**In Rexanne Becnel’s award-winning debut novel, an innocent noblewoman is forced to honor a betrothal agreement with a ruthless warrior who is her family’s most bitter enemy **
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Lady Lilliane was betrothed to Corbett of Colchester at the age of fourteen, long before their families became sworn enemies. Years later, Corbett unexpectedly turns up to claim his beautiful bride and, by contract, her valuable dowry: Castle Orrick. Suspecting some royal intrigue lies behind Corbett’s sudden desire for this marriage, Lilliane vows she will never lie in his bed. But what fate awaits Lilliane—and all England—if she resists him? And what darker fate if she surrenders?
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### From Publishers Weekly
In her debut novel, a sensual romance set in 13th-century England, Becnel treads the well-worn path from lovers' obligatory battle of wills to predictable reconciliation. Despite some lame intrigue, the tale remains primarily a demonstration that sexual subjugation (by the right man) marks a woman's first step on the road to happiness. At age 14, Lady Lilliane of Orrick was betrothed to Corbett of Colchester, but when Corbett's father was found murdered after a quarrel with Lilliane's father, Lord Barton, the two houses became enemies and Corbett followed King Edward on the Crusades. Years later, the knight unexpectedly returns to claim Lilliane as his wife, invoking the old contract in order to acquire Orrick. Lilliane's outrage and attempted flight fail to prevent the marriage, as Lord Barton agrees to Corbett's demands. Although hero and heroine develop an immediate and heated rapport in bed, mutual suspicions--particularly those surrounding Lilliane's onetime suitor, William of Dearne, Corbett's real reasons for wanting Orrick and the nature of his business as King Edward's man--must be dispelled before the two reach the standard rosy ending.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
### Review
“A love story of old to thrill and delight. Much intrigue and an awesome, arrogant, but loveable hero and a lady who turned his heart upside down.” —*Affaire de Coeur*
“Sensitive, realistic and passionate, *My Gallant Enemy* is a delicious medieval love story. Rexanne Becnel is sure to take her place in the ranks of well-loved medieval romance writers.” —*RT Book Reviews*
Description:
**In Rexanne Becnel’s award-winning debut novel, an innocent noblewoman is forced to honor a betrothal agreement with a ruthless warrior who is her family’s most bitter enemy ** ** ** Lady Lilliane was betrothed to Corbett of Colchester at the age of fourteen, long before their families became sworn enemies. Years later, Corbett unexpectedly turns up to claim his beautiful bride and, by contract, her valuable dowry: Castle Orrick. Suspecting some royal intrigue lies behind Corbett’s sudden desire for this marriage, Lilliane vows she will never lie in his bed. But what fate awaits Lilliane—and all England—if she resists him? And what darker fate if she surrenders? ** ### From Publishers Weekly In her debut novel, a sensual romance set in 13th-century England, Becnel treads the well-worn path from lovers' obligatory battle of wills to predictable reconciliation. Despite some lame intrigue, the tale remains primarily a demonstration that sexual subjugation (by the right man) marks a woman's first step on the road to happiness. At age 14, Lady Lilliane of Orrick was betrothed to Corbett of Colchester, but when Corbett's father was found murdered after a quarrel with Lilliane's father, Lord Barton, the two houses became enemies and Corbett followed King Edward on the Crusades. Years later, the knight unexpectedly returns to claim Lilliane as his wife, invoking the old contract in order to acquire Orrick. Lilliane's outrage and attempted flight fail to prevent the marriage, as Lord Barton agrees to Corbett's demands. Although hero and heroine develop an immediate and heated rapport in bed, mutual suspicions--particularly those surrounding Lilliane's onetime suitor, William of Dearne, Corbett's real reasons for wanting Orrick and the nature of his business as King Edward's man--must be dispelled before the two reach the standard rosy ending. Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. ### Review “A love story of old to thrill and delight. Much intrigue and an awesome, arrogant, but loveable hero and a lady who turned his heart upside down.” —*Affaire de Coeur* “Sensitive, realistic and passionate, *My Gallant Enemy* is a delicious medieval love story. Rexanne Becnel is sure to take her place in the ranks of well-loved medieval romance writers.” —*RT Book Reviews*