So Speaks the Heart Book

This seems to be a love it/hate it type of book. I loved it! Rowland had a vulnerability that sets him apart from the typical bodice-ripper alpha.

***Spoilers****

He does rape her once, but it's not brutal or described in detail. He doesn't intend to hurt her, he just thinks it is his right since she's supposedly his slave. Right? No, of course not, but in historical context it is accurate. He believed she was his property and he intended to look after her and protect her. He didn't really understand what her problem was with yielding to him, which was kinda funny at times. After the initial rape, though, he decides he wants to see her smile at him and doesn't want to have to force her. So, he tries to be more gentle and patient with her. He courts her even though he believes she's just a servant. I found it endearing because Rowland was basically a brute who had never been to court or had much experience with "ladies". He was really out of his depth and so dense at times.

There was one scene where she steals a horse & runs away and he finds her and strikes her twice with his belt before realizing he can't stand to hurt her. Normally that would really bother me, but I can see where he was conflicted. He warned her that was what would happen and any other slave would have probably been stripped and flogged without question. Again, historical context. I do not feel Brigitte was actually hurt. She was afraid, appalled, and not used to such treatment, but she didn't have scars, marks, etc. Rowland is even accused by his nasty stepmother of coddling Brigitte, because it is obvious she's unharmed and he's more concerned with assuring her everything is okay and she is safe/forgiven than punishing her for stealing a horse (apparently a death worthy offense).

At some point he begins to suspect that she really is the lady she claims to be, but doesn't want to face that fact. He evens breaks a promise to her to checkout her claim, because he knows deep down she's telling the truth and he is afraid to lose her (just as his father is afraid the truth of his birth will make him lose Rowland). I was able to forgive Rowland his deception because he had never known any love or tenderness and was so afraid of losing her. He did make a lot of stupid moves because he was used to using brute force and taking what he wanted. He also did not believe that a lady would want him, so it was safer for him to live in denial with Brigitte as a 'slave'. However, I think if it had never come out that she was a lady, he would have lived happily faithful with her for the rest of his life anyway. He didn't need her to be a lady to love her or find her acceptable. I believe he would have ended up marrying her one way or the other.