Adair does not take her role of Countess of Stanton lightly and feels a deep obligation to the people of Stanton. Knowing that a woman alone cannot protect the village and its people from the Scottish raiders, Adair agrees to marry Andrew Lynbridge, a man who has served under her Uncle Richard, the Duke of Gloucester. While the Duke is pleased by the marriage and the Stanton lands are now more secure, it is little more than a marriage on convenience for Adair. She learns to care for Andrew and they share a mutual respect, but she feels no real love or passion for her husband.

The death of King Edward brings turmoil and Andrew Lynbridge is killed in battle. When England’s new King Henry VII summons Adair she learns that he has stripped Adair of both her title and her land. Returning to Stanton once more, determined to see the Radcliffe legacy prosper and continue, Adair vows to start anew. Her hopes are dashed, however, when the small village is raided and Adair is captured and sold into slavery.

Adair finds herself in the service of Conal Bruce, a Scottish border lord who gets more than he bargained for when bringing Adair into his home as a housekeeper and mistress. Once again Adair finds herself starting again, this time far from home.

A Dangerous Love is filled with history and adventure as well as passion and romance. Adair Radcliffe is a strong character driven by duty and preserving her family’s legacy and finds herself in situations that test her character and loyalty. Bertrice Small has created characters that the reader cares about and the pages fly as Adair grows from an orphaned child to a woman determined to be in charge of her own destiny. Ms. Small has crafted an excellent start to The Border Chronicles series and I will anxiously await the next offering. Highly recommended