Isabelle of Langston has been running the lands since her father died, but the new king has rewarded his longtime friend with the demesne and the daughter. A rather happy marriage follows but all does not go well. Hugh is ensorcelled and 'Belle from Hell' (or so they call her) goes after him, assisted only by an apprentice falconer. Yes, it is as far-fetched and outrageous as anything, but Bertrice Small books are a delicious hoot. And sometimes, in life, one must hoot. There is improbable lovemaking and mind-blowingly stupid behavior from intelligent characters, but one just has to embrace in admiration this talented author who teaches you a fair bit of history even as she finds the Nip/Tuck-ness of the 15th century. Who knew?