The Seaforth Heiress: Lady of the Last Prophecy
Historic Women of the Highlands Book 2HISTORICAL FICTION
Release date: July 25, 2024
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A century-old curse shadows the woman destined to be Clan Mackenzie’s chief only female chief.
“The author utilizes great creativity and historical research to craft a captivating journey through the tumultuous Highland landscape and the internal struggles of Mary Mackenzie.” -K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite
The family of Lord Seaforth lives under the shadow of a dark prophecy. Over a century ago, Coinneach Odhar, known as the Bzrahan Seer, foresaw the demise of the Seaforth line. There is little doubt among Scottish Highlanders that the end of the dynasty is drawing near.
Mary Mackenzie, eldest daughter of Lord and Lady Seaforth, is determined to enjoy the privileged life which seems her birthright. But after her father accepts the British governorship of Barbados, Mary experiences an awakening of conscience. Initially confident that Lord Seaforth will outlaw the barbarous treatment of enslaved Africans, she soon discovers the limits of his power and the weaknesses in his character that threaten her family’s stability.
Marriage offers Mary a comfortable life in London, until a journey through southern India reminds her again of the injustices of conquest. Frustrated by her powerlessness, and ashamed of what she now views as her own hypocrisy, she longs to return home to Brahan Castle and the people of Ross-shire. But as a series of tragedies unfolds, Mary must confront a growing fear that the dire prophecy of her family’s ruin is indeed coming to pass, and she may become the prophet’s final messenger of death.
The Seaforth Heiress continues the series Historic Women of the Highlands by award-winning author Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard, who says about the novel’s main character:
“Mary Mackenzie was not a crusader or activist, being very much entrenched in the social order of her day. But it is recorded by many who knew her, or knew of her, that Mary possessed a kind heart. I believe it more than likely that her scruples were informed at a relatively young age by the harsh realities she observed in colonial Barbados, and her later exposure to the plight of native peoples in India.
“Mary was undeniably ahead of her time. There were those who criticized her freewheeling manner, especially her friendships with prominent men—some of whom may, or may not, have been lovers. I did not delve into all these relationships but touched upon her friendships with Henry Russell and Sir Walter Scott; the latter’s admiration for Mary (by all accounts purely platonic) is apparent in his description of her as having ‘the heart of a chieftainess, through and through.’
“There are a great many gaps in our knowledge about Mary. As a writer of historical fiction, I’m not bothered by the missing pieces of the puzzle. In fact, I welcome them. To me it’s as important to explore speculative aspects of a character as factual. Nevertheless, I have tried, as much as possible, to respect the truth of what is known of Mary Mackenzie and to fairly intuit the rest. Hers is a fascinating story set in the Regency era of colonial Britain and during a tumultuous period of Scottish Highlands history in which Mary played an important role.”
