Berkley Books 1993, 2004, 2005
ISBN-10: 0-425-20659-9
ISBN-13: 978-0425206591
For My Lady’s Heart
Ruck, the mysterious Green Knight, and his emerald be-decked Princess Melanthe: a powerful, devious woman desperate to reach refuge, and a knight—a true knight who never wavered once he swore his heart, a man who could not comprehend deceit.
This is the prequel to my 2004 release, Shadowheart, which tells the story of Allegreto the young assassin.
Special Edition (printed in 2004 and later) has an author explanation of Middle English grammar and glossary.
Note from LK: unfortunately at the moment For My Lady’s Heart is only available in Print-On-Demand at a ridiculously high price, for which I apologize. I have no control over this, but I’m attempting to address the situation with the publisher.
Discuss this bookSetting:
Medieval England, 14th Century
Mascot Animal:
Gryngolet, a gyrfalcon
Laura's Comment:
Some ten years ago, I read a medieval poem full of color and adventure and knights and mysterious ladies. It opened an unknown world to me, a place of wild dangerous forests and white castles, of mud and glorious spectacle, a time when blackbirds really were baked in pies. To do justice to that world, I wove the music of their own medieval words into the dialogue. My favorite response was from a reader who wrote that, at first, she had been a bit dubious about the Middle English, but by the end of the book, she was wondering why the man on the six o’clock news didn’t talk that way!
I was determined to make my characters’ words clear and understandable in the text, even though readers might never have come across them before. But in later editions (2004 and after) of For My Lady’s Heart, I’ve added a glossary, so that you can be certain of their meanings if you have any doubt. In compiling it, I enjoyed revisiting that world and realizing again how much history and how many shades of meaning stand behind the words we have forgotten and the words we still use. If you are having a little trouble with the rhythm of Middle English words, just sound them out phonetically. Sometimes you’ll hear the echo of the modern word that’s come down to us today!
As I wrote about Ruck and Melanthe, a shadow-figure appeared in their story: Allegreto, the young assassin who served his father’s cruel ambitions. By the time I reached the end, I knew that I must eventually give Allegreto his due. Many readers wrote to ask for his story. It took me a long time, but Shadowheart was finally published in 2004. It is dark and beautiful—like Allegreto himself—and I hope you will be as fascinated by his elusive and compelling character as I was.
In order to clarify some of the background and family relationships between the two books, I have made some very minor additions to For My Lady’s Heart, but no alterations to the language or the story itself.
Recognition:
Romance Writers of America Rita Award—Finalist, Best Long Historical Romance of 1993
Laura's Fave Review:
“In many of Kinsale’s romances, it is the hero who is supremely tortured, but in For My Lady’s Heart , it is Melanthe who desperately needs to be saved: saved from her persecutors, the houses of Riata and Navona, who are determined to get the Monteverde holdings by hook or by crook; saved from the bitter memories of her past; and ultimately saved from herself….Ruck is the perfect hero to redeem her - honorable to a fault, bound to a rigid code of chivalry, gentle and kind. He may have lived celibate for thirteen years, but he more than makes up for it with his vivid imagination. The love scenes were both touching and funny - and really made me laugh about the side-effects of confession and the detailed questions of nosy priests, who unwittingly taught Ruck quite a bit about love-making!”
All About Romance
Old Covers:
Inside of original step-back
[1] Posted by laura kinsale on 01.08.2010
Please feel welcome to discuss this book. All opinions are welcome, positive or negative, but civility and polite language are required for comments to remain. Political or religious references are not allowed, unless directly related to the book under discussion. I do answer questions but I seldom give interpretations about my books or characters, because I enjoy hearing what readers see in them. These comments and discussions replace my old forum at The Terrace. (Note that the spam captcha is an english word interspersed with a number—this may help you tell a letter from a number. If it’s still too hard to see, reload the page for another one.) WARNING: Book discussions may contain spoilers.
[2] Posted by Michael on 01.17.2010
My favorite scene in this book is when Ruck is befuddled as to why Melanthe is sleeping so much, never realizing its the first time in her life that she’s ever trusted someone to watch over her while she sleeps. A truly wonderful, and funny, character moment.
[3] Posted by Rachel on 01.18.2010
I really liked that as well! Very illuminating of both characters for the reader.
Sort of around that time, when they were “tenting” it, she threw sand at him. Later, when he remembered that - along with a few of her other childish moments - I was also touched by him trying to parse out her contradictory behavior. For someone that was so practiced at hiding his true self I don’t think it would ever occur to him that someone might have to hide their true nature. In fact, I wonder if that ever became something he understood.
[4] Posted by Mary on 01.18.2010
For My Lady’s Heart has been my favorite book since I first read it and I have read it many times since. Of course I like to think about it and when I learned about William the Marshall (1146-1219), who was famous in his time for being the most perfect knight – chivalrous, honorable, and an excellent warrior, I realized Ruck is his literary equivalent. Ruck, like the Marshall, has a sturdy body and robust constitution, unquestioning belief in honor and religion, and undefeated warrior skills. Ruck, also like the Marshall, supported himself for many years by competing in tournaments and never lost a match. Did you think of William the Marshall when you created Ruck?
[5] Posted by Rachel on 01.18.2010
I’m not sure if it’s bad form to mention another author in these discussions (please tell me if it is:) but a British author (historical fiction/romance) recently wrote a novel devoted to William Marshall and I think it was released stateside last Sept by Sourcebooks (happy coincidence). If it’s alright I’ll come back later and post title and author. I haven’t had a chance to read it yet but I like her other books.
[6] Posted by laura kinsale on 01.18.2010
Don’t hesitate to mention other books and authors in the discussions. I do ask that we always conduct ourselves when posting as if we’re speaking to someone directly (because you never know, we may be!)
[7] Posted by Rachel on 01.19.2010
Ok, great! The book is the Greatest Knight by Elizabeth Chadwick. I think she also includes lots of bio and research information at her site but it sounds like you already know a lot about William Marshal. :)
[8] Posted by Mary on 01.23.2010
Thanks for the info - I will look for it. The book I just finished is William Marshall by David Crouch if you are interested in his biography.
[9] Posted by Rachel on 02.04.2010
Thanks, Mary! I’m always interested in stuff like this. In the same vein I found my copy of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight which I’ve been wanting to re-read since the last time I re-read FMLH. I love when one book evokes another; for the re-reading fun and because then I start to look at the two books together and get more out of my readings.
[10] Posted by eKathy28 on 04.06.2010
In the ackknowledgments: I wept for every “arn’ and “ert” and “hopande” that wenten, forsooth by cause and our moder tonge mei maken swich lufflych layes, and gets inside your head and sings.”
It sang for days after reading this and I found myself want to say getten and adding en to all kinds of verb, though that was not any kind of English, old or new, just wanting to keep the music going. Haps we should talk like that more. Sigh. Another set of amazing characters from an amazing world of characters. Lufflych.
[11] Posted by Geena on 05.04.2010
This is truely my favourite book that you have ever written. When I first bought this book I was a teenager and found the language difficult to get past and did not finish it. Fast forward a couple of years later and I (finally matured) picked it up off my shelf again. I didn’t put it down until I was finished. I cried and fell in love with both Ruck and Melanthe. I love that she is the one that is flawed and imperfect. I have read it again several times and love it thoroughly. Thanks for providing a great story.
[12] Posted by laura kinsale on 05.05.2010
I’m so glad you gave it a second chance, Geena. Sometimes the language is a stumbling block until a reader just relaxes and doesn’t try to “understand” every word. Then they find that they do, because the spelling in almost phonetic.
