Emerald Silk

by Janet Lane

  She turned, relieved to have support. “They’re mounted on warhorses sixteen hands high. Swinging swords.” A scream knocked at her throat, wanting to surface. Teraf had been taken, Lord Tabor was nowhere near to help her, and if she didn’t think of something posthaste she may never see Teraf again. “Our best hope is to unseat them.”

  She spied the metal props used to hold cooking kettles over the open fire. She eyed the long, iron rods, following the bend of the metal down to the end. The hook was curved wide to enable easy removal of heavy pots, the curl wide enough to catch a neck or an arm. Even a big one, she thought, recalling John Wynter’s thick neck. She removed the pots of soup suspended over the fire and pulled three kettle props from the earth, holding them by the cool end. “These will help us pull them off their horses without getting too close and getting trampled. Then the knights will be but half as powerful.”

  Rill’s eyes lit in recognition. “Aye, and you men, bring some long pieces of firewood. Hurry.”

  Wood and kettle props gathered, they mounted their horses.

  Wet hoof beats told of someone approaching. Maud rushed into camp, her red hair hanging on her mud-speckled cloak. She spied Kadriya and rode to them. “I heard what happened. It’ll be all right, Sprig,” she soothed, using her pet name. “They’ll learn the truth at the monastery.”

  “Fie! with John Wynter, Teraf will be lucky to live through the night.” She told Maud of the knight’s fury and hatred, shivering from the perils of her plan. “We’re going to Blackwater Point. To free Teraf.”

  _________________________

  REVIEWS FOR EMERALD SILK

  ENCHANTING! “An enchanting medieval romance filled with passion, intrigue and vividly drawn characters that leap off the page. I loved this novel!”

  … New York Times Best-selling Author Lara Adrian, writing as Tina St. John

  GRADE A! “This fast-moving, smoothly constructed historical novel quickly pulls readers into 15th century England and its growing discrimination against Gypsies. Well-drawn characters and the strong sense of time and place will have readers rushing to read Tabor’s Trinket, the prequel to this book.

  … Joan Hinkemeyer, Rocky Mountain News

  RICH CHARACTERS IN A LUSH SETTING “A page turner filled with prejudice, betrayal, loyalty, shame and passion. A powerful tale that shows the destructive power of racism and the enlightening journey one can take to overcome a lifetime of differences. This is a story that I would recommend to all.”

  … Anthonette Dotson, Romance Reviews Today

  HOT! “Lane’s Gypsies, tramps and thieves all have their own agenda in this enjoyable tale of love. There are interesting secondary characters, including a trained monkey.

  … Faith V. Smith, Romantic Times Book Reviews

  “An exciting medieval adventure, with enough passion and historical detail to satisfy the most demanding reader.”

  … USA Today best-selling author Jasmine Cresswell

  GLOWING JEWEL OF A BOOK “Deep and colorful with just enough ‘silk’ to captivate.

  … RITA-winning author Robin D. Owens

  REFRESHING HISTORICAL, A UNIQUE PROTAGONIST “The intrigue, betrayal, and sexual blackmail at the Abbey enhance a strong tale.”

  …Reviewer Harriet Klausner

  REVIEWS FOR TABOR’S TRINKET

  “Captivating characters, intriguing plot. A keeper!” –Robin Owens, RITA-award-winning novelist

  “This adventurous and chivalrous story succeeds on many levels. An emotionally satisfying tale.” –Romantic Times

  “TABOR’S TRINKET has made Janet Lane one of my favorite authors. I loved the book. If you’re looking for wonderful story-telling, unforgettable characters, and a marvelous sense of time and place, you must read Janet Lane.” –Maggie Osborne, RITA-award-winning author

  “Fans of medieval romance will be thrilled with the tightly written plot. It is a story of love in the face of prejudice and misunderstanding, set in a time wrought with intrigue and political machinations. Ms. Lane’s debut novel grips the reader from the first page to the last, and Lord Tabor is a wonderful hero. A knight who reads books of romance is sure to steal any heart. This is a thoroughly enjoyable story in which to lose one's cares.” –loveromance.com

