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The Cygnet
Brigand Blood?
Vera, she had called herself, claiming to own no other name. But the sylvan-bred girl before him had an ethereal beauty that whispered of something noble in her past. Something that could save Giles Rathborne from ruin... or send him to the Tower.
Dark-visaged and demanding, Giles, Lord of Rathborne, had need of her help. Mayhap that was so. Vera knew only that he already had her heart. For the lord of the manor had awakened in her a scintillating passion rivaling any intrigue to be found at Elizabeth's glittering court!
Vera, she had called herself, claiming to own no other name. But the sylvan-bred girl before him had an ethereal beauty that whispered of something noble in her past. Something that could save Giles Rathborne from ruin... or send him to the Tower.
Dark-visaged and demanding, Giles, Lord of Rathborne, had need of her help. Mayhap that was so. Vera knew only that he already had her heart. For the lord of the manor had awakened in her a scintillating passion rivaling any intrigue to be found at Elizabeth's glittering court!
- GenresHistorical Romance
300 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1993
33 people want to read
About the author
Marianne Willman
39 books9 followersAka Sabina Clark and Marianne Clark.
Marianne Willman, a former Critical Care Head Nurse, lives in the Great Lakes area with her husband Ky.
She is the founder and First President of the Greater Detroit Chapter of RWA, has served on the Board of Directors of Romance Writers of America, and is a member of Novelists, Inc. and Western Writers of America.
She is the author of sixteen romances, including Pieces of Sky, which has been named one of the ten all-time best western romances by Romantic Times. Pieces of Sky and Yesterday's Shadows both won the prestigious Reviewer's Choice Award from Romantic Times. Marianne is a three-time nominee for the RWA Golden Medallion Award.
Marianne Willman, a former Critical Care Head Nurse, lives in the Great Lakes area with her husband Ky.
She is the founder and First President of the Greater Detroit Chapter of RWA, has served on the Board of Directors of Romance Writers of America, and is a member of Novelists, Inc. and Western Writers of America.
She is the author of sixteen romances, including Pieces of Sky, which has been named one of the ten all-time best western romances by Romantic Times. Pieces of Sky and Yesterday's Shadows both won the prestigious Reviewer's Choice Award from Romantic Times. Marianne is a three-time nominee for the RWA Golden Medallion Award.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 7, 2015
3.5 stars
Vera, an orphan, was raised in the woods with a ragtag group of men during the 1500's. She was taught how to survive like the others. Then Tal, her adopted father and someone concerned about her well-being, sent her to a convent to be taught how to behave like a woman. She was seventeen but it was too little, too late. She escaped and returned 'home'.
Before long, she devised a plan to bring herself back into the good graces with Tal. Instead, she was caught by Sir Giles, Lord of Rathborne. Her life would never be the same.
At heart, Giles belonged to the sea and he wanted to return there. Instead, the title and lands he had inherited had become a weight around his neck. Vera informed him that his steward had ruined his tenants' lives through greed. Giles had a long road to bring everything back into repair.
THE CYGNET referred to a young swan or swanling. Giles needed money and came up with a plan. It involved Vera. He believed she could be a lookalike for one of his rich but lost relations; she just needed to be taught some manners and acquire some polish. If he could pull this off, he could earn some much-needed funds. Vera was forced to help him or he said he would imprison her family.
This story was not simply a romance. The author injected actual history within the plot. Queen Elizabeth, Sir Francis Drake and the Earl of Leicester were some of the characters that were mentioned. Times were tough for everyone. You were never guaranteed to be in favor with the queen.
In some ways the story reminded me of the movie My Fair Lady. Giles was crotchety most of the time and it bothered him. Before, he had never had a problem enticing a woman to become biddable. Vera thought he was poking fun of her and did her best to make his life miserable. There were some funny moments including Giles attempting to teach Vera to walk properly or glide "like a swan". But the part I most enjoyed was when the two were verbally sparring with each other.
I would have given this story five stars except the last quarter of the book felt muddled and somewhat rushed. I liked THE CYGNET; I just wish the author kept up the brisk pace until the end. Oh, and it would have been nice to have an epilogue.
Vera, an orphan, was raised in the woods with a ragtag group of men during the 1500's. She was taught how to survive like the others. Then Tal, her adopted father and someone concerned about her well-being, sent her to a convent to be taught how to behave like a woman. She was seventeen but it was too little, too late. She escaped and returned 'home'.
Before long, she devised a plan to bring herself back into the good graces with Tal. Instead, she was caught by Sir Giles, Lord of Rathborne. Her life would never be the same.
At heart, Giles belonged to the sea and he wanted to return there. Instead, the title and lands he had inherited had become a weight around his neck. Vera informed him that his steward had ruined his tenants' lives through greed. Giles had a long road to bring everything back into repair.
THE CYGNET referred to a young swan or swanling. Giles needed money and came up with a plan. It involved Vera. He believed she could be a lookalike for one of his rich but lost relations; she just needed to be taught some manners and acquire some polish. If he could pull this off, he could earn some much-needed funds. Vera was forced to help him or he said he would imprison her family.
This story was not simply a romance. The author injected actual history within the plot. Queen Elizabeth, Sir Francis Drake and the Earl of Leicester were some of the characters that were mentioned. Times were tough for everyone. You were never guaranteed to be in favor with the queen.
In some ways the story reminded me of the movie My Fair Lady. Giles was crotchety most of the time and it bothered him. Before, he had never had a problem enticing a woman to become biddable. Vera thought he was poking fun of her and did her best to make his life miserable. There were some funny moments including Giles attempting to teach Vera to walk properly or glide "like a swan". But the part I most enjoyed was when the two were verbally sparring with each other.
I would have given this story five stars except the last quarter of the book felt muddled and somewhat rushed. I liked THE CYGNET; I just wish the author kept up the brisk pace until the end. Oh, and it would have been nice to have an epilogue.
July 9, 2018
This was a fantastic book and it was very well written.
March 16, 2010
i never read harlequin novels.. but this was really good( never judge a book by it's cover. seriously) worth the read!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews