Seduced by a Rogue Book

It has been quite a while since I read a Scottish Highlander book, so was a little unsure of how I would feel about the high handed ways usually apparent in the heroes.  I shouldn't have worried.  Robert Maxwell, our hero, has been sent to Dunwythie by his brother Alex, the Sheriff of Dumfries, to order the laird Dunwythie to turn over collected taxes, with fees, to the Sheriff, instead of straight to the crown as they had done for centuries.  As the laird had ignored all previous requests to do this (knowing it was only to increase the Maxwell clans power over them), Maxwell feels it is a fool's journey, yet loyalty to his clan has him undertaking the task. He brings with him the son of an ally, Will Jardine.  As the two approach, they come upon two females on horseback, who turn out to be Dunwythie's daughters.  There is an instant spark between the eldest, Lady Mairi, and Robert, though they keep it to themselves.  Will and Fiona, the other sister, flirt shamelessly.  Mairi refuses to give them any information, telling them to see her father.  They do, and are un ceremoniously turned away.  Robert sends Will home, and informs Alex of the failure.  The two argue and Rob begins preparations for the journey back to Trailonghail, where he is laird.  Before he can, however, he runs into his beloved, very outspoken Gram, Lady Kelso.  The Lady puts forth the idea that Rob runs to Trailinghail when he is annoyed with his brother and she brings up duty to the clan.

Unfortunately, this starts Rob thinking on how he can avoid Alex starting a clan war, while ensuring the safety of everyone.  The Trailinghail Tower gives him an idea, and he begins preparations.   This idea involves the kidnapping of Lady Mairi, which he does post haste due to an accidental meeting in the wood when he and his men go to check out the land.  She is brought back to the tower, where she is kept a prisoner, albeit a comfortable one.  It was amusing to read of Rob's hurt feelings when she questions his motives, as she is a prisoner, no matter what he may guild the cage with.  It was also irritating for me when she would apologize for things (such as throwing a stool at him) because, at least at this point, he is her enemy and captor, not her friend.  

The book progresses through Mairi's assertion that the kidnapping is futile, because her father will never bow to any demands to get her back, Rob's complete belief that her father will do anything to ensure her safety,  and of course, the feelings that develop between the two.  An interesting note to this book is the near lack of sex.  There are two sex scenes in the book, which are so brief as to be nearly forgettable, (and I did feel Mairi at 19 loses her virginity much too easily and without much care.  It is a bittersweet moment when Rob realizes his plan has failed and has to return Mairi, only in time for tragedy to strike.  Fiona has caused troubles  of her own, and it is her aspect that sets up the story for the next book in the series.