Sue-Ellen Welfonder, Until the Knight Comes

Until the Knight Comes

Sue-Ellen Welfonder

Warner, June 2006, $6.50

ISBN: 0446617296

In 1344, Mariota Macnicol catches her lover Hugh Alesone with another woman, the alewife Elizabeth Patterson. However, before she can confront him she finds him also dead. Elizabeth takes Mariota's knife from her while the woman is in shock and plunges it into Hugh's heart. She next slaps Mariota in the face making it seem like a struggle ensued. Then she climbs out of the window where Hugh left an exit carved onto the walls like steps. Hugh's men catch Mariota and assume she killed their liege, so they lock her away in the dungeon.

Mariota's friend Nessa helps her escape. They flee to currently empty Cuidrach keep, but not long after their arrival the new Keeper of Cuidrach Kenneth Mackenzie and his men arrive. Kenneth and Mariota vowed never to marry as neither trusts the opposite sex. However, as they battle one another, and even more their growing attraction to each other, the past shows up putting their relationship in jeopardy.

Sue-Ellen Welfonder's latest Knight tale is a fun fourteenth century romance starring two individuals afraid of commitment falling in love. Mariota is a fascinating protagonist who was framed, but that is irrelevant as the victim's men figure case closed. Kenneth is her ideal counterpart as he has no interest in a wife, yet finds he admires and desires Mariota. Though the plot device has been used before, readers will enjoy this solid historical starring two never me in love individuals falling for one another.