BARBARA SAMUEL

Heart Of A Knight

Rated 4.5
ISBN# 0-06-108518-9
Copyright 1997
Reviewed 7/25/97 by Kathy

The villagers of Woodell Village are huddled in the church at Candlemas Eve. They are tired of the winter and of their uncertain future. Suddenly, the church door bursts open and a tall, dark stranger enters. He is richly dressed and is accompanied by an older woman who is very humbly dressed. She boldly walks to the front of the church and kneels at the alter. Then she turns around to the villagers and states that her lord seeks shelter. She says in exchange for food and shelter the Lord Thomas will protect the Village of Woodell with his sword. The villagers have no need to think about this. They immediately agree to this bargain.

Lady Elizabeth, cousin to the king, has fled the village and Woodell Castle because of the plague. She has two stepchildren that she must protect. The villagers think she is a good and fair mistress but they resent the fact that she has fled the village and left them there on their own to face starvation and the plague.

Lord Thomas protects the villagers and helps them plant their crops when spring comes. He works along with the villagers to insure that they have enough food to eat and takes care of them. The woman who comes along with him gives the villagers a potion to ward off the plague. She also helps to heal those who become sick.

Lady Elizabeth comes home to Woodell Castle on Midsummer's Day. She expects to see the villagers very weak or dead from the plague. She is very surprised to see the village thriving. The crops are in the fields and everyone is happy.

Lady Elizabeth comes to the castle and finds Lord Thomas in the bailey. They introduce themselves and the villagers soon tell her how Lord Thomas has taken care of them while she was away. She is very grateful to him and agrees to let him stay for a time.

There is a growing attraction between them and finally the inevitable happens. They fall in love but Lord Thomas has a dark and dangerous secret. It could endanger their very lives.