Rafael Sabatini 
Lion’s Skin 

Justin Caryll, after being raised by a vengeful guardian, travels to England to destroy his birth father for the crime of dishonouring and abandoning his late mother. When we first meet Hortensia, she responds to a cruel trick by beating a villain with his own sword. It’s awesome. Justin’s mixed feelings on what to do about his absent father are still the main focus of the novel, but it’s nice to see him falling for a woman that’s worth his time. The story has plenty of excitement, including some interesting social manoeuvring and a first-rate duel scene.