GOLDEN CARGOES

A wedding invitation plunges Ursula Stannard into one of her oddest adventures.

Although 1589 finds Queen Elizabeth's illegitimate half sister in her 50s, Ursula’s unusual life as a spy has kept her younger than her years. Now she's traveling to Evergreens, a house she's rented to Mistress Joan Mercer, accompanied by her manservant, Roger Brockley, and his wife, Fran Dale, who are more than servants, as well as her son, Harry, and her adopted son, Ben. Joan’s daughter, the beautiful Arabella, is betrothed to Master Sylvester Waters, a wealthy neighbor, but refuses to marry him because she’s in love with Gilbert Gale, a talented local carpenter whose status is nothing compared to Waters'. Arabella refuses to listen to Ursula’s advice; only a severe beating from Joan makes her go through with the wedding. Joan’s sons have done well as captains of ships, though some of the items they own seem much more valuable than their business would account for. Ursula, who never shies away from mysteries, is soon investigating both the sons and a village vendetta against Mother Lee, whose potions help alleviate Joan’s headaches but make her suspect as a witch. Soon after information on piracy is reported at court, Ursula and her friends are looking in earnest for a place where valuables may be hidden. Then Mother Lee is murdered, and Arabella’s marriage gets even unhappier when Waters finds that she’s with child by Gilbert. The mysteries are related and unveiled in an unexpected conclusion.

The charming spy again gives good value as she unearths secrets in an Elizabethan context.