  “Debut novelist Janet Lane pens a descriptive story set in a period of great political unrest when a man of honor is hard to find. This is a romance, so we know there will be a great conclusion. It’s the fun of finding out how that makes TABOR’S TRINKET intriguing. Pick up this title and enjoy the read.” –Romance Reviews Today

  AWARDS – TABOR’S TRINKET

  Winner 2015 IPPY Award - Bronze Medal

  Winner 2015 INDIE Award

  Best Novel Award--Preditors and Editors

  Best Seller List--Rocky Mountain News

  Best Romance Novel--Rocky Mtn Fiction Writers

  _____________________

  Author’s Note

  Over the centuries, Gypsies (Romani) have been romanticized, feared, tortured, and expelled.

  Yet these nomadic people for a brief time enjoyed a social honeymoon in Europe. In a time span of several decades, royalty, the church, and nobles in many countries not only welcomed the Gypsies but also willingly financed their journeys through their lands.

  Records of their travels suggest that India is their land of origin, but these nomadic people more often claimed Egypt as their homeland. During their exodus through western Europe, the clever Gypsies ascertained that nobility had its privileges. Always adaptable, they assumed titles such as "Count" and "Duke." Harnessing the popularity of pilgrimages, their story evolved: they claimed to be of noble blood, ejected from their lands in Little Egypt. They traveled on a pilgrimage of penitence by order of the pope himself, who directed them to roam the earth for seven years without sleeping in a bed.

  Dark-skinned and handsome, riding choice steeds and dressed in exotic clothes, the Gypsies dazzled peasants and royalty alike. Gypsies gained papers ensuring safe conduct from such dignitaries as King James IV of Scotland and Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor (1411–37) and King of Hungary (1387–1437).

  While the first written evidence of Gypsies in the British Isles is dated April, 1505, it’s probable that the Gypsies arrived at an earlier time. Official documents exist, along with stories which tell of Gypsies arriving in Paris in 1427, last seen heading toward England, likely enticed by the rich, powerful country that seemed to be finally winning the Hundred Years War.

  During this time Gypsies were sold and traded, along with their bears and monkeys, in Bulgaria and Wallachia, and shipped to southern France. Thirteenth-century records reveal that a young Gypsy girl was sold in Marseilles for nine pounds and fifteen solidi.

  Tens of thousands of Gypsies were confined in slavery, and yet, with the right clothes and a convincing story, they could become noble pilgrims, receiving respect and sustenance during their travels. One would be hard put to imagine better incentive to escape.

  It is in this atmosphere of early social honeymoon that my fictional heroine, Sharai, appears in Tabor’s Trinket. She was shipped as a slave from Wallachia to Marseilles, fled France and ferried to England with a small band of fellow Gypsies, seeking freedom from slavery and a new beginning.

  Also during this time Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, periodically ruled England in his child nephew, King Henry VI’s stead. He met his future wife, Eleanor, when she was but a lady-in-waiting for Gloucester’s new wife, Jacqueline of Hainault. That marriage, conceived in politics, died in politics and was annulled. This freed Gloucester to wed Eleanor, his paramour from a considerably more humble background than his, and one who was known to dabble in sorcery.

  Gloucester often traveled the far reaches of the realm, settling feuds between nobility. An intelligent, quick-tempered man, Gloucester savored power but was destined to live on the fringe of it, first as the king’s brother (Henry V) then, at his brother’s death, grasping what power he could as the child king’s uncle.

>   About the Anagram

  Love Conquers All

  Fifteenth century nobles were fond of word play and wore anagrams like this one to stimulate conversations at court. The “3” hints there are three words to this puzzle. Add the “A” (from the bottom of the three to the middle of the top and back down to the lower right); the “V” (from the left top of the crown, down to the middle, and back up to the right side of the crown); the partial “O” to the right; consider the heart in the center and the crown at the top, and the clever observer solves this medieval riddle: “Amor Vincit Omnia,” Latin for “Love conquers all.”

