by Anne O'Brien
Dorothy Dunnett: The Game of Kings and the other five Lymond novels. I remember discovering The Game of Kings and being frustrated in having to wait until the rest were written to discover the final ending.
Elizabeth Chadwick: The Wild Hunt. Her first novel, that encouraged me to continue to read and enjoy Elizabeth Chadwick.
Georgette Heyer: These Old Shades. I read it in my youth when I first discovered Georgette Heyer and enjoyed the romance of it. I have read it again since and find it just as appealing. I recall wishing that I could write with such atmosphere and accuracy of detail and period.
Margaret Mitchell: Gone With The Wind. I was impressed by the scope of this novel and her ability to create a heroine who is not entirely likeable but wholly satisfying.
Daphne du Maurier: Rebecca. A novel of wonderful atmosphere and tension.
Philippa Gregory: The Virgin’s Lover. I have read all Philippa Gregory’s novels and I think I enjoyed this one the most for the manner in which Elizabeth, Dudley and his tragic wife were brought to life in vivid three-dimensionalism. The pace of it is excellent.
Lindsay Davis: The Silver Pigs. I was hooked on the Falco series when I read this even though I would not count the Roman period as a favourite. I had to keep reading.
Joanne Harris: Lollipop Shoes. Another author I particularly look forward to reading. I enjoyed Chocolat and thought this was a worthy sequel.
All the characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author, and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all the incidents are pure invention.
All Rights Reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises II B.V./S.à.r.l. The text of this publication or any part thereof may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, storage in an information retrieval system, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.
This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the prior consent of the publisher in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.
MIRA is a registered trademark of Harlequin Enterprises Limited, used under licence.
Published in Great Britain 2009.
MIRA Books, Eton House, 18-24 Paradise Road,
Richmond, Surrey, TW9 1SR
©Anne O’Brien 2010
ISBN 978-1-4089-2795-3
Table of Contents
Cover Page
Title Page
About the Author
Dedication
Acknowledgements
Epigraph
House of York
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Epilogue
Author Note
Copyright
