LADY BESIEGED

The action of this historical novel takes place in the England of Richard II and concerns the efforts of the Lady Delysea to manage the affairs of Redesley Castle while her husband is away fighting for John of Lancaster. She hopes to make the impoverished estate pay and to better the lot of the serfs. She must contend with the bailiff, Tom Watt, left in charge by her too-trusting husband, Sir Henry, and a Lady Isabella, wife of Sir Henry's heir, Sir Guy. A mysterious knight appears, Sir Alan Broadman, on an equally mysterious mission- and she falls in love with him. There is a raid by the Scots and a murderous attack by Tom Watt: Sir Alan leaves the castle to become involved in the political fortunes of the young king; Sir Henry returns from the wars and dies; and finally Delysea is free to return to London, successful in the tasks she has set herself and ready to be wooed and won by Sir Alan. The book has an accurate background, a plausible if predictable plot, and is successful period entertainment.