Reviewed by Anna del C. Dye for Readers' Favorite

This is a romance with everything from hate to passionate sex. The author did a very good job with this medieval tale for adults.

The story begins when King Richard, at the eve of battle, calls a trusted servant to his side,the girl who had served as the lady-in-waiting to his now departed, beloved wife. He fears that the pending battle may be lost and he wants his nephew, Richard, to be protected. The young lad is the true heir to the throne of England. Now, the English lands are in hands of a usurper and if they get to the young prince, it will result in his death.

Kate, the trusted lady-in-waiting, is charged with the secret trust of guarding the life of the child. She is asked by the king to marry one of his trusted followers. Then she is sent to his estate as the lady of the manor, and the stepmother of her new husband’s son, Richard. The servants in the estate have not seen their lord’s son since he was three, and do not recognize the prince, who plays his new role very well.

All is well, until they hear that the king and his new queen are dead. They stay in the manor quietly, but misfortune again strikes when an Irishman, who is devoted to the usurper king, is awarded the estates of her late husband. Their fear redoubles for the prince’s life. The girl, in her eagerness to protect her charge, is often outspoken, which causes the new owner to be displeased with her. However, she is a good steward for the Irishman’s house, and he is intrigued by her outspoken ways. With this in mind, he keeps her and soon finds himself enjoying the prince’s company. When the Irish man’s mother comes to live with them, she grows fond of Kate’s ways and they start to love each other.

In his eagerness to keep Kate under his thumb, the Irishman goes too far one night, and she runs to the priest to stay for the night. The next day, he goes to bring her back but he doesn’t try the same technique again. The priest sees her danger and asks the usurper’s mother to interfere, which causes Kate and the prince’s hearts to skip a few beats. If the royals come, they will recognize Richard, who grows to look more like his own father every day.

It is an enjoyable tale with plenty of intrigue and mannerisms of that era. You will find loyalty and love aplenty in its pages. There is explicit sex in it as well.