This was the first Mary Stewart novel I ever read way back when.It had either been a Woman's Hour reading or a serial and I found a copy in a second hand shop. It was one of the first grown up books I had read and seemed to me to be the last word in sophistication. Although I have revisited it, I haven't read it for many years.

What a delight! It is, I suppose, a little dated in some of its attitudes, but the strength of the story and the characterization easily outweigh these minor flaws. It has all the ingredients of a true romance: a feisty heroine of strong principles emerging from poverty; a child for her to protect; a wildly romantic chateau as a setting; a diabolically charming chief villain; and two possible heroes, one strong, blond, noble Englishman and a dark saturnine Frenchman who may or may not be as devilish as his father.These may sound like stereotypes, I would say rather that they are the prototypes on which most characters of modern romances have been based, but unlike most prototypes they are fully developed and engaging.

I have now decided to reread all Mary Stewart's books. It was so pleasing to read a well made story that was literate and educated without being pretentious.

If you have not read any of her books you have such a treat in store!