On the Altar of England (Tudor Chronicles Book 4)
Page 47
She allowed her mind to drift back over those days, and she wondered vaguely how young Robert Dudley fared now he had gone to live in Spain, running away again after his legitimacy claim was denied by the Star Chamber. Lettice found it hard to believe of the young man she and Robin had helped, that he would try and deny her marriage. She smiled to herself, wriggling her toes towards the hearth again and stroking Puck’s silky ears gently.
As her eyelids drooped with the heat from the fire she felt a slight draught from the corner of the room and heard a rumble of a growl start in the back of Puck’s throat with the twitch of his ears. She absently ran her fingers through the fur at his neck to soothe him back to sleep.
Lettice, feeling inexplicably heavy and lethargic, forced herself to open her eyes and look towards the source of the chill. When she saw who stood there, her face lit up and she beamed excitedly, the years falling away and her beautiful face suddenly youthful again.
‘Hello, Robin.’
Author's Note
ettice died in her chair on Christmas morning, aged 91 in the manor house she had shared with her beloved grandson Robert, 3rd Earl of Essex. She had been involved in the lives of her siblings, children and grandchildren for the whole of her life. Her grandson honoured her request to be interred with her beloved Lord Robert and their son in Warwick.
If you have enjoyed this book, you might want to read the start of Lettice and Robert’s romance.
The Last Howard Girl – Tudor Chronicle Book 3
Henry VIII is dead and Elizabeth is at the court of her brother Edward VI. Tainted by the twin stains of illegitimacy and heresy, she meets and falls in love with Robert Dudley, himself almost ruined by rumours of treason and unfortunately married. When his wife dies in suspicious circumstances the way is clear for him to marry again. But can Elizabeth the Queen, beset on all sides by demands to marry for the benefit of England, follow her heart? And will Robert remain loyal and wait for her, or find another to share his life?
Also in the series;
In the Midst of Madness – Tudor Chronicle Book 2
Anne Boleyn is dead and with her the hope of power for the Howard family. Can pretty Kitty Howard tempt Henry VIII away from his political marriage to Anne of Cleves? Will Katharine Parr ever marry her first love Tom Seymour and will Meg, maid to the Howards, find out the clerk she loves is not quite who he seems.
The Secret – Tudor Chronicle Book 1
King Henry VIII of England fell in love with Anne Boleyn, divorcing Queen Katharine and changing the religion of the country in order to make Anne his wife. But what if Anne loved someone else? Upon returning to England after a girlhood spent serving at the court of France, Anne is astonished to catch the eye of Henry. Despite being in love with a man she can never marry, Anne is ordered by her powerful family to wed the King. Drawn into a court filled with intrigue and deception, can Anne keep the secret that, if discovered, will cost her life and the life of the one man she truly loves?