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October 31, 2025

This is the first time I read a book in this series, and I admit it took me a while to get up to speed. The author has done a good job feeding us the back story, but I’m sure I lost the emotional significance of Roberda’s terrible treatment by her husband Gawen. When he returns in this book, somewhat chastened, she rediscovers her tattered love for him and does her best to put the past behind them. She manages to fool herself despite the unforgiving comments of her dear friend and servant Clotilde: "‘It’s a fine time for you to be bearing another child. The forces of Spain are about to rain down on us!’ Clotilde threw her hands up into the air. There was an uneasy silence before she spoke again. ‘But it is only to be expected after your joyful reunion at Christmas.’ The derision in her voice cut me to the quick. She went on, turning the knife in a raw wound. ‘I don’t suppose it will be the last. Mark me well! Bearing his children will wear you down. It is the best way for a man to keep his wife in her place.’ She picked up her skirts and bustled away like a hen with ruffled feathers, leaving me speechless." Many babies do follow, and Clotilde’s words come true with a vengeance. But Roberda is made of stern stuff, and manages to keep body and soul together—and the rest of the household—through challenging events that could easily have torn the family and estate apart. This is during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, and the story starts just as England is threatened by the Spanish Armada. We meet Sir Francis Drake and Walter Raleigh, both friends of the family, and grit our teeth as Gawen pushes Roberda aside, taking back control of Darlington as though his wife has no value. She makes a good brood mare, though! Ultimately, she finds herself on her own, and must bring the estate back from the brink of disaster, despite heavy interference from unscrupulous relatives of her husband.

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