sweet how he loves Fiona unconditionally. This book didn't feature much about Angus sadly, but I loved him too. The events happening from one event to another, was great and didn't get me bored. The ending was a satisfaction and actually humorous, but left me wanting to see a more glimpse of their lives afterwards, but I just know that their lives would be happier now, which satisfied me enough. :)
May 22, 2024
It has been a long time since a book made me cry. Yes, I have read plenty of books that have saddened me, and moved me. But outright cry? Very few. Bertrice Small' s books have been a guilty pleasure of mine, but never until Betrayed did I actually shed tears.
The novel follows our 15th century Scottish heroine, feisty country girl Fiona, who ends up at the court of James I. Small goes in quite a bit on his ruthless character: he ruled with an iron hand, annihilating all those who would oppose him, whether his own family members or rebellious clansmen of the Highlands.
I loved the character of Fiona and rooted for her all the way, and I was fascinated by Small' s portrayal of James I, one of the best villains I have come across.
The novel follows our 15th century Scottish heroine, feisty country girl Fiona, who ends up at the court of James I. Small goes in quite a bit on his ruthless character: he ruled with an iron hand, annihilating all those who would oppose him, whether his own family members or rebellious clansmen of the Highlands.
I loved the character of Fiona and rooted for her all the way, and I was fascinated by Small' s portrayal of James I, one of the best villains I have come across.
March 22, 2012
The title Betrayed truly suits this wonderful novel. From the first page it caught my attention and I hated for it to end. It is definatly a book I will pick up again and read. Bertrice Small wrote a wonderful historical fiction novel when she put this to words.
June 25, 2009
It was no Hellion but good read
October 1, 2010
This was a SAGA... I liked the strong female character as well as the the time period. England/Scotland 15th century. She does historical fiction very well.
Read
April 1, 2013Ned. Titel: de wildernis die liefde heet
January 8, 2023
Una storia che mi ha catturata sin da subito appassionante e scorrevole.
August 6, 2013
Bertrice Small captures the character of the real King James I so well. I love her writing for its historical accuracy.
April 2, 2014
Good story set in 16th century Scotland!
December 17, 2014
Great
As always it was a wonderful book. I have been reading her books for years. The only one's I don't care for are the very sexual one's, I'm more about the story
As always it was a wonderful book. I have been reading her books for years. The only one's I don't care for are the very sexual one's, I'm more about the story
January 9, 2017
3.5 stars
June 20, 2018
Classic Bertice Small. Rereadable!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews