The Tyrant

With this third volume in The Golden Chronicles series, Veryan continues the adventures of Bonnie Prince Charlie's partisans. An unwilling conspirator, but loyal to old friends, wealthy bachelor Meredith Carruthers is caught up in Jacobite stratagems to intercept an important section of a crucial cipher. Part of the conspiracy involves Carruthers's feigned but public engagement to nubile Phoebe Ramsay, who is semibetrothed to another and eventually will be revealed as a double agent in pursuit of the legendary treasure that Charles Stuart is attempting to have smuggled to France. Fustian subplots include romantic liaisons, a staged duel and kidnapping, and other contrivances to secure the safety of Jacobite friends and relatives, before the predictable union of Meredith and Phoebe. Practice to Deceive and Journey to Enchantment are the predecessors in this Georgian romance series. (March 24)