Avon Books (Paperback), ISBN 0-380-80833-1
Cathy Maxwell heads to Scotland in The Marriage Contract, a regency historical that blends memorable characters, wonderful adventure and sizzling romance. Though the premise of proxy marriages finds its way into many historicals, Maxwell serves it up with the added twist of a battle of wills between a feisty heroine and stubborn hero.

Anne Burnett suffers the unfortunate circumstance of being an orphan and poor relation -- better known as an inconvenience. With no suitors and faced with a bleak future as the companion to an elderly employer, she considers her only option. She agrees to marry a man she has never seen -- Aidan Black, Earl Tiebauld, an eccentric figure rumored to be quite mad. After she signs the marriage contract, she boards a carriage and heads to the Scottish highlands to break the news of his marriage to Earl Tiebauld.

Aidan Black lives the bachelor life with an abandon bordering on squalor. With hair unfashionably long and clothes unfit for refined company, he indulges in occasional skirmishes as a blue faced warrior thrashing around the countryside with his buddies. Quite the character, he rescues Anne from being ripped to shreds by a wildcat. This first meeting earns a permanent place in their memories when Anne proves herself no retiring genteel woman but one who knows how to bring a man to his knees.

With the Castle Kelwin to call home, Anne steels her resolve to counter the outrageous requests Aidan makes in his effort to get rid of her. Her success at each task earns his respect and prods his conscience. Through her compassionate treatment towards his kinsmen and their family, Aidan's heart responds even when his mind fights against the new emotion called love.

Danger lurks, however, as their defense crumbles, their pride moves aside and love enters their hearts. The British are coming. Soldiers with orders to seek out and imprison traitors nip at the heels of Aidan and his clansmen. And Anne, who already lost her father to English "justice," must face losing Aiden to the same harsh mistress.

Clever plot twists with splashes of humor carry the story to its surprise conclusion. Cathy Maxwell's The Marriage Contract deserves a "must read" stamp.

Michelle Monkou

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