Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here.

Nicholas Vaughn is Lord of New Romney and also a Baron of the Cinque Ports. He directs a fleet of ships that service the king 15 days a year in exchange for special privileges.

When Muriel Draper causes havoc on his wharf, he realizes she is a spinster—a woman who spins wool for a living—from the town. Her late father has angered the Clothmaker's Guild and now Muriel and her brother have been excommunicated from the guild and also left with a debt to the baron that he insists Muriel repays.

She can either give the baron her deceased mother's wedding ring—the only memory of her parents she has left—or she can live with him at his manor house and be his Personal Clothier to pay back the debt.

Can a merchant's daughter and a Baron of the Cinque Ports find a safe harbor with the passion for each other that burns between them, or will title and status sink that ship before it's even sailed?

Watch for The Baron's Bounty - Book 2, and The Baron's Destiny - Book 3 coming soon!

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 28, 2015

322 people are currently reading
409 people want to read

About the author

Elizabeth Rose

294 books1,286 followers



Elizabeth Rose is the author of medieval, paranormal, fantasy and contemporary novels. While based on romance, her novels have complex plots, action and suspense. She loves writing bad boy tortured heroes and empowered feisty heroines.

Her books have won rave reviews, and been seen on The History Channel as well as Wild Chicago. Elizabeth's books have won and been finalists in many contests. Here is a partial list:

Highland Spirit - Highland Chronicles WINNER of the Raven Award.
Bedeviled - Portals of Destiny, WINNER Creme de la Cover Contest
Beguiled - Portals of Destiny, WINNER - Creme de la Cover Contest

RONE Award finalists include:
Doubting Thomas - Bad Boys of Sweetwater
Highland Steel - Highland Chronicles
Tristan - Pirate Lords
Igniting Andrew - Bad Boys of Sweetwater
Highland Secrets - Secrets of the Heart
Seductive Secrets - Secrets of the Heart
Forgotten Secrets - all Secrets of the Heart
Summer's Reign - Seasons of Fortitude

Kindle Book Review Awards finalist and semi-finalist:
Highland Secrets
Forgotten Secrets

International Digital Award finalist:
Highland Spring - Seasons of Fortitude

Golden Palm Finalist:
Mary, Mary - Once Upon a Rhyme

Raven Awards Best Cover finalist:
May Queen - Holiday Knights

Raven Awards Runner-Up:
Lady and the Wolf - Tangled Tales

Books and Benches Reviewer's Choice:
Restless Sea Lord - Legendary Bastards of the Crown

Sapphire Award Finalist:
Kyros' Secret - Greek Myth Fantasy Series

Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice:
Thief of Olympus - Greek Myth Fantasy Series

Seen on the History Channel:
The Oracle of Delphi - Greek Myth Fantasy Series

And More!

Elizabeth is known for her many series which include:

Below the Salt Series
Highland Outcasts
Portals of Destiny
Legacy of the Blade
Daughters of the Dagger
Elemental Magick Series
Bad Boys of Sweetwater: Tarnished Saints Series Greek Myth Fantasy Series
MadMan MacKeefe Series
Legendary Bastards of the Crown
Seasons of Fortitude
Secrets of the Heart
Second in Command
Pirate Lords
Highland Chronicles
Barons of the Cinque Ports
Tangled Tales Once Upon a Rhyme
Holiday Knights
Dark Encounters
Cowboys of the Old West
Working Man Series, and more!

Someday Elizabeth hopes to visit the castles of Scotland and England personally. However, she has been to the jungles of Peru and Machu Picchu which inspired her novels, Curse of the Condor and Bistro Bachelor.

Visit her website to view her latest books and to read excerpts of her work. http://elizabethrosenovels.com.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
155 (36%)
4 stars
130 (30%)
3 stars
82 (19%)
2 stars
42 (9%)
1 star
21 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
Profile Image for Trish R..
1,772 reviews58 followers
August 24, 2016
DNF @ 48%..

I have no idea what this author was thinking but she made it almost impossible to like Nicholas or Muriel. They both had the attitude that they were better than everyone else, he even had her sleep on the floor at the foot of his bed. Yeah, that’s real romantic. She has nothing on and nothing to wear and she refuses to put on a servants dress on while hers dries and then wonders how anyone can wear something so coarse and scratchy? Really? And Nicholas was so full of himself you’d have thought he was the King himself, along with those pompous asses Conlin and John.

