There’s something to be said for a writer who is able to embed choice bits of humor into her writing. Lynn Kurland takes a period not known for its humor (Chaucer aside) and imbues it with a light-heartedness that makes this version of the Medieval period a lot less dismal than most. From This Moment On is the next in the series begun with This Is All I Ask, the story of Christopher of Blackmour and his lady Gillian.

Two years ago, Alienore of Solonge went on the lam from a fearsome betrothed by stealing her brother’s spurs, mail, and sword. She ended up disguised as the knight “Henri,” in charge of guarding a gluttonous lady soon to be married.

Through a random set of circumstances, Alienore ends up going to Blackmour, where Christopher’s best friend, Colin of Berkhamshire (nicknamed the Butcher of Berkhamshire), the same man Alienore thought she had escaped two years earlier, makes his home. Colin is loutish, uncouth and secretly mortified that every single one of his brides has cried off, one even going so far as to run away before even seeing him. His father insists that he marry, and it seems that only the missing betrothed will do. So, Colin and company (including the distinguished knight “Henri”) are off on a quest to find, yup, Colin’s missing betrothed. Colin takes Henri along because he has grown strangely fond of him; he gives him lessons in swordplay, defends him against a truly nasty knight and makes sure he eats enough. As the group makes its way from England back to France, Colin and Henri become closer until Colin realizes his knight is not the gender that he claims to be. Unlike the rest of the characters, however, he has no clue as who the lady really is.

Colin is an excellently drawn character, a man whose primary reason for living is to indulge in swordplay. He also has great aversion to baths and manners, and he despises those who prey on the weak. He excels only when exhibiting his swordsmanship; when it comes to table manners, courting, conversation and diplomacy, he is dreadful. And even though Colin is endearing in his big-headed luggishness, he is luggish nonetheless. When Alienore is in trouble (which happens a lot throughout the action), he comes to her rescue, and ends up winning her trust. His bluntness, sense of honor and pride in himself are charming, even if the man himself could never be called that.

Although at the beginning of the story it is hard to imagine two people more unlikely to fall in love, by the end it is stunningly obvious why it happens. Alienore, like Colin, is concerned with action, also dislikes baths, and is very aware of her failings. She is unflinchingly brave and loyal, and even though she herself cannot fathom it, she does not deny her changing feelings for Colin. She is utterly feminine, but is also exactly the type of woman who Colin would be lucky to marry – as he himself knows when he discovers her identity. As we get to know him through her eyes, we wonder (as she does) why she ran off in the first place. Both Colin and Alienore have marvelous internal dialogue that serves as the primary source of humor in the book, and since that humor is carefully placed throughout the book, it is a delight each time it appears.

There are a few less than perfect moments, however, which kept me from giving the book an unconditional rave. The secondary characters are cartoonish, and some of the plot details wouldn’t stand up to intense scrutiny. The action also continues for a little longer than necessary, and some of the neat resolutions are too neat. That said, From This Moment On is funny, charming and contains two characters whose flaws are as endearing as their strengths.