Born an Imperial Mughal princess, now a widowed marchioness, Jasmine had been forced into marriage twice. Rebelling at King James' decree that she wed James Leslie, fifth earl of Glenkirk, she flees to France with her children. Her youngest, the illegitimate offspring of Jasmine's hot-blooded lover, Prince Henry Stuart, is the king's only grandson. Time is running out for Jasmine's idyll of freedom - coming for her and her little boy - is the man she both fears and desires. Darling Jasmine The Glenkirk Chronicles By Bertrice Small Kensington March 2007 His anger white-hot Jemmie Leslie had come to France to possess Jasmine, by force if necessary. Once they shared a night of unforgettable passion, but her rejection of their betrothal stunned and maddened him. His reputation has been tarnish before the king's entire court. When he finds her, she will pay and pay dearly. She will marry him , without delay, before the whole kingdom - she will not escape this time. Things change, however, when he finally tracks her to a small villa in southern France. He realizes he actually loves this infuriating beautiful woman and vows to win her back. Adam de Marisco is dead. One moment he is setting in the Great Hall of his home, surrounded by his family, gathered to celebrate the holidays - Twelfth Night. He had smiled out at them - saying "God Bless you all, my dears" - then his head fell to his chest and he is gone. Skye, Adman's wife knew her life would forever be changed. Of all her marriage - and there were many - she had truly loved Adam. Skye is Jasmine's grandmother and had helped her escape from Jemmie. She did not, however, think the chit would be gone for over two years. She really must tell Jasmine about Adam's death. She would be devastated, but probably would not return to English - afraid of running into Jemmie. Skye O'Malley de Marisco stares out the window of her day room. her beloved Adam is gone and she must listen to her know it all daughter Willow, Lady Edwards, telling her that it simply isn't respectful for a matriarch of her age - 75 years young - to live alone. She is not helpless, she will not close up her home and move in with any of her children, She will go visit her Darling Jasmine in France. Jasmine has made two marriage to please her family - she should not have to marry Jemmie Leslie just to please the king. She tells Willow to home and take the rest of the family with you - I must be alone to mourn the loss of my dear Adam. Skye tells her maid and long time friend Daisy to start packing. They are going to France to see Jasmine and the children.. They will tell no one of the pending trip. Two days later Skye's great traveling coach moves slowly down the Queen's Malvern drive toward the main road and southeast toward the coast. Jemmie has been informed by Robin Southworth, the earl of Lynmouth,, that Skye is traveling to France to see Jasmine. Thanks to this information he will finally catch up with the recalcitrant dowager marchioness of Westleigh, Jasmine de Marisco. She had made him the laughing stock of the court by jilting him in the face of King James' order that they marry. To make matter worse, she had taken the king's only grandson out of England. It is easy for Jemmie to follow Skye without her knowledge. Finally they arrive at the village where Jasmine is staying. Skye is not too surprised when the earl walks in, but Jasmine is infuriated. She has problems - the king has made James Leslie guardian of her four children. What is she to do - should she run once again? Where would she go - he would surely find her and force her to marry him. She would just have to stick it out and teach the earl a lesson. She is a princess and the marchioness of Westleigh - she will submit to no one's decree - not even the king. They soon arrive at a truce of sort. The children are growing fond of him and he is captivated by young Prince Stuart. Jemmie solicits Skye's help in winning Jasmine. Skye agrees to take the children to visit relations over in Archambault and Paris. When winter is over she and the children will return to England. This will leave Jemmie and Jasmine time along to work out their difference. Things progress rather well and Jasmine agrees to return to England , but has not agreed to marriage.. Returning to England brings unforeseen perils as they are swept up in a glittering world of treacherous intrigue, bringing death as close as desire...pitting a king's absolute power against one woman's unshakable love. Highly recommended. Ms. Small is an excellent writer. She makes the character come alive, holds your interest from the first to the last page. This book will make an excellent addition to your personal library.