Forsaking All Other

A historical novel set in England in 1585. Bess Stoughton waiting woman to the well-connected Lady Allingbourne has discovered that her father is arranging for her to marry an elderly neighbour. Normally obedient Bess rebels and wrests from her father a years grace to find a husband more to her liking. Edmund Wyard a taciturn and scarred veteran of Englands campaign in Ireland is attempting to ignore the pressure from his family to find a suitable wife as he prepares to join the Earl of Leicesters army in the Netherlands. Although Bess and Edmund are drawn to each other they are aware that they can have nothing more than friendship. Bess knows that Edmunds wealth and family connections place him beyond her reach. And Edmund with his well-honed sense of duty has never considered that he could follow his own wishes. With England on the brink of war and fear of Catholic plots extending even into Lady Allingbournes household time is running out for both of them.