  May love always fill your life!

  _______________________________

  Dedication

  I dedicate this, my first published fiction novel, to John Penaligon, my husband of twenty-nine years. He put up with me when I dragged our family through Somerset, looking for obscure towns and landmarks, and through all the late-night keyboard sessions and challenges, he gave unflagging support to my writing dreams.

  I’m not sure he would eat a spell cake, but with his charm, sense of humor and adventure, John has helped make my life the stuff of dreams.

  Acknowledgments

  When John and I married I gained a husband and a new family. Thanks to Dot and Nancy for reading those early versions, and to Jack, Carol, and all the Penaligons for their support. Thanks to my incredible daughters, Jessica and Jalena, for sharing their enthusiasm and their many talents, including editing and graphic design.

  Thanks to my mother, Mary, and my twin siblings, JoAnne and John, for the love and laughter. Thanks to Pam, Jan, Laura and Carol for their treasured friendship and encouragement.

  I appreciate the help of my friends at Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, especially to the members of my Kay Bergstrom critique group, Kay, Peggy, Robin, Sue, Sharon, Alice, Leslee, and Teresa; and to my Alphas, Jim, Karen, Margaret, Vicki, Bonnie, Lawdon, Michael, Heidi, Rosita, Christine, Gail, Shannon, and Tony. Thanks to Pam and my Celestial Sisters; my Story Magic plotters, Karen, Diane, Kay, and Jasmine; to Margie Lawson and my KaizenWriter motivational group friends.

  Thanks to the research librarians at Bemis, Jefferson County, Denver Public Library and the University of Denver.

  Thanks to Geraldine Buchanan of the Winchester Museums Service for maps of the St. Giles Fair, and to the Winchester City Council for information on trade routes and medieval-minted coins.

  Thanks to Jessie Wulf and Susan Mackay Smith for their considerable contributions to the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Colorado Gold contest. Thanks to historical author Denee Cody for her helpful input, and to Denise Dietz, who saw the potential in this story. Thanks to John Helfers, and last and never least, thanks to my editor, Alice Duncan, for her help and keen eye to detail. After all input, any errors with historical fact are mine.

  BOOK CLUB DISCUSSION TOPICS

  Roma fear assimilation with Gorgio or Gajikane societies because they dread being corrupted by those societies’ influences. America is known as the land of immigrants yet, when viewed in terms of historical continental migrations, European countries have also received waves of immigrants. Is it possible for a people to integrate in a new country, without assimilating?

  Dispelling Myths about Gypsies

  From a site endorsed by the National Association of Teachers of Travellers and Other Professions, here are some popular myths about the Romas.

  Myth: Gypsies and Travellers are work shy.

  Truth: Gypsies and Travellers often start work young. Traditional skills are passed down from generation to generation. There is a strong work ethic, based on the need to survive. Many Gypsies sacrificed their lives for this country in World War I and World War II.

  Have you seen Gypsies at work? What are some commonly known professions and occupations for them?

  Myth: All Gypsies live in caravans.

  Truth: Romani Gypsies and Irish Travellers are recognized ethnic minorities with their own culture, language and beliefs. Historically they lived nomadic lives, but now 90% of Gypsies across the world live in houses. Being nomadic is more common in Western Europe, but even there only 50% of Gypsies live in caravans. Gypsies also live in houses, but they take their culture indoors with them.

  What are your concerns associated with nomadic living?

  Myth: Gypsies are endowed with special supernatural powers, including the ability to curse and see the future.

  Truth: Some Gypsies may well have psychic powers, but no more than anyone else. But some myths can be turned to a community’s advantage. A nation without an army is forced to defend itself with curses and superstition. Some Gypsies have capitalized on this myth and earned a living telling fortunes, cultivating the mystery that has always surrounded Gypsy culture.

  Have you ever had your fortune told? Was the fortune teller a Gypsy?

  Have you or your children had your faces painted at a Renaissance Festival? Was she a Gypsy?