Torrian Ramsay, future laird of the Ramsay clan, learned long ago not to take his family for granted. Without the love and devotion of his sire, he would never have survived the childhood illness that kept him abed for years. Now Torrian is a strapping lad, unrecognizable as the sickly laddie of his past, but one thing has not changed-he will still do aught in his power to make his sire proud. So when the King of the Scots asks him to enter into a betrothal with Davina Buchan, the daughter of a power-hungry laird, he feels he has no choice. Though Torrian is certain the lass's family has hidden motives, his sire believes in following their king's orders, and besides, the marriage will help keep peace in the Highlands. Then Torrian meets Heather, a wild-haired lass who's spent the past years living in nature with her wee daughter, away from any clan. With Heather, he discovers that love has a power as strong as duty. To marry as his heart desires, Torrian must prove that the Buchans are not what they seem, but time is not on his side. He will need to rely on his family and friends to help him convince his sire-and his king-that he should be allowed to make his own match.