Uncertain Love, Uncommon Valor Book

"An indecent proposal" woulda been a more apt title. This sequel to "Secret Thunder" (we get to see Luke & Faithe too w/ their 3 kids) features Luke's younger bro'. Alex & Luke are sponsoring their nephew's knighthood @ Tour de Rouen, Normandy. To his consternation, his cousin, Milo & his wife, Nicolette (Alex's former flame), are also in attendance. Even tho' Milo is only 10 years older than him, he's now a frail & emaciated alcoholic, who relies on Gaspar, his apothecary castellan cum caretaker. He's also in dire straits. W/in the next 15 months, he & Nicki must produce a male heir - per Nicki's late uncle's decree - or they'll lose their home to the church. Alas, Milo's born in an era where the potent Viagra has not been invented yet, so the best solution he can come up w/, is to ask Alex to be the sperm donor, the ol' fashioned way. W/out Nicki's knowledge, he desperately wants Alex to seduce, impregnate Nicki & leave the child behind. Family resemblance is a big factor, even if people will question the improbability, after 9 years of barren matrimony. He guilt-trips Alex that there are only 2 other options if Alex refuses (which he does initially). Gaspar has volunteered to do the deeds & w/out Nicki's consent if necessary (w/ his apothecary skills, he can concoct a sleeping draught & tamper w/ Nicki's wine). Nicki wants to try the last option, which is to appeal to the church to appoint them as stewards when the church takes over the title of Peverell. Milo is against this idea 'cuz the chances are slim to none, knowing the Father Octavian has an aversion to women in general (he goes to Clay Aiken's church if U catch my drift). Alex points out that Milo's diabolical plan has more gaping holes than a Swiss cheese. What if Nicki fails to produce the requisite heir & has a baby gal ? That would defeat the purpose, wouldn't it ? Milo's plan B: Well, if worse comes to worst, they'll just have to buy a baby boy & claim Nicki has twins. Problem solved. Alex is not swayed by Milo's dishonorable scheme. Milo knows that Alex - the lone wolf - is renowned for sticking to his vows once made. He keeps badgering @ Alex's resistance & finally succeeds 'cuz Alex begins to notice the disturbingly improper way Gaspar has been ogling Nicki. Might as well be him than Gaspar. Besides, the flame that he thought had been put out 4ever, is re-kindled the more he spends time w/ her.

Thru' flashbacks (shoulda been titled "The Young & The Landless"), we get a glimpse of what really happened between Alex & Nicki. 9 years ago, Alex & Nicki (2 yrs older than Alex) were in luv, had chaste clandestine meetings @ their enchanted cave. Their idyllic encounters crashed to an end when Nicki & Milo were betrothed w/out advance notice & a hasty wedding ensued due to Nicki's uncle, who's terminally ill. Heartbroken, Alex beseeched Nicki to run away w/ him, but he neglected to propose 'cuz he's landless. Nicki opted to forsake her luv for Alex. Ironically, Milo's in luv w/ another unsuitable gal too, Violette, who'd born Milo a child, so the question of his infertility is moot, proving he's capable of siring offspring. Nicki also had a secret of her own that she'd never divulged to Alex. Gaspar (who had also proposed to Nicki & been turned down - planting the seeds of hatred & obsession for Nicki) & his 2 minions beat the crap outta Alex, to prevent him from crashing Nicki's wedding (per the executive order from Nicki's mommie dearest). Alex learned his painful lesson & became a hardened soldier who appreciates women as bedsport but not lifemates. In the meantime, Gaspar doesn't sit idle w/ his own plan. Despite his utter distaste, he sacrifices himself to be the object of Father Octavian's deviated inclination, to tip the scales in his favors by officially having his own name on paper as Peverell's steward. Time is running out. The irreversible damage is done. W/ so much history & pent-up bitterness between 'em, can Alex & Nicki find their way to forgive & forget ? Will Nicki adhere to the sanctity of marriage or should she give in to Alex's seduction ?

PR seems to specialize in "Forbidden luv" theme (which is right up my alley), as I've found in her medievals that I've read. Sad to say I only have 1 more left in my TBR pile (Silken Threads). I usually don't like adultery theme but I do make a rare exception once in a blue moon if the execution is well-done (a la 1 of my all-time fav books, Jo Beverley = Secrets of the night - w/ a similar premise of having Brand Malloren impregnate Rosamunde to save her estate, per hubby's prior approval). In this case, I rooted for Alex & Nicki to have their HEA. Luck hasn't been on their side. I thought it's endearing that Alex is illiterate. He genuinely wants to learn how to read & write (no easy feat @ his age), yet is not above using his sessions as a means to weaken Nicki's defenses. Gaspar is really creepy. Both H/H struggle w/ their conscience, knowing there'll be more heartaches even if they succumb to temptation. Their lack of choices (before / after Nicki's marriage), internal & external conflicts were beautifully laid out. They're meant to be together but fate keeps throwing a curve ball @ them. They're flawed & have made regrettable mistakes, but they learned that what doesn't break them, only makes them stronger. Milo also is not the all-around baddie, his bark is worse than his bite. He's consumed w/ his own inner demons for abandoning the true luv of his life. He does realize that he's digging his own grave & is aware of the consequences of his methodical self-destruction but doesn't have the willpower to stop the bleeding. This book may not have an uplifting mood, but I enjoyed it nonetheless thanx to PR's realistic writing. She didn't sugarcoat the unfolding drama & just like in 'Secret Thunder', I sympathized w/ the H/H's plight & felt a sense of relief that all's well in the end. The building tension, predicaments, twists & turns, were suspenseful. "Heaven's fire" is still my fav PR to date, I'm just not a fan of adultery. I'm looking forward to reading 'Silken Threads'.

[ Adultery warning (hide spoiler)]