Richard of Rivaux is the son of Cat and Guy of Rivaux, heir to one of the greatest estates and most powerful families in medieval England and Normandy. He has just betrothed himself to the daughter of a powerful lord, when he meets Gilliane de Lacey, a poor woman far beneath his social class. Richard is capitivated by her. He convinces her to become his mistress.
Gilliane knows that that Richard cannot marry her, but she loves Richard and becomes his leman in order to be with him. But when she gets pregnant, Gilliane decides she does not want to give birth to a bastard child. She leaves Richard abruptly.
Richard is angry about Gilliane's departure but when he is about to get married, he realizes he loves Gilliane so much that he is prepared to risk the anger and censure of others by ending his betrothal. He intends to find Gilliane so he can marry her. But when Richard finally tracks down Gilliane, he discovers that she is married to a lowly knight and has given birth to a daughter.
Gilliane knows that that Richard cannot marry her, but she loves Richard and becomes his leman in order to be with him. But when she gets pregnant, Gilliane decides she does not want to give birth to a bastard child. She leaves Richard abruptly.
Richard is angry about Gilliane's departure but when he is about to get married, he realizes he loves Gilliane so much that he is prepared to risk the anger and censure of others by ending his betrothal. He intends to find Gilliane so he can marry her. But when Richard finally tracks down Gilliane, he discovers that she is married to a lowly knight and has given birth to a daughter.
have read and re-read and wholeheartedly recommend all five books in the series. Anita Mills is an awesome storyteller, especially when it comes to medieval romance. Hearts of Fire pulls you in from the beginning and holds you, like all the books in the series. This series represents the best romance books I've ever read(and I've read thousands). Please, Anita, write more medieval, it's been too long!!
Fiery-haired Gilliane de Lacey was as proud as she was beautiful. She defied the King of England himself when he commanded her to wed a lord she despised. The one man she did want she could not have as a husband. Richard of Rivaux's passion for her had ignited her burning need, but he was honor-bound to wed another. Yet as he defied death to rescue Gilliane from royal wrath ... and as he drew her into the perilous swirl of conflict between England and Normandy, Gilliane and Richard knew that nothing would ever stop them from risking all for love and giving all to desire.
