
A bitter winter night blankets the Scottish highlands as Lilian is whisked away in a rattling coach, her cries swallowed by the howling wind. Frozen and frightened, she awakens in a massive stone hall, its fire casting a crimson glow over ancient walls and red‑sandstone arches. A dark, masked figure lifts her from the cold, his presence both protective and unsettling, and leads her into the heart of a fortified manor where the scent of hearth‑smoke mingles with the chill of looming stone.
There, Lilian confronts the enigmatic Beatrix Gilruth, a fierce woman whose hawk‑like eyes and icy demeanor hint at hidden agendas. Their tense exchange crackles with danger and curiosity, setting the stage for a tangled web of loyalty, love, and rivalry among Scotland’s noble clans. As alliances shift and secrets stir, listeners are drawn into a world where honor and passion collide beneath the looming towers of Clermistonlee.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (378K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Al Haines
Release date
2021-08-23
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1822–1887
A hugely popular Scottish novelist and historian of Victorian Britain, he wrote adventure stories, military romances, and vivid books about Edinburgh that reached a wide readership in his own lifetime. His work blends fast-moving plot with a strong feel for history and place.
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