The Enchantress

The second installment in McGoldrick's Highland Treasure trilogy begins with 16th-century high-action drama. Laura Percy has been in secret residence in various remote corners of the Scottish Highlands ever since her father was killed for defying the king of England. William Ross of Blackfearn, the reckless brother of a church provost, is sent to find the refugee and deliver her into their clan's protection. But just as William arrives to snatch the unsuspecting Laura, so have a sinister crew who are after a treasure to which Laura is connected. William finally snatches the heroine and brings her to Blackfearn Castle, where she finds work making lace. Though William resists the attraction he feels for Laura, he eventually succumbs to his desires. Through Laura, he begins to accept his responsibilities to his family and people. The romance is tender, and the narrative is enhanced by strong secondary characters, but the book's intrigue plot stalls in order to be resolved in the trilogy's final book. (Aug.)