And the wording, “scoping out her body?” or “scoping out her whereabouts?” Do you really think that “scoping out” was used that far back in history? And her telling of how to use that spindle was just crazy. I read that part twice and still couldn’t figure it out. If I were watching it it might have been different but having it written was not telling me anything. All it did was take up pages in the book.

One reviewer mentioned this story was “erotic.” At 48% there were no thoughts of desire or wanting, just a couple of kisses. If that means erotic then I have no idea what erotic is. Or maybe the other reviewer doesn’t know. At any rate, at 48% I can’t finish this silly book. I can’t stand any character, except Isaac, Muriel’s younger brother. Their attitudes are just too much for my liking.

I have no idea if there was any sex, there wasn’t up to the point I quit reading. There was no swearing to speak of.

As to the narrator: Stan Chandler did an excellent job. The men all had great voices and the women sounded like women. I was really impressed when the book called for a laugh and he actually let out a belly-laugh, several times. The narrator was the best part of the book.

1,106 reviews17 followers
November 5, 2016
Well I gave it 3 stars because I found the unusual background interesting. The Cinque ports in the 12th century was a period I was not at all familiar without. However the to stupid to live heroine left me cold from the beginning. The hero was a bit of a dud also.

In the end he only married her because she was pregnant. With twins . It was the twins that put him over the top. Up until then he was dithering. Though how in heavens name a healer would know a women two or three months pregnant was having twins is beyond me. In the 1960's my sister did not find out she was having twins until she was on the delivery table. The doctor was a sport though and didn't charge her for the second delivery since he had overlooked it during her prenatal examines.

So for me the history was more interesting then the romance. Don't think I'll try this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for HR-ML.
1,270 reviews54 followers
May 14, 2019
Story took place in England 1285.

Nicholas, a powerful baron met 18 YO Muriel spinster
(spun cloth) and weaver. Her brother Isaac, 5 years
her junior, also was a trained weaver.

The Guild terminated Muriel's cloth merchant father,
as a member & dad died mysteriously. He died in debt
to the hero, arrears in: rent & his Guild dues. The Guild
callously took the heroine's loom, wool, other supplies,
to pay the Guild debt.

This story held my interest, except too immature Muriel.
She undermined the hero in front of his subordinates
and friends & she told brother to remain at their rented
digs while she moved into the baron's manor home as
his clothier (to settle father's debt). She played cat &
mouse with hero around emotions & sexual attraction.
Sorry to say I just wanted Muriel to go away.
Profile Image for AnnMarie.
1,300 reviews34 followers
May 5, 2020
The Baron's Quest is the first book in the Barons of the Cinque Ports by Elizabeth Rose.

Muriel Draper finds herself desperate for money after her father is murdered leaving her with much debt. She is a spinster, she spins wool for a living. Her younger brother is a weaver. She goes against the rules of the Clothmaker's Guild that her father, and therefore she, is a part of by trying to sell her goods on the docks and on a Sunday. It is there that the Baron first meets her.

Nicholas Vaughn, the Baron rescues her from a tradesman who was trying to get more from her than what she had to offer. After helping her she disappears and it's only then that he is reminded by friends that she owes him two months rent on the land she rents off him for sheep to graze on.

I don't want to give you all the details or you won't need to read the book! Suffice to say that Nicholas helps Muriel and her brother out by giving them employment and a roof over their heads until her debt is paid off. That is how they get to spend a lot of time together. Time in which they are either lusting after each other or are angry with each other. Regardless of their feelings they can't have a future because of the difference in their classes, or can they?

At times both Muriel and Nicholas came across as not very likeable at all. Nicholas could seem too snobby and Muriel could be way too forthright considering her station and the time that the book is set in. But despite that, they definitely both grew on me and I saw more good in them than bad. Enough, indeed, to forgive them their unlikeable moments. I was more than willing a happy ending for them.

As well as the possible budding romance between the couple there was also the mystery of tax-evading at the docks and the mystery of who killed Muriel's father and why they did it. It made for an exciting story with some particularly emotional scenes.

