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Secret Clan #2
Die Rückkehr des Highlanders
Ein großes Geheimnis umgibt die hübsche Waise Elspeth, angeblich illegitime Tochter eines Grafen, die bei Pflegeeltern ein glückloses Dasein fristet.Von ihrer hohen Geburt und dem riesigen Schatz, den sie einmal erben soll, weiß das Mädchen nichts.
Doch alles ändert sich, als sie Patrick MacRae vor der Gefangennahme rettet und ihm eine Stelle bei ihrem Vormund verschafft.Der schottische Edelmann ist inkognito auf einer geheimen Mission in königlichen Diensten und schwebt in höchster Gefahr. Er erkennt schnell, dass sie bezaubernde Elspeth - wie er selbst - nicht das ist, was sie zu sein scheint. Um seine Aufgabe erfolgreich beenden zu können muss er ihr Vertrauen gewinnen. Denn nur gemeinsam können sie zum Ziel gelangen und schließlich ihre wahre Identität enthüllen...
Doch alles ändert sich, als sie Patrick MacRae vor der Gefangennahme rettet und ihm eine Stelle bei ihrem Vormund verschafft.Der schottische Edelmann ist inkognito auf einer geheimen Mission in königlichen Diensten und schwebt in höchster Gefahr. Er erkennt schnell, dass sie bezaubernde Elspeth - wie er selbst - nicht das ist, was sie zu sein scheint. Um seine Aufgabe erfolgreich beenden zu können muss er ihr Vertrauen gewinnen. Denn nur gemeinsam können sie zum Ziel gelangen und schließlich ihre wahre Identität enthüllen...
416 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2002
9 people are currently reading
252 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Scott
172 books381 followersAmanda Scott, USA Today Bestselling Author and winner of Romance Writers of America’s RITA/Golden Medallion (LORD ABBERLEY'S NEMESIS) and Romantic Times’ Awards for Best Regency Author and Best Sensual Regency (RAVENWOOD'S LADY), Lifetime Achievement (2007) and Best Scottish Historical (BORDER MOONLIGHT, 2008), began writing on a dare from her husband. She has sold every manuscript she has written.
Amanda is a fourth-generation Californian, who was born and raised in Salinas and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in history from Mills College in Oakland. She did graduate work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, specializing in British History, before obtaining her Master’s in History from California State University at San Jose. She now lives with her husband and son in northern California.
As a child, Amanda Scott was a model for O’Connor Moffatt in San Francisco (now Macy’s). She was also a Sputnik child, one of those selected after the satellite went up for one of California’s first programs for gifted children. She remained in that program through high school. After graduate school, she taught for the Salinas City School District for three years before marrying her husband, who was then a captain in the Air Force. They lived in Honolulu for a year, then in Papillion, Nebraska, for seven. Their son was born in Nebraska. They have lived in northern California since 1980.
Scott grew up in a family of lawyers, and is descended from a long line of them. Her father was a three-term District Attorney of Monterey County before his death in 1955 at age 36. Her grandfather was City Attorney of Salinas for 36 years after serving two terms as District Attorney, and two of her ancestors were State Supreme Court Justices (one in Missouri, the other the first Supreme Court Justice for the State of Arkansas). One brother, having carried on the Scott tradition in the Monterey County DA’s office, is now a judge. The other is an electrician in Knoxville, TN, and her sister is a teacher in the Sacramento area.
The women of Amanda Scott’s family have been no less successful than the men. Her mother was a child actress known as Baby Lowell, who performed all over the west coast and in Hollywood movies, and then was a dancer with the San Francisco Opera Ballet until her marriage. Her mother’s sister, Loretta Lowell, was also a child actress. She performed in the Our Gang comedies and in several Loretta Young movies before becoming one of the first women in the US Air Force. Scott's paternal grandmother was active in local and State politics and served as president of the California State PTA, and her maternal grandmother was a teacher (and stage mother) before working for Monterey County. The place of women in Scott’s family has always been a strong one. Though they married strong men, the women have, for generations, been well educated and encouraged to succeed at whatever they chose to do.
