Heroines

How far can a heroine be pushed before she breaks? I have read so many historical where the heroine didn't break. She was pushed to the brink, and then pulled back. Of course, I would never betray my book's fans by having her break for real. However, I did plan a wonderful breather after her 'disheartening experience' which she would always remember fondly as 'one of the most pleasant times of my life.'

I was captivated by the story of Henry's fifth wife, Catherine Howard, a German princes, who believed that she could be pregnant because "my husband kisses my hand and wishes me good night, and then kisses my hand in the morning - is that not enough?" What amazed me more was that she was over 20 years old when she married.

I was facinated by the fact that women would not understand about sex, and how easily many of them were toyed with and mislead to believe the things men told them. I thought that it would be a fitting twist in the story if our heroine believes she is barren, only to learn that she her first husband had never consummated their marriage. To this end, I also arranged the marriage that was arranged by Mary I of England between a Northern Lord who was loyal to her religion, and the 13 1/2 year old countess whose family died of the plague.

This child entered marriage with no understanding of a woman's rights, power, passion, or duty.