This was the first book I read in the Graistan Chronicles and bought the others based on it. I loved the story. The characters are representative of their times and the story reflected in depth research. Part of what held my interest was the author's ability to portray even children realistically...
From beneath the concealment of Johanna's blue skirts, a tiny paw emerged. New claws, sharp as pins, caught at her stockinged ankle. Choking back a giggle, Johanna stared at the parchment spread atop the desk's sloping surface. It was her third lesson in reading. This time she tried, she truly di...
Her heart pounding, she fought her way free of a dream in which she again swung that urn at Lord Bucksden. She stared into the darkness, lost for an instant in the deep shadows and silvery half light around her. Embers snapped and popped, the wind howled. Rain rattled at window panes. The dwellin...
A middle-aged widow, Lady Roheise de Say had sharp features and eyes and hair the color of slate. As she neared she lifted her lips into what she no doubt assumed was a friendly smile. What tiny bit of pleasure Ami had regained with talk of possets died into sour dismay. Not all of the king’s war...
Although it was past midday, barely a shadow clung to the sheds and storage barns that lined the narrow yard. With summer days long, the sun was only now beginning its descent toward the western horizon where it would do battle with the great troop of clouds gathered there. Given the many hours y...
Lucy's piping voice floated back to the wagon on a gusty breeze. Belle looked up from the petticoat she was making for her child, a hand atop her hat to keep the wind from stealing it. Because the day had dawned clear and cloudless, they’d stripped the wagon of its canvas covering, which meant th...
He signaled to Walter. "What did that man say?" "My lord, Ralph by Wood asks the villagers to ignore your lady's protests of forced marriage and see the two of you joined. The rest are following where he leads." Gilliam's eyes closed in a brief prayer of thanks. Here was the test of what he had l...
Do you think I'd let him go back to the mill when I knew that ass meant to have at him? Not in my lifetime!" Susanna the Alewife's voice was so deep she could have been mistaken for a man. She looked like a soldier, standing with her shoulders thrown back and her hands braced on her hips. A massi...
“I take it we are walking,” the monk said. “We are,” Faucon replied. “After that, if you don’t mind, perhaps you’ll come with me to speak to Mistress Gisla. I’m hoping she’ll better tolerate my presence and answer truthfully if you’re at my side.” “...
They'd been delayed while he waited to meet with the former sub-abbot. It had been well after Prime when the anchorite at last sent a reply through a novice, saying he was too ill this day to entertain a conversation. With geese and swans flocking noisily overhead, departi...