Gwendolyn McClintock, a spinster with four failed betrothals, sailed from her family’s plantation in South Carolina all the way to Scotland, along with her niece Julia and nephew, Jeremiah. Jeremiah has inherited a title and will become a Scottish Lord of Parliament when he’s of age. But on their way to Suttford House, they come across an unconscious man on the road. With two children, her lady’s maid Kandie, and her elderly Aunt Barbara, Gwendolyn isn’t quite sure what to do with the man, but as he was hit by their coach’s horses, Gwendolyn opts to take him along. The man, Dugall Ferguson of Craiglocky Keep, solicitor and his brother’s steward, was robbed on his way to Edinburgh.
Dugall is glad he awakens to Gwendolyn’s pretty face, but when he learns her name, he has reservations: the McClintocks are the enemy. Meanwhile, Lloyd Hollingsworth, who studied law with Dugall, is minding Suttford House. Hollingsworth had thought he would inherit, not Jeremiah. Hollingsworth has somewhat of a reputation, so Dugall offers Gwendolyn his services as steward for a few months, until he joins the Diplomatic Corps. But it doesn’t take long before it seems that someone is trying to kill Gwendolyn…
A new book by Collette Cameron is always a treat, and in addition to lovely descriptions of Scotland, there is a touch of the America south in the plentiful additions of southern expressions. There were some interesting historical details, such as Gwendolyn having sold everything in South Carolina and feeling out of place in Europe. Some things were at the same time dreadful and amusing because of Gwendolyn’s ingenuity: when a very unpleasant – and quite unexpected – event occurs, Gwendolyn instead of falling apart concocts a very clever way of dealing with the situation. There is also the matter of Gwendolyn being a few years older than Dugall, which is seldom seen and refreshing in itself.
SEDUCTIVE SURRENDER is a multilayered story with a very complex legal matter at the heart of the mystery, as well as a lovely romance. While the attraction between Dugall and Gwendolyn was immediate, the romance progresses slowly, their relationship is built on trust and respect, and the conflicts are entirely external; neither does anything silly. And the mystery had me utterly baffled, I would never have guessed what had happened. It was a bit unusual for Ms. Cameron, whose stories are usually more focused on characters than plot-driven, but it was very well done.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.