Born a bastard, Allegreto is a handsomely dark and brooding man. He seeks to claim the birthright he cannot receive unless he can make an alliance with the proper bloodline. Complex and dangerous, he will shrink at nothing to obtain his heart’s desire. And his heart’s desire is the Monteverde Princess - beautiful, strong-willed Elena, who knows nothing of her royal birth. Theirs is the romance every woman
secretly longs for. Filled with passion and intrigue, readers follow their lives through peaks and valleys of treachery.
Elena lives humbly along with her half-sister, Cara, in the forest of Savernake. Cara constantly admonishes Elena to act in a more ladylike fashion. Elena’s godmother, the Countess, Lady Melanthe, demands Elena come to her. Brokenhearted that her first love, Richard, has become betrothed to another, Elena breaks into uncontrollable sobs in her godmother’s presence as she relates her tale of unrequited love.
Her godmother, in wise, kind understanding of Elena’s position, promptly decides to send Elena via ship to the court of King Richard. There, she can practice courtly conduct among her peers and perhaps be introduced to a young man
of noble birth, rather than Knight Richard. On the voyage to King Richard’s court,
her ship is attacked by pirates. She is kidnapped and taken to the castle of Allegretto,
known only as “Raven” or “Pirate” to Elena.
Bestselling author Kinsale draws readers into a truly enchanting story with vibrant,
engaging characters, unfolding a well- developed plot against a rich, historical backdrop.