I listened to the audio version of this book and I think at times the narrator made both Muriel and Nicholas sound too harsh in certain scenarios. If I had been reading the book myself I would have put a much different slant on the scenes. Also, his characterisation of Muriel's brother often had him sounding like a grown man rather than a 15-year-old boy. That said, for the most part, I enjoyed the narration. I particularly liked, no, I loved when he would chuckle or giggle depending on which character he was being when that person said something with a laugh. That was a real highlight for me and always made me smile.

I would give the narration a 3.5-star rating, and the story a 4 star one. I am happy to recommend you read/listen to the story.
Profile Image for Lori D.
4,079 reviews130 followers
May 8, 2020
When you think of a spinster, it does not come to mind that it could also be a woman who spins wool for a living. But that is exactly what Muriel Daper does. Unfortunately there is a Clothmaker's Guild that regulates and due to her late father making them angry, she and her brother have little options. Plus then have a large debt to pay back of their sires.
Her choices are slim and the only one she can choose is to live with the Baron of Cinque Ports and be his personal clothier. Can you imagine? But something sparks between the merchants daughter and the Baron that is completely unexpected. But how could it ever be?
Great story as also with Elizabeth Rose at the helm!
Profile Image for Vikki Vaught.
Author 12 books160 followers
August 26, 2016
3.5 Stars

Took me a long time to warm up to the hero and heroine, but this did have a great ending!
Profile Image for Gabz.
1,284 reviews41 followers
June 1, 2018
See, the thing is that I respect the author. She put in the work that many people wouldn't and managed to actually finish her vision. Now time for some constructive feedback.

The problem with the work is that it's just not got anything redeeming. Isaac is briefly likeable, but the main characters are all despicable. I'm not sure Nicholas could be liked if he tried, and Muriel is the sort of woman that you'd avoid if you ever had the misfortune of being acquainted. It makes sense to have flawed characters, characters who don't necessarily understand themselves and don't always do the reasonable thing, but there was hardly anyone you could genuinely feel for - the only reason the bad people were bad people was that they were even worse than Nicholas and Muriel put together. The enemy is as important a character as the hero is, and they deserve the same kind of vivid life that the hero has, because when that is missing, it becomes difficult to portray the hero's challenges as challenges worth fighting for and the sympathy of others.

There's also a touch too much information dump. The author most certainly did her research, but the information is spoon-fed: this works like this and that works in a different way because of X,Y,Z. What our narrator forgets is that the reader must believe the world they are in. There is no need to explain why a word is used or what it means if it does not necessarily impact upon the story (especially for a Kindle version, where the reader can just look up the word). Neither is there a need to explain the social system as a separate section when it could be woven into the story. There is no need to explain that Nicholas is called by his holdings because that is the proper way - the reader should not have the opportunity to bring their world-view into the world-building.
Profile Image for Lesley.
2,452 reviews17 followers
July 19, 2017
First in a Series.
Nicholas Vaughn, Lord of New Romney and Baron of the Cinque Ports is convinced that he and the King are being cheated out of taxes but he cannot work out who the perpetrators are. The last thing he needs is to develop a fascination for a merchant's daughter who is behind on paying rent on the marshland he owns and whom appears to be in a bind with the Clothmaker's Guild.
Eighteen year old Muriel Draper is becoming desperate, her father was attacked and killed, leaving her and her young brother to pay his outstanding debts. The Clothmaker's Guild refuses to allow Muriel membership to the Guild and are making it impossible for her to make a living as a merchant.
Lord Nicholas employs her as his Personal Clothier in order that she can pay the debt owed to him. He is intrigued by her beauty, determination and fierceness but how can he have a future with such a woman when it is his duty to his name to marry a noblewoman?
It was interesting to read a love story involving a commoner/freewoman rather than just nobles and I learnt a bit about spinning and weaving and the guild system in the 13th century.
910 reviews5 followers
May 17, 2021
Nicholas runs into love

Coming from a home where the word love was never spoken, Nicholas hasn't bothered to put marriage on his to do list. He has plenty to keep him busy, with ships to manage and the port near his home to oversee. With his two best friends and partners to work and enjoy life with, even if he is the only one... (I'll let you discover that tidbit for yourself), life is going along smoothly. That is until he spots what appears to be a girl trying to sell her wares on the dock on Sunday, and he takes off running to catch her. Even though such activities are against the law and she must pay a fine for breaking the law, from this moment forward, if he can catch her, his life will never be the same!
A great plot that will suck you in and keep you until the very end. The great news is there are two more books in the series! Don't miss out!
Profile Image for Lora DeVoe.
28 reviews
April 11, 2022
Sweet story of a free merchant's daughter and her struggles after her father is killed on a trip to Canterbury. Many characters will be familiar from other series by the author.

