Another
great story from McAllister, this one about a gypsy who isn’t a gypsy and a
British soldier who is more than a spy… set in the mid 19th century during the Crimean War on the Crimean Peninsula
in the Black Sea and then in Moscow.
The story
begins in the Caucasus Mountains as a baby is left in the woods to be rescued
by a gypsy, Tzigane, who raises it as her own. Around the baby’s neck hangs a
huge diamond. Tzigane names the baby April for the month in which she found it.
April has blonde hair but grows up among the gypsies, wielding a knife with the
best of them.
As a young
woman, April passes through Constantinople with her gypsy family and encounters
Damien Cross, who she does not know is the Earl of Devonshire. Damien helps her
out of a jam, all the while noticing how aristocratic the young woman appears.
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| Original cover |
In 1854 (or
thereabouts), April is now 17 when Nicabar, a horse trader from Spain, living
with the gypsies, covets April’s horse, a magnificent black stallion—and he
covets April. When he attempts to rape her, she cuts his face. In the gypsy
trial that follows, Damien shows up, now a spy for the British in the Crimean
War, and the gypsy king makes him the judge over the matter. Damien awards Nicabar
her horse for the damage she did to his face and Damien decides she should be
wed. The gypsy king agrees… even when Damien, wanting a good cover for his
spying, suggests himself for April’s husband.
There’s a lot of intrigue and
treachery in this story as Damien takes April north to Moscow and April’s past and
Damien’s deception come to light. There are some wonderful characters,
including Damien’s French mother, and some exciting scenes.
If you are looking for an
unusual time and an exotic locale, this might be the story for you.
Buy on Amazon.
Great book. Read it years ago. Love Patricia McAllistair's writing.
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