This book tells the story of the illegitimate daughter of the Prince of the Welsh, Rhonwyn uerch Gruffydd. Raised in a Fortress by rough fighting men, Rhonwyn knows little of womanly ways until she is bartered into marriage in a peace deal between her father and the English king. Sent for six months to a nunnery to learn to be a propper wife, Bronwyn does her best to be a good wife to her husband Edward de Beaulieu, despite the marital rape that occurs on their wedding night. Unable to feel passion, she yet feels the slow growth of affection that she hopes will turn to love. She leaps at the chance to go on Crusade with Edward, nursing him devotedly through illness, yet disaster strikes when she is kidnapped and brought as a slave to the Caliph of Cinnebar, whose brother she killed in battle. Enamoured of his fair slave, he soon makes her his second wife and unlocks the secret, a childhood witnessing of her mother's rape, that had kept her frigid and afraid of sexual pleasure. Despite the fierce passion the Caliph unlocks in her, Rhonwyn cannot forget Edward and with her brother's aid, manages to escape. Upon her return to England, however, she is dismayed to find her husband had remarried before she was cold in the grave he thought she had occupied, and his new wife is heavily pregnant. Enraged at his faithlessness, Rhonwyn seeks justice from the king, but is horrified to find that along with the return of her dowry, the king will provide her with a new husband whether she wishes it or not. Edward's cousin Rafe de Beaulieu is attracted by her beauty as much as her dowry, and makes no secret of his desire for her. However, he is wise enough to give her time to accept the changes in her life, as well as the passion that flares white-hot between them. As their friendship grows, so too does love, for Rafe is able to love her for what she is, a passionate, spirited and intelligent woman , and give her space to be herself.
I really enjoyed this book for several reasons. Firstly, it is based on the wonderful epic tale of the life of an amazing woman,who manages to remain true to herself in a man's world. Secondly it is a charming love story,and in Rafe, Rhonwyn finds a man she can love, who loves her, and is also a fantastic lover. Thirdly, the history is well researched,and credible - I am so tired of reading books by lazy authors who skimp on basic research such as the use of tittles and blatant disregard for the social customs of the day. This story works with, rather than against, them. A cracking good read!