My last classic for the month
is one from the late 70s, the first book of a great author of historical
romances.
This is the story of Heather,
a girl of low birth, born in the time of Cromwell and living in the time of Charles
II. It begins in 1650 when her mother, a simple but chaste young woman, is
raped by some ruffians in Cromwell’s army. Heather, the daughter she gave birth
to from that horrible night, became the joy of her life—her only joy. Ellen
fled to London where no one would know of her tragedy only to fall under the
coach of the Marquis de la Dunban when Heather was two. Heather became the ward
and servant of the marquis to be raised with his son, David.
Heather grows into a
beautiful young woman, educated with David, who she comes to love. But one of
David’s friends, Captain Nicholas Guyon, lusts after Heather and decides he
will have her for his mistress. It seems a keyword of this story is betrayal.
Guyon betrays the marquis, Heather is betrayed by them all and survives many
tragedies and, dare I say it, more than one rape. Byer keeps you turning pages
wanting to know just how it will come out. But what Heather suffers in the
Tower of London was, I have to say it, over the top.
All comes out in the end
because this is romance but oh my, the ride is a rough one.
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