The first three books in this series were fantastic, and this one was no exception.
Our hero, Nicholas Shelby, is arrested.... for plotting to poison the queen (Elizabeth the first—the story is set in 1594) right from the start.
It seems that he's been slandered by a former medical colleague with whom he's had previous conflicts; in reality, Nicholas was the one who brought him down, so this is a retaliation tactic.
Nicholas is encouraged to leave the country for a while until his friends in high places can prove his innocence, rather than remain and face the gallows.
So he and his wife Bianca create a false trail, telling everyone they're going to France to avoid spies.
In reality, they travel to the lowlands, modern-day Holland, where they meet religious zealot Hella Maas at the scene of a double slaughter. So, after quickly leaving Den Bosch, Nicholas and Bianca embark on a pilgrimage to Rome, stopping in Padua, Bianca's hometown.They linger with Bianca's cousin Bruno in Padua and become drawn into his new money-making scheme.
Then Bianca finds out she's pregnant, but her joy is short-lived....
Hella Maas reappears, taking her omens of doom and gloom with her, determined to break the pair apart once more.
And who is this crazy guy from Den Bosch who has followed her all the way here?
It's very gripping!
I really appreciate it.
They agree to follow Hella because she seems to be in grave danger.
This turns out to be a poor decision on their part, as she spends the entire journey attempting to divide them.
Our hero, Nicholas Shelby, is arrested.... for plotting to poison the queen (Elizabeth the first—the story is set in 1594) right from the start.
It seems that he's been slandered by a former medical colleague with whom he's had previous conflicts; in reality, Nicholas was the one who brought him down, so this is a retaliation tactic.
Nicholas is encouraged to leave the country for a while until his friends in high places can prove his innocence, rather than remain and face the gallows.
So he and his wife Bianca create a false trail, telling everyone they're going to France to avoid spies.
In reality, they travel to the lowlands, modern-day Holland, where they meet religious zealot Hella Maas at the scene of a double slaughter. So, after quickly leaving Den Bosch, Nicholas and Bianca embark on a pilgrimage to Rome, stopping in Padua, Bianca's hometown.They linger with Bianca's cousin Bruno in Padua and become drawn into his new money-making scheme.
Then Bianca finds out she's pregnant, but her joy is short-lived....
Hella Maas reappears, taking her omens of doom and gloom with her, determined to break the pair apart once more.
And who is this crazy guy from Den Bosch who has followed her all the way here?
It's very gripping!
I really appreciate it.
They agree to follow Hella because she seems to be in grave danger.
This turns out to be a poor decision on their part, as she spends the entire journey attempting to divide them.