Roses in the Mist

Two kidnappings dramatically affect the life of a young, orphaned, twelfth-century heiress. At age nine, Alecyn de Beauclaire is kidnapped by an earl so he can enjoy her income while she is growing up. Over the years she falls in love with a Saxon squire, also fostered in the earl's household. But their love is doomed, for Alecyn's only way out of the earl's castle is by gaining the attention of the king, separating her from Ranulf. And Ranulf is so poor it is unlikely he will ever be able to afford a horse and armor so he can become a knight. And even if he does, it could be years before he can distinguish himself enough to be given an heiress as a prize. Eventually, both Alecyn and Ranulf gain the attention of royalty, primarily through their skills as musicians while entertaining at the Christmas Court of Henry II and his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine. But, in spite of their personal advancement, conditions are still bleak for their romance. And then both Alecyn and Ranulf are kidnapped when French rebels attempt to capture the Queen. And, in the end, the young couple discovers that royalty can occasionally have a touch of compassion as well as humor and that dark clouds sometimes have silver linings. Note: real characters also include two famous sons (as children) of Henry and Eleanor, the King Richard and Prince John of the Robin Hood legend.