Amanda Scott’s first book was OMAHA CITY ARCHITECTURE, a coffee-table photo essay on the historical architecture of Omaha, written for Landmarks, Inc. under her married name as a Junior League project. Others took the photos; she did the research and wrote the text on an old Smith-Corona portable electric. She sold her first novel, THE FUGITIVE HEIRESS - likewise written on the battered Smith-Corona in 1980. Since then, she has sold many more books, but since the second one she has used a word processor and computer. Twenty-five of her novels are set in the English Regency period (1810-1820). Others are set in 15th-century England and 14th- through 18th-century Scotland, and three are contemporary romances. Many of her titles are currently available at bookstores and online.
Amanda is a fourth-generation Californian, who was born and raised in Salinas and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in history from Mills College in Oakland. She did graduate work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, specializing in British History, before obtaining her Master’s in History from California State University at San Jose. She now lives with her husband and son in northern California.
As a child, Amanda Scott was a model for O’Connor Moffatt in San Francisco (now Macy’s). She was also a Sputnik child, one of those selected after the satellite went up for one of California’s first programs for gifted children. She remained in that program through high school. After graduate school, she taught for the Salinas City School District for three years before marrying her husband, who was then a captain in the Air Force. They lived in Honolulu for a year, then in Papillion, Nebraska, for seven. Their son was born in Nebraska. They have lived in northern California since 1980.
Scott grew up in a family of lawyers, and is descended from a long line of them. Her father was a three-term District Attorney of Monterey County before his death in 1955 at age 36. Her grandfather was City Attorney of Salinas for 36 years after serving two terms as District Attorney, and two of her ancestors were State Supreme Court Justices (one in Missouri, the other the first Supreme Court Justice for the State of Arkansas). One brother, having carried on the Scott tradition in the Monterey County DA’s office, is now a judge. The other is an electrician in Knoxville, TN, and her sister is a teacher in the Sacramento area.
The women of Amanda Scott’s family have been no less successful than the men. Her mother was a child actress known as Baby Lowell, who performed all over the west coast and in Hollywood movies, and then was a dancer with the San Francisco Opera Ballet until her marriage. Her mother’s sister, Loretta Lowell, was also a child actress. She performed in the Our Gang comedies and in several Loretta Young movies before becoming one of the first women in the US Air Force. Scott's paternal grandmother was active in local and State politics and served as president of the California State PTA, and her maternal grandmother was a teacher (and stage mother) before working for Monterey County. The place of women in Scott’s family has always been a strong one. Though they married strong men, the women have, for generations, been well educated and encouraged to succeed at whatever they chose to do.
Amanda Scott’s first book was OMAHA CITY ARCHITECTURE, a coffee-table photo essay on the historical architecture of Omaha, written for Landmarks, Inc. under her married name as a Junior League project. Others took the photos; she did the research and wrote the text on an old Smith-Corona portable electric. She sold her first novel, THE FUGITIVE HEIRESS - likewise written on the battered Smith-Corona in 1980. Since then, she has sold many more books, but since the second one she has used a word processor and computer. Twenty-five of her novels are set in the English Regency period (1810-1820). Others are set in 15th-century England and 14th- through 18th-century Scotland, and three are contemporary romances. Many of her titles are currently available at bookstores and online.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 27, 2025
Although some Amanda Scott novels are hit or miss for me this one sold me at — a 16th century Scotland Cinderella.
The first half is really calming to read. Lots of historical feels of life on a manor/castle. Both MCs are greater than they pretend to be but you don’t get the full scope. Patrick spends time as a falconner, he meets Elspeth who is literally seeming to be just a maid of the household. But still seems more than that and is protected by the Lord of the Manor.
I love that this is a highlander novel with Cinderella themes. Evil step sisters and fairy tale touches to it!— while also being historical, set in the highlands.
The first half to the middle had me completely engaged but the ending — mixing witchcraft trials and an angry cardinal — seemed off from the rest of the story. It didn’t flow with every other plot line. Plus it just seemed to melodramatic.
