Plot/Setting Ondine (novel)

1 plot/setting

1.1 historical setting
1.2 prologue
1.3 part i, ondine
1.4 part ii, countess of north lambria game played
1.5 part iii, duchess of rochester full circle
1.6 epilogue

plot/setting
historical setting

the novel begins in 1678 during reign of charles ii of england.

prologue

to settle land dispute, lord warwick chatham jousts in charles ii’s court against lord hardgrave, long-standing enemy. warwick wins battle , walks stream drink of water. here, first sees ondine, though unsure if real. later in quarters, warwick refuses advances of lady anne fenton. then, wife, genevieve, comes him because had nightmare warwick’s grandmother, met suspicious death. warwick assures protect her, yet late save falls window later. warwick convinced murdered, charles ii believes committed suicide. year later, warwick traveling home in north lambria when meets death procession. after asking coachman, jake, if true woman can saved gallows if takes in marriage, tells him follow procession.

part i, ondine

warwick not recognize ondine woman saw in water year before. ondine on way hanged poaching animal on lord’s property. in last minutes of life, ondine regrets not find traitor killed father , would’ve killed had not run away. thinks true when warwick saves ondine hangman’s rope marrying her. thought of leaving him, after trying escape once, realizes being warwick’s wife can provide protection needs devise plan clear father’s name. through constant bickering warwick, able play part of wife in front of brother , servants. ondine is, however, plagued nightmares of father’s death hands of step uncle, william, , cousin, raoul, threatened incriminate if did not marry raoul. frustrated new husband’s lack of communication family history. learns grandmother rumored have been murdered grandfather’s mistress. later, discovers mathilda daughter of grandfather’s affair, , clinton mathilda’s son. warwick dismisses ondine’s temper , frustrations. tells pregnant hoping lure out wife’s killer. ondine knows else going on after hears voice whispering name in bedchamber. overshadowing fear prospect of going court warwick because not want recognized traitor. despite bickering, warwick , ondine both see glimpses of in each other , falling in love.

part ii, countess of north lambria game played

ondine’s fear of going king charles ii’s court unfounded. charles ii , have moment alone, informs believes innocent of treason , encourages play warwick’s game return home clear father’s name. plays game warwick’s dismay. becomes jealous of attention giving king, while becomes jealous of lady anne’s attention warwick. mutual feelings of frustration result in consummating marriage. once in chatham manor, ondine attacked hooded figure in mask , pushed family tomb. not sure whom suspect, warwick plans trip court lure out killer. anne , lord hardgrave reveal truth of warwick , ondine’s marriage, warwick gives loving speech has enchanted, not revolted, love story. on outing, ondine snatched away pirates. suspects anne , lord hardgrave, there no proof. after saving ondine, warwick rushes chatham manor , announces divorcing ondine , sending away next morning. ondine confused warwick’s actions because doesn’t know loves , pushing away protect her. night, mathilda drugs ondine , attempts hang herself , ondine right history of family quiet ghosts haunt mind. succeeds in killing herself, warwick arrives in time save ondine. warwick has changed mind sending ondine away, doesn’t know this. ondine leaves next morning home in rochester try clear father’s name.

part iii, duchess of rochester full circle

ondine returns home, deauveau place, in hopes of finding forged papers incriminate , father. step uncle, william, wary of her, raoul pleased see her. ondine agrees wed raoul in 1 month. in meantime, warwick has visited charles ii , learned truth of ondine s secret. warwick plans find way stay close ondine, , charles ii says plan visit deauveau place well. night ondine searches william s study doesn t find anything. after becoming violently ill twice in 1 night, realizes carrying warwick s child. @ nearby tavern, warwick, clinton, justin, , jake inquire deauveau place. learn william looking blacksmith. warwick decides apply position. clinton , justin return court see if can find witnesses ondine s father s death, , jake stay @ tavern see more can learn. ondine continues search documents no luck. knowing william wants physician examine her, ondine tells raoul while gone had married peasant. knowing has bought herself time, breathes easier until warwick visits in room night, , renewed fear danger presents both of them being there. things escalate rapidly after william discovers ondine pregnant. anne overhears clinton , justin speaking witness ondine s father s murder, , , lord hardgrave set in motion plan pay william ondine anne may have warwick herself. hardgrave, however, plans kill warwick. jake witnesses meeting @ tavern , able warn warwick. on day supposed happen, ondine meets warwick may leave together. raoul walks in on them embrace , shoots warwick. william takes ondine hardgrave approaches. hardgrave goes see warwick s corpse himself. warwick, however, not dead, , duel. warwick kills hardgrave. in meantime, ondine has escaped william , ran woods. raoul, warwick, , william follow. justin , clinton arrive , follow well. raoul refuses fight warwick, william kills own son; then, warwick kills william , takes ondine home recover. king arrives, , ondine learns witness has come forward clear father s name. chatham men , king go tavern anne staying, , king forces marry governor on remote caribbean island.

epilogue

some months later, warwick , ondine welcome baby boy world.