The characters in Malcolm s Honor could sure use a little of that kind of trust. It s hard to imagine a story with more distrust, betrayal, and treachery. Nobody ever believes somebody might actually be acting from good intentions. Everyone is willing to believe the worst of motives of every other character. The hero and heroine exchange more insults than kisses.
Villains throw out accusations right and left that are accepted without question.
It s all pretty exhausting, and it overwhelms the romance aspect of the story. Lady Elinore of Evenbough is accompanying her father, the baron, and a small party of knights as they head for the coast. She is reluctant to accept that her father has committed treason and is fleeing for his life. The small company encounters another band of knights led by the fearsome Malcolm le Farouche, Malcolm the Fierce, the king s protector. In the ensuing battle, Malcolm s knights defeat the Evenbough knights and her father is captured.