For bastard-born Robert FitzStephan, being given Eleanor d’Outremer in marriage is an honour. For Eleanor, this forced wedding is anything but a fairy tale.

Robert FitzStephan has served Edward Longshanks loyally since the age of twelve. Now he is riding with his king to once and for all bring Wales under English control.

Eleanor d’Outremer—Noor to family—lost her Castilian mother as a child and is left entirely alone when her father and brother are killed. When ordered to wed the unknown Robert FitzStephan, she has no choice but to comply.

Two strangers in a marriage bed is not easy. Things are further complicated by Noor’s blood-ties to the Welsh princes and by covetous Edith who has warmed Robert’s bed for years.

Robert’s new wife may be young and innocent, but he is soon to discover that not only is she spirited and proud, she is also brave. Because when Wales lies gasping and Edward I exacts terrible justice on the last prince and his children, Noor is determined to save at least one member of the House of Aberffraw from the English king.

Will years of ingrained service have Robert standing with his king or will he follow his heart and protect his wife, his beautiful and fierce Castilian hawk?

Excerpt – where Robert returns home to woo his wife

By the time he’d dismounted and ordered someone to see to the horse and his belongings, Noor was standing on the outer stairs leading to the hall, her hair covered by a veil. She led the way inside, to a table placed in front of the open hearth. After a full day in the saddle, Robert was cold and hungry, cradling the bowl of hot pottage in his hands.

“Why are you here?” Noor asked, sitting down at the other end of the table.

“Why?” He raised his brows. “Do I need an excuse to visit my home? My wife?”

“Your wife?” Her hand shook as she poured herself some of the mulled wine. “The entire world knows you prefer fair Edith to me. So why bother with me at all?”

“I’ll visit my home and my wife whenever it pleases me,” he replied. “Besides, I am here to consummate our vows. I wouldn’t want you to send more letters to Bishop Giffard.”

She flushed. Her chin went up. “And then what? Will you continue bedding her whenever it pleases you?”

He grimaced. “I’ll not cut her out of my life. Edith and I have known each other for more years than you’ve been on this earth.”

“So I must just accept it?”

He tore of a chunk of bread and chewed industriously for a while. “Aye. She’s always been there for me. When I’ve been wounded and ailing, when I’ve needed someone to hold me, she’s been there.” He shrugged. “You wouldn’t understand. You are too young to understand just how lonely life is at times.” He dipped his spoon in the pottage just as her goblet struck him full in the face. Robert cursed and leapt to his feet.

“Wife,” he growled, ducking as she sent the pitcher flying at him.

“I don’t know what it means to be lonely?” A fat tallow candle sailed past his head. “I’ve been lonely for most of my life! So what should I do when I am hurting, who should I turn to when I need someone to hold me close? While she is holding you, who is to comfort me and whisper that they care?” She had hold of an earthenware dish.

“Don’t,” he warned.

“If you intend to have her in your life, then it is only fair I have someone too. Maybe I can ask your dear friend John to share my bed while you share hers.”

John? “Don’t be ridiculous,” he snapped. “A wife who strays is nothing but a whore.” Over his dead body would he let John—or any man—come close to his wife, especially in her present agitated state, anger staining her face and neck a dusky red, dark eyes flashing as she lifted that dish she was holding.

“And what should we call a man who prefers his whore to his wife?” she asked. “What should we call a man who strays? A misbegotten cur?” She smashed the dish on the table, sending fragments skittering over the heavy oak boards and the floor beneath. “If you can’t countenance a life without her, then go back to her. But know this: I will never let you touch me unless you swear you’ll not touch her again. Ever.”

“What foolishness is this? A wife dictating to her husband?” A couple of swift steps and he was looming over her. “Not in my house.”

“Husband in name only,” she reminded him, refusing to back down. “But the situation is easily amended. All we need is an annulment and you are free to return to her, and I am free to go my own way.”

“Your own way? What sort of an innocent are you? Should there be an annulment, it would be but a matter of weeks before you’re wed elsewhere.” The thought sat badly with him—and not only on account of the lands.

“I would not mind. In difference to you, maybe a new husband would desire me and show me what you never have: affection and respect.”

That stung. “Best hope that new husband of yours doesn’t have an Edith to compare you with,” he said, regretting the words the moment they were out of his mouth. His hitherto blazing wife reeled back, eyes widening into dark pools of hurt.

“I hate you,” she told him before taking to her heels, running as if for her life from the room.

“Damnation,” he muttered, scrubbing a hand over his face. For a man determined to woo his wife, he had failed dismally.

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About the Author

Had Anna been allowed to choose, she’d have become a time-traveller. As this was impossible, she became a financial professional with two absorbing interests: history and writing. Anna has authored the acclaimed time travelling series The Graham Saga, set in 17th century Scotland and Maryland, as well as the equally acclaimed medieval series The King’s Greatest Enemy which is set in 14th century England.

More recently, Anna has published The Wanderer, a fast-paced contemporary romantic suspense trilogy with paranormal and time-slip ingredients. While she loved stepping out of her comfort zone (and will likely do so again ) she is delighted to be back in medieval times in her September 2020 release, His Castilian Hawk. Set against the complications of Edward I’s invasion of Wales, His Castilian Hawk is a story of loyalty, integrity—and love.

Find out more about Anna on her website or on her Amazon page. You can also follow her on Facebook or Twitter.