The 'Scots Brigade,' and other tales

In the waning light of 18th‑century Europe, the famed Scots Brigade stands as Holland’s bulwark against its rivals, its red‑coated battalions marching from the woods of Brabant to the Frisian coast. James Grant paints a vivid tableau of battlefield clangor and the swagger of seasoned officers, while also hinting at the quieter dramas that unfold behind polished oak tables. The opening chapters introduce a world where honor, ambition, and the roar of musket fire mingle with the softer strains of courtly intrigue.

The story turns to Lieutenant‑General John Kinloch, a seasoned commander whose sharp mind is matched only by his disdain for romance. His nephew, Lewie Baronnald, a handsome young lieutenant, finds his heart tugged between military duty and a secret love for the enigmatic Dolores. As Kinloch threatens to send Lewie off to distant postings to curb his affection, the young officer must navigate the pressures of family, rank, and a love that feels as perilous as any battlefield.