It's the late 1500s and the English and the Spanish are struggling for dominance over the seas. Sir Nicholas Beauvallet is captaining an English ship when he's fired upon by a Spanish galleon. He returns the attack and leads his men to a spectacular victory. But while plundering the ship, Sir Nicholas discovers aboard the beautiful and spirited Dominica, who is traveling with her dying father. Beauvallet treats them well and, at great risk to himself, returns them to Spain—but not before wooing Dominica and vowing to return for her within the year. In turn Dominica is attracted by his honor, courage, and recklessness. Georgette Heyer (died 1974) was a significant literary figure of the 20th century. Their work has endured across generations and continues to be read and studied worldwide. As a work of classic literary fiction, Beauvallet exemplifies the narrative craft and social insight that defined great storytelling of its era. Literary fiction of this period was characterized by careful attention to character psychology, social milieu, and the moral questions that animated public discourse.
