“Remarkable. Stunning imagery, and delicately vivid depictions. A dramatic and romantic novel of courage and faith.” BRAG Medallion
London, 1649. As King Charles I meets his bloody end on the executioner’s block, Royalist cousins Nan Wilmot and Frances Apsley witness the king’s death as a call to action. Determined to see his son, the exiled prince, return to the throne, they risk everything to restore the monarchy. Meanwhile, their radical cousin Luce, wife of regicide John Hutchinson, celebrates the rise of the republic, setting the stage for a devastating clash of cherished family love and loyalty.
Nan, as Countess of Rochester, uses her powerful position to manipulate England’s political divide, defying Cromwell and establishing a Royalist spy network. Frances and her husband, Allen, escape to Paris to join the impoverished prince in his fight for restoration. Luce remains loyal to her beloved republic, defending Nottingham Castle under siege. As these courageous women navigate treacherous political waters and devious foes, their husbands fight openly across England’s fortresses and battlefields, all for a cause that may destroy them.
In the chaos of war, Nan, Frances, and Luce are trapped between loyalty and love. Will the return of the king be a victory, or the bitter end of everything they’ve fought for?
Based on the true story of Elizabeth St.John’s ancestors, this gripping historical novel brings to life the dramatic choices and sacrifices of women who shaped the fate of England during its darkest days of civil war. Perfect for readers of literary historical fiction who seek adventure, love, and the untold stories of courageous women.
