Abbess Helen of Meizerling, widow of the Earl of Valcourt, is reputed to be a witch. She sells her daughter to be wed to Jason of Brennan, an evil young man. To avoid her frightful marriage, Marianna de Luce de Mornay chooses to flee disguised as a boy. Kidnapped as she sneaks from the castle, Merry is rescued by Lord Garron, the new Earl of Wareham, but she again escapes. Arriving at Wareham, Garron finds total slaughter and only a handful of his people alive. Following Garron and his men to the keep, Merry receives help inside and poses as the slain priest's bastard daughter.

Clever and ambitious Merry endeavors to set the castle to rights and restore the morale of the survivors. Upon learning that Merry is truly the Valcourt heiress, Garron decides to take her to the king. Not being able to convince Garron to marry her and keep her at Valcourt, Merry seduces him to force him into marriage, thus avoiding her marriage to Jason. Merry is abducted and kept prisoner by her mother while she weaves her magical web of deceit. Miraculously, Merry is returned and everyone in the keep sees that she is different. Helen suddenly appears to bargain and win her way using her daughter, who is now agreeing with her. Garron cannot believe Merry has done a complete about face, until the witch's secrets are uncovered.

This medieval story set in England has some surprises mixed with a little magic and mystery. The ending is a complete surprise when the twisted web of intrigue is finally revealed. Merry is a warm, caring and resilient heroine who falls in love with the handsome hero. Be prepared to magically jump from one scenario to another with no idea of how you got there. The suspense continues throughout the entire story, page to page. This is a "do not miss" story set in a unique time and place with an intriguing plot.

Book Summary

Set in medieval England, this lively historical romance delivers the trademark wit that fans have come to know and love from the #1 New York Times-bestselling author.

When Garron of Kersey returns home from the king's service to claim his title as Baron Wareham, he's shocked to find Wareham Castle very nearly destroyed by a man called the Black Demon.

According to the last starving servants still clinging to life inside the castle walls, the Black Demon was looking for gold belonging to Garron's brother Arthur. Among his remaining servants is the enigmatic Merry, the bastard child of the castle's priest. Garron quickly realizes that she is much more than a servant: She reads and writes and makes lists, just as he does. Together they bring Wareham back to its former splendor.

But this is only the beginning. Did Arthur have a cache of gold? Who is the Black Demon? And the biggest question of all: Who is Merry?

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