My Gallant Enemy

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY JUL 1, 1990

In her debut novel, a sensual romance set in 13th-century England, Becnel treads the well-worn path from lovers' obligatory battle of wills to predictable reconciliation. Despite some lame intrigue, the tale remains primarily a demonstration that sexual subjugation (by the right man) marks a woman's first step on the road to happiness. At age 14, Lady Lilliane of Orrick was betrothed to Corbett of Colchester, but when Corbett's father was found murdered after a quarrel with Lilliane's father, Lord Barton, the two houses became enemies and Corbett followed King Edward on the Crusades. Years later, the knight unexpectedly returns to claim Lilliane as his wife, invoking the old contract in order to acquire Orrick. Lilliane's outrage and attempted flight fail to prevent the marriage, as Lord Barton agrees to Corbett's demands. Although hero and heroine develop an immediate and heated rapport in bed, mutual suspicions--particularly those surrounding Lilliane's onetime suitor, William of Dearne, Corbett's real reasons for wanting Orrick and the nature of his business as King Edward's man--must be dispelled before the two reach the standard rosy ending.