Secret Song

Worn-out plot elements make for an enervated conclusion to Coulter's ( Earth Song ) Song trilogy, set in the 13th century. Damon Le Mark's niece Daria de Fortescue is kidnapped on the way to her wedding: the kidnapper, Edmond of Clare, demands her dowry or he will rape her. Damon employs Roland de Tournay to recover the maid--provided she still is one. If not, says Damon to the rescuer, you can kill her. Roland poses as a priest to gain entrance to Clare's castle. Daria knocks Edmond out cold when he tries to ravish her, and Roland smuggles her out. Distrusting the unscrupulous Damon's motives, Roland decides to stash the young woman in Wales for temporary safekeeping but falls ill en route. Daria's ministrations include climbing into bed with her delirious protector, and she finds herself pregnant by a man who denies he's the father. Seeking assistance against Edmond, who is pursuing him, Roland approaches the king and queen of England; they take pity on Daria and urge Roland to marry her, blithely trusting that the reluctant bride and sulky groom will muddle their way to marital bliss--as, of course, they do. (Feb.)