Muriel must figure out a way for her and her brother to survive after their father is killed. There are many debts that her father owed and all of their belongings are confiscated to pay for these debts and fines that he owed.

The Baron of New Romney offers her a deal to work at his manor house to finish paying off the debt owed and allows her brother to come along. Together Muriel and her brother are tasked with making clothes for the Baron and other nobles that reside at his home.

Follow Muriel and Nicholas on this adventure of a relationship. You will gasp, laugh and maybe even weep. I think you will enjoy it.
937 reviews7 followers
December 15, 2021
Muriel Draper is the daughter of a merchant that makes and sells cloth but he is murdered on his way home. He is leaving his daughter and son penniless and in debts which they cannot pay. There is a mystery behind his death. This tale is a bit melodramatic but I like the feisty heroine. The Baron is a younger son and his father and brothers appear to enjoy tormenting him even though he fought for king and country transporting men and weapons on the high seas. Nicholas falls in love with the beautiful spinner of fine thread but as she is a commoner it is unacceptable for him to marry her. After a great deal of I want you but I shouldn't the mysteries of the Port are solved by the "spinster" and things begin to change. Interesting premise but a bit to much "I love her but I can't!"
Profile Image for Monika.
487 reviews
December 30, 2017
This book gives a great inside of life in 13th century England. The description of life on the docks was so vivid I could almost smell the stale ale and the rotten fish. I also enjoyed learning the way guilds worked. But the best part was the detailed description of spinning and weaving. The story itself was very predictable. It didn't take me long to figure out the mystery. And the H an h? Well, it took me through most of the book before I liked either. For the most part, I found the h rather annoying. And the H was extremely selfish and despondent. Overall, I did like the book enough that I will read the second one in the series.
557 reviews5 followers
May 11, 2020
I just love reading Elizabeth Rose’s historical romances. This is a wonderful story of two unlikely people in unusual circumstances.

This was an interesting and entertaining reading experience. Not only is there a love story, humor and mystery there’s also the historical information about the Cinque Ports and the art of spinning and weaving which I found intriguing.

I particularly enjoyed watching Murial and Nicolas navigate the relationship. It was great to see the changes in both of them as their relationship developed.

Thank you so much Elizabeth for this entertaining love story. I look forward to the rest of the series.
Profile Image for AIDA A LORENZANA.
83 reviews2 followers
January 12, 2021
The Baron's Quest, Book 1 of the Baron's of the Cinque Ports series. I have read about almost all of Elizabeth Rose series and it just keeps getting better and better. This is an interesting series for me because it has to do with a Barona and a merchant's daughter. Usually in those times love was not allowed between the two status. Muriel, a Merchant's daughter who did everything in her power to protect and feed her family. Nicholas a handsome Baron who sore not to ever marry, come together in an adventure that will have you turning page by page. I definitely recommend this series. Book 2. Happy Reading
Profile Image for Gina.
2,383 reviews31 followers
May 8, 2020
The Baron and the spinster

