Everlasting follows the fortunes of Abrielle Harrington, a beautiful young woman whose fiancé died by falling down the stairs at his
keep a day before the wedding. Abrielle's mother, Elspeth, and stepfather, Vachel, have unfortunately fallen upon hard times and are virtually penniless. The heir to Abrielle's late fiancé, Desmond de Marlé, has conceived a passion for her and wants her; unfortunately, Abrielle finds him repulsive. Since he inherited the de Marlé Keep, the serfs have been badly treated and half-starved.
The only person who interests Abrielle is Raven Seabern, but he's a Scot so not appropriate for her, especially as he doesn't seem particularly interested in her, just seems to watch her. In the end, in order to save the family from penury, Abrielle agrees to marry Desmond de Marlé and counsels her stepfather to arrange the biggest payment possible for her - which he does.
Abrielle seems rather bad news as a potential wife. Her first fiancé died on the eve of the wedding, her second lasts slightly longer, but all too soon Abrielle is on her own again, this time with a great deal of money and suitors flocking round her, as well as those who would do her evil trying to get at her. Throughout all this, Raven Seabern is a constant, often rescuing her or protecting her, yet Abrielle doubts his motives. Can a Scotsman and a Saxon woman ever get along?
The writing style of this book is simple, with light descriptions of places and events, no very deep characterization, and a plot that
is never very taxing. It's always easy to spot the 'baddies' as they smell or have rotting teeth or are fat; the 'goodies' are always attractive, clean, lean and with good teeth! The story is really a collection of events including kidnappings, sieges and rescues, through which Abrielle learns to trust Raven. It's a pleasant enough read, but nothing special.