# XXI: How He Came to His Own explained — Simon the Coldheart

> Chapter companion for Simon the Coldheart by Georgette Heyer.

## What happens

In May, Lady Margaret waits anxiously in her garden for news of Simon. He returns, and they confess their love, with Margaret willingly surrendering her heart. They reunite with Geoffrey, Jeanne, Fulk, and Alan, celebrating their union and the end of Margaret's resistance.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love as Warfare

Margaret's surrender to Simon is framed as a conquest, with her vengeance turning to love and their relationship described in martial terms.

### Coldness vs. Passion

Simon, once cold and unyielding, shows deep passion and tenderness, while Margaret's fiery pride melts into devotion.

### Honor and Loyalty

Margaret's loyalty shifts from vengeance to Simon, and the group celebrates their bonds of friendship and family.

## Character check-ins

### Lady Margaret of Belrémy

Waits anxiously for Simon's return, then willingly surrenders to him, confessing her love and abandoning her vengeance.

### Simon the Coldheart

Returns to Margaret, declares his love, and claims her as his own, showing rare humor and tenderness.

### Fulk of Montlice

Roars at Simon and Margaret affectionately, embracing Margaret and praising Simon's conquest.

### Geoffrey of Malvallet

Present with Jeanne, jokes about wives being the devil, and congratulates Simon.

### Jeanne de Faucourt

Runs to Margaret, is kissed by Simon, and teases him about husbandly tyranny.

### Alan of Montlice

Observes the lovers wisely, claims to be the only wise one, and is affectionately dismissed by Simon.

## Key lines

> Willingly shalt thou come to me, and willingly give thy heart.

You will come to me willingly and give me your heart.

_Simon asserts his earlier prophecy, now fulfilled as Margaret comes to him._

> I swore vengeance on thee! Undying vengeance! ... I said that I would make thee rue the day thou didst cross my path.

I swore eternal vengeance against you and vowed to make you regret the day you crossed my path.

_Margaret recalls her earlier threats, now transformed into love._

> I would follow thee barefoot across the world!

I would follow you anywhere, even barefoot across the world.

_Margaret expresses her complete devotion to Simon._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/simon_the_coldheart_se/chapters/part-ii-xxi-how-he-came-to-his-own
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/simon_the_coldheart_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/simon_the_coldheart_se/chapters