Banks's first Montgomerys and Armstrongs novel brings romance to 13th-century Scotland. King Alexander II decrees a marriage between the two families, hoping to end their feud. Graeme Montgomery is disappointed that his king has ordered him to wed Eveline Armstrong, the daughter of his enemy. Though Graeme has never meet Eveline, he has heard rumors that she is "daft" and will be unable to bear him heirs. Despite discovering that she cannot speak, Graeme is impressed by his new wife's innate intelligence and perseverance regardless of the disdain displayed by members of his clan. While the love story between the resolute yet misunderstood woman and the fierce warrior is enticing, Eveline's altruistic nature sometimes seems too good to be true. However, the mystery behind her muteness and the subplots threatening her safety add intrigue to this satisfying, evenly paced historical. Agent: Kimberly Whalen, Trident Media Group. (Oct.)