The two, plot wise, are somewhat similar, so I couldn't help comparing them. In this book, however, there was far too much historical exposition. It overshadowed the plot in a few places, and I got really tired of it, even though I love history. Lynx De Warenne fights for King Edward. To better secure Edward's position in Scotland, Lynx is given control of Dumfries Castle.
Lynx is a warrior whose sole wish is to have an heir.
His mistress does not seem to want to bestow one on him, so Lynx decides it must be time to marry. An opportunity arises when he meets his steward, Jock Leslie. Jock has ten children and a plethora of grandchildren, and luckily, his youngest daughter Jane is not yet spoken for. It's decided that Lynx and Jane will follow the Scottish custom of handfasting. The custom says that a couple will marry for a year and a day, and if they suit, they will marry formally when the year is up.