I’d give four stars to the first half and 3 for the rest of the book. It’s an easy, light highland read.
The first half is really calming to read. Lots of historical feels of life on a manor/castle. Both MCs are greater than they pretend to be but you don’t get the full scope. Patrick spends time as a falconner, he meets Elspeth who is literally seeming to be just a maid of the household. But still seems more than that and is protected by the Lord of the Manor.
I love that this is a highlander novel with Cinderella themes. Evil step sisters and fairy tale touches to it!— while also being historical, set in the highlands.
The first half to the middle had me completely engaged but the ending — mixing witchcraft trials and an angry cardinal — seemed off from the rest of the story. It didn’t flow with every other plot line. Plus it just seemed to melodramatic.
I’d give four stars to the first half and 3 for the rest of the book. It’s an easy, light highland read.
Read
January 6, 2023My sister loaned me this light, fun historical romance set in 1530 Scotland. It includes falconry, fairies, and a touch of the Cinderella story. A good counter point to the Saul Bellow book I’m plodding through.
April 4, 2022
„Das verborgene Erbe der Highlands“ ist ein weiterer Teil der Highland Clans Reihe von Amanda Scott.
Elspeth wurde als Kind nach Farnsworth gegeben, da sie angeblich ein unehelicher Abkömmling eines nach England geflohenen Adligen wäre. Ihren Unterhalt muss sie sich hart als Dienstmagd verdienen und auch sonst hat sie es unter der bösartigen Lady der Burg und ihren beiden Töchtern nicht leicht. Elspeth ahnt nicht, dass ihre angebliche Abstammung eine große Lüge ist und ihr eigentlich ein einflussreiches Erbe zusteht. Sir Patrick MacRae trifft nach einer aufgeflogenen Spionagemission zufällig auf Elspeth und fühlt sich von Anfang an zu ihr hingezogen. Elspeth hilft ihm, seine Identität zu verbergen, aber dabei gerät sie selbst in Gefahr.
Es ist eindeutig von Vorteil, wenn man den ersten Band der Reihe bereits gelesen hat, denn die Geschichten hängen weitestgehend zusammen. So handelt es sich bei Elspeth um die lang verschollene Schwester von Molly und bei Patrick um den besten Freund von Fin, die beide im ersten Teil zusammenfanden.
Elspeth hat keine wirkliche Familie mehr und trotz aller Schikanen hält sie loyal zu Lord und Lady Farnsworth. Sie sehnt sich nach Freiheit, was nach der Begegnung mit dem angeblichen Flüchtigen Patrick noch intensiver wird. Es knistert heftig, aber trotz aller Anziehung ist sich Espeth ihrer Situation deutlich bewusst und lässt sich nicht so einfach auf Patrick ein.
Sir Patrick hat eine wichtige Mission, die er nicht vergessen darf. Die Ablenkung durch das vermeintliche Dienstmädchen bringt seine Gefühle durcheinander, vor allem als er die wahre Identität von Elspeth zu ahnen beginnt.
Amanda Scott hat ihr Highland Abenteuer durchaus spannend und unterhaltsam gestaltet. Vor allem gegen Ende steigt die Spannungskurve noch einmal an und die Charaktere müssen einiges aushalten. Wie im Vorgängerteil gibt es einen mystischen Handlungsfaden, der mit der eigentlichen Story eng verflochten ist. Ich hatte auf jeden Fall Spaß beim Lesen und bin gespannt auf den nächsten Teil.
Mein Fazit:
Von mir gibt es sehr gern eine Leseempfehlung!
Elspeth wurde als Kind nach Farnsworth gegeben, da sie angeblich ein unehelicher Abkömmling eines nach England geflohenen Adligen wäre. Ihren Unterhalt muss sie sich hart als Dienstmagd verdienen und auch sonst hat sie es unter der bösartigen Lady der Burg und ihren beiden Töchtern nicht leicht. Elspeth ahnt nicht, dass ihre angebliche Abstammung eine große Lüge ist und ihr eigentlich ein einflussreiches Erbe zusteht. Sir Patrick MacRae trifft nach einer aufgeflogenen Spionagemission zufällig auf Elspeth und fühlt sich von Anfang an zu ihr hingezogen. Elspeth hilft ihm, seine Identität zu verbergen, aber dabei gerät sie selbst in Gefahr.
