The Royal Mile — Mary Daheim

As her father lies on his deathbed, Dallas Cameron joins the crowd gathered at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh to witness the triumphant entrance of Mary Stuart into Scotland in 1561. On Dallas way home, she is rescued from a group of lecherous ruffians by a dashing stranger. Iain Fraser escorts her home where Dallas mortally ill father recognizes her savior s name and tells him a secret he has never shared with anyone the identity of Iain s father.  Donald Cameron s death leaves Dallas and her two sisters destitute. She tries to earn money by selling meat pies and family heirlooms, but her efforts are in vain. Taking pity on the poor lassie, Iain spares her further humiliation by giving her a loan. Later, she accidently stumbles across his ship hidden in a cave and discovers that not only is Iain one of Queen Mary s favorite courtiers, but he s also a pirate. To ensure her silence, Iain agrees to marry her, but love isn t part of their strange bargain. She gains respectability and security while he moves on to enjoy his freedom.  Iain s dedication to Scotland and the Queen often takes him away from his wife, whose loyalty wavers during times of loneliness. As Dallas passion is awakened, she realizes that the only man she really loves is her lawful husband. But before they can attempt to heal the emotional wounds they have inflicted on each other, they must first find a way to survive the political and religious turmoil plaguing the dangerous court of Mary, Queen of Scots. First published in 1983 as Love s Pirate.