Nicholas is the baron of a seaport town. Muriel is a spinster, spinner of wool, trying to make her way after her father's death. One day Nicholas and Muriel meet when she is selling goods illegally. Nicholas should punish her but he is taken aback by the feisty woman. She and her brother end up working in his house. Nicholas can't stay away. But something is afoot in at the port and Muriel may be involved. Amongst treachery and danger there will be misunderstandings and hard decisions to be made.
Profile Image for Raine Balkera.
Author 4 books13 followers
May 21, 2017
Started out fine and interesting, but then around chapter 7 things plummeted and I quickly lost interest. Poor grammar, spelling, and punctuation weren't the worst of it, either. The author set two 21st Century people down in 12th Century England, saying, doing, and thinking far too modern for the time period... a huge turn-off. The two leads were unlikable as well, with very little depth or emotion to them to really care. I just didn't get it so very disappointed.
253 reviews1 follower
May 13, 2020
When her father is murdered, Muriel Draper, wants to run her father's business, but since she is a single woman, the guild will not allow it.
Eventually the guild comes and takes everything that Muriel and her brother, Isaac owns to pay for their fathers debts.
Nicholas Vaughn Lord of New Romney and Baron of the Cinque Ports, is intrigued by this woman.
So he decides to make her his personal clothier, instead of her rent.
Will love develop between the spinster and the Baron
76 reviews1 follower
October 18, 2021
Amazing!

Absolutely loved this story! Muriel is alone with her brother now that her father had been attacked and killed. Trying to survive she meets up with Baron Nicholas who just can’t get enough of her. But, he just can’t get over the differences in their station. He finally comes to the realization that love is what is most important. There is so many difficulties to overcome throughout this story that it becomes an emotional roller coaster. A must read!
Profile Image for Barbara "Cookie" Serfaty Williams.
2,705 reviews5 followers
March 20, 2023
The Baron's Quest (The Barons of the Cinque Ports Series Book 1)

The love story of Nicholas and Muriel. Muriel's father was killed and now the merchant gill has taken everything from her and her brother. She owns the baron two month rent on the land and told her that she can work off the debt and and get her mother's ring back. Will she get the ring back or will she find love? Great story.
Profile Image for MaryD.
1,737 reviews2 followers
November 1, 2016
While I liked learning a bit about this period in history, I almost didn't finish the book. The characters were one-dimensional and the punctuation was abysmal. The relationship between the two main characters didn't "click" for me.
Profile Image for Phylis Collins.
2,845 reviews8 followers
March 24, 2017
Really good story

The Baron's Quest book 1 by Elizabeth Rose is a really good story. I enjoyed reading this delightful story. I liked the characters. It was interesting to read how clothing was made back then. Read it is worth your time. Thanks
107 reviews
May 29, 2017
Nicholas and Muriel's Story

Well written as usual, with those tidbits that give a sense of the time it was based on and the society the characters would have lived in. Look forward to reading about the downfall of the rest of the barons
28 reviews
August 22, 2018
It was a good story. I just didn't like the way the H treated the h in this story and she kept running back to him. This is probably how it was back in this time period. I am glad that there was a happy ending.
Profile Image for Holly Bargo.
Author 42 books145 followers
November 30, 2019
DNF due to TSTL heroine

Our heroine is in truly unfortunate circumstances, but compounds them through words and actions that designate her as too stupid to live. At about a quarter of the way through this book, I called it quits.
17 reviews
May 9, 2020
Very well written book

The characters are wonderful, the story keeps your interest, and the knowledge shared about spinning and weaving is fascinating. And, of course, the happy ending is just right.
1,583 reviews14 followers
May 10, 2020
He was a 2nd son , but he did have a nice home

There are rules for those in lineage. Who you marry, where you live, what your family does. It can be exhausting. This Baron saw thru all that and saw her ash she was. Smart, witty, frugal, great with finances, and very caring
5 reviews
May 10, 2020
This is a story about two young lovers, both brought together from totally different backgrounds, battling adversities in this period of history. The guilds of England prove to be dangerous and corruptive for this couple, but finally love conquers all.
2 reviews
May 15, 2020
Fast easy reading. Loved the history of spinning. Easy to follow characters. I like the author's easy style of writing.

the author's easy style of writing. More could have been written about how the guild worked during this time in history.
Profile Image for Anne Blyth.
1,975 reviews1 follower
December 27, 2020
Book 1 in the series and I found it was an interesting mix of action and drama. Again I find the characters a great mix of quirky, fun and dashingly handsome and admirable. There is always a liberal dose of humour mixed into the story that makes it a pleasurable read.
Profile Image for Marjorie.
2,099 reviews4 followers
March 27, 2022
Great historical romance

This was a very interesting book. I enjoy learning history as I am learning about our ancestors too. I guess sometimes when Spinster was written on the marriage certificate it could have been her profession.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.