Es ist eindeutig von Vorteil, wenn man den ersten Band der Reihe bereits gelesen hat, denn die Geschichten hängen weitestgehend zusammen. So handelt es sich bei Elspeth um die lang verschollene Schwester von Molly und bei Patrick um den besten Freund von Fin, die beide im ersten Teil zusammenfanden.
Elspeth hat keine wirkliche Familie mehr und trotz aller Schikanen hält sie loyal zu Lord und Lady Farnsworth. Sie sehnt sich nach Freiheit, was nach der Begegnung mit dem angeblichen Flüchtigen Patrick noch intensiver wird. Es knistert heftig, aber trotz aller Anziehung ist sich Espeth ihrer Situation deutlich bewusst und lässt sich nicht so einfach auf Patrick ein.
Sir Patrick hat eine wichtige Mission, die er nicht vergessen darf. Die Ablenkung durch das vermeintliche Dienstmädchen bringt seine Gefühle durcheinander, vor allem als er die wahre Identität von Elspeth zu ahnen beginnt.
Amanda Scott hat ihr Highland Abenteuer durchaus spannend und unterhaltsam gestaltet. Vor allem gegen Ende steigt die Spannungskurve noch einmal an und die Charaktere müssen einiges aushalten. Wie im Vorgängerteil gibt es einen mystischen Handlungsfaden, der mit der eigentlichen Story eng verflochten ist. Ich hatte auf jeden Fall Spaß beim Lesen und bin gespannt auf den nächsten Teil.
Mein Fazit:
Von mir gibt es sehr gern eine Leseempfehlung!
September 17, 2011
Again, this is not the right synopsis. Molly's story is the Abducted Heiress. The library description and the back of the book for this one: "She is called Elspeth, a bonny lass whose dusty servant's rags conceal her well-born status. She recalls nothing of her past-or of the coveted Dunsithe treasure that is her birthright. From her lonely room in Farnsworth Tower, she dreams of a mist-shrouded forest and yearns for the miracle that will free her from a life of drudgery.
In the guise of an English nobleman, Sir Patrick MacRae risks his life for his fellow Scotsmen. With danger at his heels, he finds refuge at a border estate where he meets an intriguing young woman who, like him, is not what she seems. Now Patrick must earn Elspeth's trust even as his enemies seek to unmask him. For only together can they protect his mission...and uncover her true identity in time to save their love."
In the guise of an English nobleman, Sir Patrick MacRae risks his life for his fellow Scotsmen. With danger at his heels, he finds refuge at a border estate where he meets an intriguing young woman who, like him, is not what she seems. Now Patrick must earn Elspeth's trust even as his enemies seek to unmask him. For only together can they protect his mission...and uncover her true identity in time to save their love."
January 1, 2014
I tolerated the first one's bit with the fairies even though I felt the story line was totally unnecessary. However, this one was just BORING and I have no intention of reading the rest of this series, and will probably avoid this author. I love fantasy, and I love historical romance, but this combination was poorly executed.
August 30, 2007
well not at all fun as the first book in this series(abducted heiress)...other than that the heroin had to suffer a lot and the mystery was solved as soon as she was decked in fine clothes...blah blah
February 8, 2008
Yeah, I like princess stories. This one is good. It's the first Amanda Scott book I read. It's a fun read. It made me realize I can enjoy just about any genre. I never thought I'd like princess stories. But, it was really entertaining.
Want to read
March 1, 2011#2
September 9, 2016
I really enjoy this book! I disliked the treatment of Bessie from Lady Farnsworth and her daughters! Patrick MaRae was a favorite of mine in the first book Abducted Heiress
October 7, 2024
ok story but it keeps switching back and forth between story lines and gets hard to follow. Found it while packing up some books and decided to reread it.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews