King's Greatest Enemy

Adam de Guirande owes his lord, Roger Mortimer, much more than loyalty: he owes Lord Roger for his life and all his worldly goods; he owes him for his beautiful wife-even if Kit is not quite the woman Lord Roger thinks she is. So when Lord Roger rises in rebellion against the king, Adam has no choice but to ride with him-no matter the ultimate cost. England in 1321 is a confusing place. Edward II has been forced by his barons to exile his favorite, Hugh Despenser. The barons-led by the powerful Thomas of Lancaster, Roger Mortimer, and Humphrey de Bohun-have reasons to believe they have finally tamed the king. But Edward is not about to take things lying down. Adam fears his lord has overreached, but he has other matters to concern him-first and foremost, his new wife, Katherine de Monmouth. His bride comes surrounded by rumors concerning her and Lord Roger, and Adam hates it when his brother snickers and whispers of "used goods." Kit has the misfortune of being a perfect double of Katherine de Monmouth-which is why she finds herself coerced into wedding a man under a false name. But domestic matters become irrelevant when the king sets out to punish his rebellious barons and the Welsh Marches explode into war. Soon Lord Roger and his men are fighting for their very lives. When hope splutters and dies, when death seems inevitable, it falls to Kit to save her man-if she can. The first in Anna Belfrage's new series, In the Shadow of the Storm is the story of a man torn apart by his loyalties to his lord, his king, and his wife.

Adam de Guirande has barely survived the aftermath of Roger Mortimer's rebellion in 1321. When Mortimer manages to escape the Tower and flee to France, anyone who has ever served Mortimer becomes a potential traitor-at least in the eyes of King Edward II and his royal chancellor, Hugh Despenser. Adam must conduct a careful balancing act to keep himself and his family alive. Fortunately, he has two formidable allies: Queen Isabella and his wife, Kit. Late in 1323, England is a place afflicted by fear. Now that the king's greatest traitor, Roger Mortimer, has managed to evade royal justice, the king and his beloved Despenser see dissidents and rebels everywhere-among Mortimer's former men, but also in the queen, Isabella of France. Yet again, Kit and Adam are forced to take part in a complicated game of intrigue and politics. Yet again, they risk their lives-and that of those they hold dear-as Edward II and Mortimer face off. And yet again, England is plunged into war-but this time it will not end until either Despenser or Mortimer is dead.

Adam de Guirande has cause to believe the turbulent times are behind him. Hugh Despenser is dead, and Edward II is forced to abdicate in favor of his young son. It is time to look forward to a bright new world in which the young king, guided by his council, heals his kingdom and restores its greatness. But the turmoil is far from over. England in the early months of 1327 is a country in need of stability, and many turn with hope toward the new young king, Edward III. But Edward is too young to rule, so instead, it is his mother, Queen Isabella, and her lover, Roger Mortimer, who do the actual governing, much to the dislike of barons such as Henry of Lancaster. When it is announced that Edward II has died in September of 1327, what has so far been a grumble grows into voluble protests against Mortimer. Yet again, the specter of rebellion haunts the land, and things are further complicated by the reappearance of one of Adam's personal enemies. Soon enough, he and his beloved wife Kit are fighting for their survival-even more so when Adam is given a task that puts them both in the gravest of dangers.

After Henry of Lancaster's rebellion has been crushed, a restless peace settles over England. But the young Edward III is no longer content with being his regents' puppet, and soon enough Adam is torn between his loyalty to the young king-and that to his former lord, Roger Mortimer, now co-regent and effective ruler of England. Edward III is growing up fast. No longer a boy to be manipulated, he resents the power of Mortimer and his mother, Queen Isabella. His regents show little inclination of handing over their power to him, the rightful king, and Edward suspects they never will unless he forces their hand. Adam de Guirande is first and foremost Edward's man, and he too is of the opinion that the young king is capable of ruling on his own. But for Adam siding with his king causes heartache, as he still loves Roger Mortimer, the man who shaped him into what he is. Inevitably, Edward and his regents march toward a final confrontation. And there is nothing Adam can do but pray and hope that somehow things will work out. Unfortunately, prayers don't always help.

England in the early 1320s is a restless place. Edward II's barons are disgruntled by his preference for Hugh Despenser, and in 1321 Roger Mortimer rebels against his king. With Baron Mortimer rides Adam de Guirande, Mortimer's most loyal man. But when Edward II strikes back, things look uncomfortably dark for Adam, who finds himself a prisoner-and abandoned by everyone but his wife. Mortimer is defeated and locked up in the Tower. Some years later, however, he is back, now with the support of the king's wife, Queen Isabella of France, and with the king's very young heir, the future Edward III, in tow. Yet again, where Mortimer goes, there goes Adam-and his beloved wife.