It is and Eustace de Lamont is back in England after five years in exile. Lionel is serving King Edward as a page when Eustace appears at court. In October of , Wales rises in rebellion. Except that Eustace has no intention of allowing his duty to his kingβor a mere rebellionβcome between him and his desire to destroy Robert FitzStephan. Anna Belfrage is back with the fourth and final instalment of her The Castilian Saga series, Their Castilian Orphan , and it is another tearjerker.
Robert and Noor have certainly had their ups and downs. It has not been easy, serving Edward I and his formidable queen, Eleanor of Castile. They have their scars, both mental and physical.
Robert has also had to deal with the stigma of illegitimacy and the malice of his jealous brother. Eustace might be legitimate, and a baron, but Robert is the better soldier who has earned the respect of his peers because of his abilities. That irks Eustace β especially when everyone is keen to compare the brothers and find Eustace wanting. He was halfway down the long flight of stairs leading to the hall when he heard someone call his name.
Mama came flying towards him, and moments later he was enveloped in her arms, his face squished against her bosom. She released him and clasped him by the shoulders. If he stood on his toes, the top of his head reached her brow. Lionel shuffled on his feet. Lionel blinked. Never had he heard Mama sound so vicious. And then he saw how Papa settled his arm round her, whispering something in her ear, and her stance softened.
Lionel moved closer to her. Of course. Mama was afraid. With Eustace de Lamont back, she feared for her husband.
