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vivienne shannon books
BLACKWORK
When apothecary's daughter Joan leaves home to work in the still room at Belvoir Castle in Lincolnshire, she finds herself in a world where status is precarious and fortunes can be forfeited at a word.
She falls in love with Francis Manners, the second son of the household. But perhaps she should have listened more closely to his tale of Elaine, the Lily Maid of Astolat, who dies when her lover abandons her.
Based upon contemporary accoutns of the murder of Francis's son, this is a sweeping exploration of family life in the reign of James 1 of England.
Three women.
Beauty. Wealth. Love.
Blackmail. Vengeance. Murder.
These are their weapons.
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