Highland Protector

Howell continues the Murray saga (Highland Destiny, etc.) with a 15th-century tale of conspiracy and treason. Ilsabeth Murray Armstrong overhears her fiancé plotting to betray her. When the king's agent is murdered and the Armstrongs blamed, Ilsabeth flees to Simon Innes, a reputable investigator and close family friend. The king wants Simon to find the Armstrongs. The Murrays want him to identify the real murderer. Ilsabeth just wants him to unravel the tangled plots and prove her innocence—and to love her, of course, since she fell in love with him almost on sight. Simon distrusts all women, especially pretty ones, but with two winsome orphans, a crotchety butler, a bossy housekeeper, and a meddling Murray cousin all lending a hand, Simon doesn't have the chance to guard his heart. Readers will delight in the abundance of lively (if brogue-heavy) banter and teasing. (Dec.)