From their very first meeting - at her debut ball - Lady Isabella and Lord Mac Mackenzie have scandalised the ton. After running away that very night to get married, Mac never stopped - vanishing to the continent to paint after every argument, returning a few weeks later, contrite and begging forgiveness. Until, after three years, Isabella walked out of his life and removed all trace of him from hers.
Now after three and a half years of loneliness and silence, Isabella is ready to face her husband again. Someone is selling paintings under Mac's name, and she wants him to catch the culprit. The only trouble is that Mac is more interested in capturing his wife - this time for keeps.
The HIGHLAND PLEASURES (
The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie) returns with the second youngest of the Duke of Kilmorgan's brothers, the notorious artist Mac. Renowned for his rakish ways and drunken unpredictability, Mac nevertheless fell hard for Isabella, and even through the painful troubles of their marriage and their difficult separation, he loves her still. As she loves him. No matter their problems, that fact is never denied.
But Isabella was hurt by her marriage, her heart broken and her trust in Mac shattered. She never regrets her marriage, she just doesn't think she can live with Mac anymore. The breaking of his marriage changed Mac, and though he's still little more than half-tame, he longs to show Isabella how different things could be. But trust takes time to build and the Mackenzie's are not the most patient bunch. Yet underneath his teasing, seductive exterior is a streak of vulnerability that stops him becoming insufferable.
Too alike in some ways, too different in others, both still have a lot to learn - about marriage and each other - but as the forger's crimes escalate, they are thrown back together and given plenty of time to figure things out.
Alongside this are welcome returns from the Mackenzie family: Hart, a brief appearance but as manipulative as ever; Cam and Daniel with their troubled relationship; Ian and Beth, happily married, and though settled Ian hasn't changed too much - even Inspector Fellows returns to help out.
Combining an intriguing mystery with a deeply moving romance - more about building trust and healing than finding love - Ashley adds another excellent book to this series. Steamy hot in places, touching in others, there are a couple of plot points that do feel a little contrived to show Mac in a good light, but otherwise the tale steadily builds into a thoroughly enjoyable read. For emotional Victorian romance, you won't find many better.