Margaret Mallory, Knight Of Pleasure

Knight Of Pleasure

Margaret Mallory

Forever, Dec 2009, $6.99

ISBN: 9780446553384

In 1417 Lady Isobel Hume does not grieve the death of her spouse as she did not want to marry him when she was just thirteen and dreamed of the Knights of the Round Table; after they exchanged vows her older spouse did nothing to rectify her opinion over the next eight years until he died. However, instead of liberating her, his death leaves her at the mercy of men as the deed to his estate goes to a man she despises. She turns to King Henry who arranges a marriage to a French aristocrat.

Undercover operative Sir Stephen Carleton works in France allegedly to neutralize arguments before they turn ugly. He has been named Isobel's guardian until she marries. To both their chagrin, Isobel and Stephen are attracted to one another. However, both remain loyal to their monarch and ignore their feelings until they rescue two children, and she learns her fianc Lord Roche is a traitor.

This is a terrific fifteenth century romance filled with intrigue and two strong lead characters. Isobel and Stephen know the price is their respective heads if they betray their monarch, but love is a difficult emotion to ignore. Although "eliminating" the fianc with sedition eases their perilous plight, fans will enjoy Margaret Mallory's marvelous medieval romance.

Harriet Klausner