One of the earlier Georgette Heyer books, this one is not a Regency romance, but a swashbuckling adventure in Elizabethan times. The hero appears to be modeled on the real-life and dashing Sir Francis Drake, who sailed right into Cadiz harbor and "singed King Philip's beard." (in other words, burnt down most of the Spanish fleet). Not that Sir Nick does that, exactly, but I wouldn't put it past him! Dona Domenica is a winsome heroine, both modest and a dutiful daughter, but full of spirit -- no fainting for her! Georgette Heyer is NOT a "romance novelist". She is the "Grande Dame" of historical fiction. I was reading her books about 50 years ago, when I was about 10. No graphic sex scenes, no gory and explicit violence, but lots of very witty humour (yes, spelled the British way!) and non-stop action. A book for the whole family! If you have never read any of her books, this is a good one to start with.
