I was waiting for a ferry on the Isle of Wight when I saw a red-headed man. He was icy eyed and his face was really all crags and cheekbones. Perfect hero material! He was in black leather and perched on a motorcyle. A moment later, he dipped his head and brushed a kiss on the cheek of the little woman sitting on the motorcycle with him. I hadn't noticed her until then. She wasn't very noticeable -- until he kissed her. Then she blushed, ducked her head, and became incandescent. And my whole book had to change to accomodate my new heroine: Mary Monk.

I found out who the famous model who posed for the cover was. And I don't think it looks like him -- it's clearly Gideon. I dont' know how he did it, but the artist captured Gideon exactly as I saw him -- although with the leathers and the motorcycle, of course. Want to guess who the cover model was?

*****

Our hero is a Royalist. Apart from philosophical reasons, confess - they really did dress better, didn't they? Give me a snappy dresser every time!

And I've never forgiven Cromwell for slighting so many castles - in every sense of the word. But even broken, they are beautiful and inspiring. Take a look at some of my favorites, without even having to book passage.