When we meet Simon of Beauvallet he is a 14 year old boy, the year is 1400, and the 100 year war is raging. Simon is the bastard son of Geoffrey of Malvallet and as such must make his own way in the world without the status and advantage his father’s station might have conferred. By sheer strength of will Simon manages to join a rival house’s army and through courage and strength rises up the ranks until he knighted by the King himself for his bravery. Through his travels and adventures he meets and becomes fast friends with his half brother, gains lands, but never finds love. Indeed his seeming disinterest in the many women of England who would be his lady gains him the moniker “Simon the Heartless.” But that changes when he lays siege to and takes the French castle in Belremy. There he falls in love with the lady Margaret. But Margaret hates the English invader and Simon, it would seem, has met his match.

Bestselling author Georgette Heyer, the Queen of Regency Romance, introduces the most daring and dashing hero of all. "Mad Nicholas" to his friends, "Scourge of Spain" to his enemies, Sir Nicholas Beauvallet is one of Queen Elizabeth's most dashing buccaneers and has never been known to resist a challenge. When Beauvallet captures the galleon carrying Doña Dominica de Rada y Sylvan and her father, he vows to return them safely to the shores of Spain. But he has no sooner done so than he proposes a venture more reckless than any of his exploits on the high seas—he will return to Spain, where there's a price on his head, and claim Dominica as his bride... Praise for Georgette Heyer and Beauvallet: "Cinematographic with escapes, kidnapping, galloping sword play, and a breathless elopement."—The Times Literary Supplement "Georgette Heyer was one of the great protagonists of the historical novel in the post-war golden age of the form. Her regency romances are delightful light reading, and her historical novels such as The Spanish Bride and An Infamous Army demonstrate how fiction and history can work together to make a valuable literary form."—Philippa Gregory, New York Times bestselling author

In the early 15th century, during the middle of the Hundred Years' War, England and France were fighting for sovereignty over France. It was a time of hand-to-hand combat, the invention of the longbow, and real knights in armor. Simon Beauvallet was born in 1386, the illegitimate son of Geoffrey of Malvallet. After his mother's death in 1400, he and his half-brother, the legitimate son and heir of his father, became great friends of the Prince, fighting against France. Known for his silence and nicknamed "the Coldheart," Simon nonetheless loved children and had a complex and deep personality. After the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, he was sent to besiege Belremy, where he met the lady, Margaret, who eventually surrendered to the English and became his bride. "She makes the knightly days live again." —Boston Evening Transcript "An outstanding storyteller." —The Times Literary Supplement

'Instead of the Thorn' is one of Georgette Heyer’s early novels. It follows Elizabeth Arden, a young woman raised by a cold, distant father and a prim, proper aunt. Unsurprisingly Elizabeth comes of age with no sense of how to make her way in the world or what will make her happy. At a young age she marries a man she does not love and embarks on a life that does not fulfill her. Her wedding night on her marriage is a complete disaster. After a time she separates from her husband and tries to make her way in the world. To start she is little more than a spoiled girl, but as the book unfolds Elizabeth struggles to become her own person and is surprised by just who she is and what she wants. A thoroughly satisfying novel.

"Lively, amusing...done to a turn!"—Kirkus Reviews A fateful mistake... When Elinor Rochdale boards the wrong coach, she ends up not at her prospective employer's home but at the estate of Eustace Cheviot, a dissipated and ruined young man on the verge of death. A momentous decision... His cousin, Mr Ned Carlyon, persuades Elinor to marry Eustace as a simple business arrangement. By morning, Elinor is a rich widow, but finds herself embroiled with an international spy ring, housebreakers, uninvited guests, and murder. And Mr Carlyon won't let her leave ... What readers are saying about The Reluctant Widow "Delightful and purely entertaining. The plot involves comedy, intrigue, espionage, cloaks and daggers, and things going bump in the night - served with a sauce of witty repartee that is the Heyer hallmark. Unforgettable." "One of my favorites!" "A delightfully funny and mysterious romp." "Reading Georgette Heyer is the next best thing to reading Jane Austen." — Publisher's Weekly

Lord Roxhythe is a patriot. He loves his king and his county . . . in that order with an undying passion. When faced with a mission for his king King Charles that many would quaver at accepting Roxhythe accepts without hesitation. While those around him question if what is good for Charles is indeed good for England Roxhythe does not. He is a royalist of a different age. Masterfully written with cutting dialog and dazzling prose. Full intrigue adventure and rich details of the time and place. A must read for all Georgette Heyer fans.