The Highland Guard and His LadyIn the court of Mary, Queen of Scots, danger lurks around every corner.Leslee MacKinnon is a protector of the heart of Scotland. She can read the past of any object she touches. Translating ancient tomes for the monks of Holyrood Abbey is the perfect cover for a secret mission, until she discovers her predestined enemy is closing in.Duncan Douglas is captain of the … in.
Duncan Douglas is captain of the guards and protector of the prince. When a bonny secretive lass appears and catches the attention of the king consort, his only family, he must make an impossible choice.
To protect Scotland, she must eliminate her greatest enemy. But when the challenge begins, will he forgive her for destroying his family?
***This novella was previously published in the Ladies of the Stone anthology***
Ladies of the Stone
From within the soul of a special stone, the embodiment of the heart of Scotland, a protector is selected. A woman with a pure heart and the ferocity of a warrior is called to the fairy pools on the Isle of Skye upon the death of the previous protector. However, nature has a way of balancing itself, and so with each call to a Protector comes the call of an evil force, set on using the stone for their own purpose. These are the stories of the Protectors of the Heart of Scotland, the stone they seek to keep safe and the love that strengthens and emboldens them.
Other Ladies of the Stone novellas: The Highlander’s Quest, by Eliza Knight, Her Highland Destiny by Madeline Martin, and The Protector’s Promise by Cecelia Mecca
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4.5 stars – originally reviewed as part of the Ladies of the Stone anthology.
Leslee MacKinnon is the current protector of the stone, she has an unusual gift, she can “read” objects, she can see visions of the past and can feel the objects owners feelings. She is at Holyrood Place to translate an ancient text for the Queen. She meets Duncan Douglas, captain of the guard, when she tries to enter the queen’s apartments. Duncan is immediately drawn to her and feels oddly protective of her.
Duncan is the distant cousin to Lord Darnley, the Queen’s consort, the father of the prince and Duncan’s only living family. They both feel the attraction, but she knows nothing will come from it – she will return to Skye and he is needed at the castle.
They grow closer and Leslee trusts him with her secrets, which he seems to accept without question. But when Leslee’s nemesis tries to claim the stone, will Duncan choose Leslee or will he choose to stand by the only family he has left?
This was a great story, lots of emotion, steamish love scenes and the most original and entertaining fictional interpretation of Lord Darnley’s death that I have ever read.
Lady Leslee MacKinnon, the Protector of the stone is staying at the court of Mary Queen of Scots & working on the translation of a tome. She encounters Duncan Douglas, Captain of the guard & a distant cousin to Henry Darnley. Leslee has a terrible sense of direction that lands her in trouble. Another engaging read that really made me think!
I first read this story in the Ladies of the Stone anthology which centre around the Protector of the Stone, there’s magic, love, romance & the dagger shaped mark that appears on hips.
Another delightful book by Lori Ann Bailey. This is a stand alone and a quick read. If you love Scottish Highlanders, you will love this book. Get it!!
I read this book as part of the Ladies of the Stone anthology.
4 stories in one book, a great combo of writers, Eliza Knight, Madeline Martin, Cecelia Mecca, & Lori Ann Bailey, that I enjoyed very much.
One theme, a rare and precious stone, embodied with the spirit of Scotland must have a protector and of course, for every protector of the stone is a nemesis.
I enjoyed reading each authors story of how the protector and nemesis interact.
Lori Ann Bailey – The Highland Guard
I loved this story it was wonderfully done with facts interlaced with fiction.
A gifted young woman Lady Leslee Mackinnon is at the castle with the queen her personal translator, her gift is not translating its in reliving the past through her touch. When Duncan Douglas is also protecting the baby Prince James he finds himself attracted to Leslee but will his attraction interfere with the task he’s assigned.
Will Leslee be able to trust Duncan or will he shatter her heart as well as her trust!
Lori Ann Bailey has a gift in bringing her stories to life, her characters are vibrant and intriguing her stories are well researched and they never disappoint. A truly gifted author that brings the words to her stories to life.
I recieved a complimentary copy for my honest unbiased opinion.
The Highland Guard And His Lady by Lori Ann Bailey: Edinburgh Scotland 1567 A.D.
This story has mistrust, a warrior, duty, honor, protectiveness, translator, mind controlling, protection, gift of touch, guardianship, scandal, trust, a difference in station, evil, greed, arrogance, confidence, protector, fear, homesickness, encouragement, strength, visions, fighting, an attack, unworthy, love and a power to protect The Stone Of Scotland.
Stay at Holyrood Palace with Captain Duncan Douglas and Lady Leslee MacKinnon.
***This book was gifted to me and I am voluntarily reviewing.
The Highland Guard and His Lady is a romance built around the true story of the reign of Mary Queen of Scots. The story is set in the real location of Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, Scotland in the year 1567. Bailey skillfully weaves truth with fiction bringing to life actual events through the lives of her characters. Captain Duncan Douglas is the Queen’s Captain of the Guard and cousin to the Queen’s Consort Lord Darnley. While protecting the Queen’s residence, Duncan meets Lady Leslee MacKinnon. Leslee has a hidden talent that only a few know about. The more attracted she feels to Duncan the more she wants to share it with him. But will he accept her as she is or turn away as others have in the past?
“As his regard lingered on her, she felt her cheeks warm. His mouth turned up and he leaned into the wall to watch her. The casual gesture heated her further as her thoughts turned to what it would feel like to kiss him.”
Bailey does a great job blending true events with a romantic tale. This story is a five star.
Part of Ladies of the Stone: A Scottish Romance Anthology
Ladies of the Stone: A Scottish Romance Anthology …I enjoyed all four stories:
The Highlander’s Quest by Eliza Knight…Alistar and Julia and Merida….
Cassandra by Madeline Martin….Cassandra and Fergus …
The Protector’s Promise by Cecelia Mecca ..Mstion and Court(William … The Highland Guard and His Lady by Lori Ann Bailey .. Duncan and Leslee… All four stories has a similar theme but are all different and get to their own HEA.
From within the soul of a special stone, the embodiment of the heart of Scotland, a protector is selected. A woman with a pure heart and the ferocity of a warrior. Each with a special mark and powers . Each with an Evil force determine to obtain the stone for their purposes. This is one of their stories.
Protector Lady Leslee MacKinnon is in Edinburgh at the home of Queen Mary, helping to translate a large tome for the Queen. Captain Duncan Douglas, a distant cousin the Queen Mary’s husband Henry, guards their son, Prince James. When the two run into each other, Duncan helps Leslee find her way in the castle. As he spends more time with her his attraction to her builds as does Leslee with him. But she is the keeper of the stone to save Scotland and has many more abilities that cut her off from others. But evil forces are at hand that want the stone and will kill her to get it. Can Duncan keep her safe? Will he be like the others and call her a witch for her special skills ? I truly loved this story. Two souls who really needed each other so very much and the journey that brings them together.
I really was sad to turn the last page!! Lori Ann Bailey always writes amazing stories! This was part of the Ladies of the Stone Anthology.