A carefully orchestrated plot, or a chance encounter? Their love burns through all doubt. Marion Baird’s biggest problem is her mother’s greed. Excited to explore King James’s court, Marion wishes to avoid being flaunted in front of future prospects like a prized cow. She would rather explore the lavish castle grounds and library at Linlithgow Palace. That is until she encounters a man straight out of legend she can neither ignore nor deny. Alexander Campbell, Earl of Argyll has accepted an invitation to the King’s summer tourney. While the exercise is welcome, the society is wrought with drooling mothers and daughters anxious to display their lack of talent and grace. This event will prove no different. He encounters a bewitching lady in the gardens during the masked ball and what follows will be burned onto his soul for all time. Caught between scandal and prejudice, Marion and Alexander must decide if their passion is real or the product of a carefully orchestrated plot. Tropes You'll Love: Arranged marriage - Throwing a grand ball - Honorable knight; innocent maiden - Broken past engagement - Medieval pageantry - Scheming mother - Royal interference - Double romance - Tourney and knights - Scottish king and English queen Note : This series is part of Dragonblade's Flame line, so this is a scorching-hot read with open-door steam. Thistle and Rose Book 1 - A Courtship at Linlithgow Book 2 – A Courtship in the Highlands Book 3 – A Courtship at Stirling