This is one of my favorite books by Elizabeth Chadwick! She has never let me down!
Joscelin was the ... son of a great warrior. His mother died during his childhood and took his father's heart with her to the grave. Because his father has legitimate heirs, Joscelin had few prospects. He had run away from home to fight as a mercenary at the age of 15. Seven years later he had returned as the captain of his own troupe. Since then he had taken service where it was available and when it wasn't available he had rode the tourney circuit. Now he has returned home briefly before beginning employment with the Justiciar of England, who ruled while King Henry II was in France.
On his way home he encountered Linnet and her husband. Married at 13 to a brutal Lord, Linnet had one son she cherished and tried to protect from her husband's brutality. She suspects her husband is plotting treason. She knows that her husband is destroying her son's inheritance in futherance of his plans.
While the political background is important, the real driving force in this case is the dynamics set in force by Joscelin's father decades before.
On his way home he encountered Linnet and her husband. Married at 13 to a brutal Lord, Linnet had one son she cherished and tried to protect from her husband's brutality. She suspects her husband is plotting treason. She knows that her husband is destroying her son's inheritance in futherance of his plans.
While the political background is important, the real driving force in this case is the dynamics set in force by Joscelin's father decades before.
Joscelin de Gael is the illegitimate son of William de Rocher, a prominent knight. Jocelin has no claim to inheritance from his father. Still his father loves him more than his natural sons the oldest whom hate him. Earning his way as a mercenary serving the king, he returns again and again to visit his father.
During his travels, Joscelin encounters a broken cart owned by Giles de Montsorrel offers assistance and meets the wife, Linnet, and her son, Robert. Later, when de Montsorrel dies, he is assigned to take Linnet and her son home. Attracted to her, he does so and is subsequently told he can be promoted if he marries the reluctant young woman whose past male encounters sour her on the idea.
The story describes their budding romance, their marriage, and his conflicts with the brothers. As the conclusion approaches, Jocelin and his father travel to the city of Norfolk were they encounter an army. The attack was arranged by the oldest brother with collusion of an enemy of the crown. What happens next is somewhat predictable as the novel concludes. A light romance coupled with the de Rocher family trials is a well written and entertaining read.
During his travels, Joscelin encounters a broken cart owned by Giles de Montsorrel offers assistance and meets the wife, Linnet, and her son, Robert. Later, when de Montsorrel dies, he is assigned to take Linnet and her son home. Attracted to her, he does so and is subsequently told he can be promoted if he marries the reluctant young woman whose past male encounters sour her on the idea.
The story describes their budding romance, their marriage, and his conflicts with the brothers. As the conclusion approaches, Jocelin and his father travel to the city of Norfolk were they encounter an army. The attack was arranged by the oldest brother with collusion of an enemy of the crown. What happens next is somewhat predictable as the novel concludes. A light romance coupled with the de Rocher family trials is a well written and entertaining read.
