Sisters of Castle Leod
Many people know Castle Leod as the Mackenzie stronghold in Gabaldon’s time-slip Outlander series, but the castle has a factual history, a part of which is explored in Bernard’s novel. Sibell Mackenzie was in her teens when, upon her father’s death, she became Countess of Cromartie in the 1890s. The entirety of titles and wealth reverted to her, causing contention and frustration with her sister, Constance.
Their mother’s remarriage shocks the girls and, with family members pushing for Sibell’s marriage, the responsibility of duty weighs heavily—towards her sister, her father’s memory and towards her tenants and crofters. As is often the case, the sisters are from opposite ends of the spectrum. Sibell is steadfast, loyal, writes romance novels, is superstitious, and fascinated by reincarnation (after the death of her two-week old daughter) and the supernatural, which she believes to be grounded in ancient wisdom. Her claim to have a Phoenician spirit-guide is interestingly fleshed out in the novel. Conversely, the supremely athletic Constance is stunningly beautiful, flirty, gregarious, and a flamboyant spender who draws people like moths to a flame.
I really enjoyed this book. Bernard’s style is descriptive without being pretentious as she explores what we know of the sisters’ relationship, including thoughtful explanations for outrageous behavior, such as Constance’s insistence upon dancing half-naked and barefoot in public, which got her struck from the ‘royal list’ for her troubles! There’s an eerie similarity to Elizabeth and Margaret―the former’s obligation to duty and responsibility and the latter’s flair and flashy joie-de-vivre, at least that which she showed the world. I love the way Bernard dips in and out of events in the sisters lives without overwhelming the narrative with too much information, which she sometimes then layers over several sections. This is TV costume drama material and comes well recommended.
