The Sword And The Swan: Roberta Gellis

If you think this looks like a Middle Ages Mills and Boon, you'd be wrong. This edition of Gellis' books really lets them down, as she knew her history, peopling her stories with accurate descriptions of real people and events. Romance comes well down on her list. Set in England during the reign of King Stephen. Intolerant, bad-tempered Rannulf of Sleaford did not want to marry again. But when King Stephen offers him a beautiful, newly-widowed heiress as rewards for his services in battle, he decides to accept. Catherine knew she had to marry this total stranger if she wished to live. With the deaths of her husband and infant son fresh in her mind, she rebels at the thought. She did not only have to submit to the marriage - she would have to make Rannulf love her.