Broken. Burned. Silenced.
If Alice would not speak the evidence, she would not speak at all. She would be forced to wear the "scold's bridle" and be burned at the stake as a witch unless she revealed the evidence of the late laird's murder.
If Colum believed the bonnie lass was a witch for her heterochromatic eyes, that she killed his father while he was away at sea, and that his brother was not a sniveling, cowardly usurper bent on punishing those weaker than him, perhaps he would not be so tempted to save her. Yet, he cannot help but dread marrying the fickle Lady Campbell and wonder whether the abused ward, with her quiet strength and sharp wit might make a better wife for the true laird of Clan Lamont. This novel can be equally described as a historical fiction and a Scottish Highlander Romance for the depth of story, containing an approximate map of Scotland's clans and a riveting tale of early 17th century intrigue, torture, over-seas travel, and erotic love.