Book Title:  A Splendid Defiance

Series:  Roundheads & Cavaliers

Author:  Stella Riley

Publication Date: 6^th December 2012

Publisher:  Stella Riley

Page Length:  371 pages

Genre:  Historical Fiction / Historical Romance

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Book Title and Author Name:

A Splendid Defiance

Stella Riley

Audiobook performed by Alex Wyndham

Blurb:

For two years England has been in the grip of Civil War.  In Banbury, Oxfordshire, the Cavaliers hold the Castle, the Roundheads want it back and the town is full of zealous Puritans.

Consequently, the gulf between Captain Justin Ambrose and Abigail Radford, the sister of a fanatically religious shopkeeper, ought to be unbridgeable.

The key to both the fate of the Castle and that of Justin and Abigail lies in defiance.  But will it be enough?

A Splendid Defiance is a dramatic and enchanting story of forbidden love, set against the turmoil and anguish of the English Civil War.

Excerpt 9

Visist From A Prince

Justin spent the afternoon in the Globe Room at the Reindeer Inn. It was a pleasant room but, as far as Justin was concerned, it might as well have been a coal cellar.  He sat broodingly in a corner and found a sardonic enjoyment in the wary glances accorded him by the other customers.

He did not, however, get drunk and this was fortunate because, at just past five o’clock, the door was flung wide to admit the King’s nephew.  Silence engulfed the room.

Rupert strode across to push Justin unceremoniously back into his seat with a curt, ‘Are you sober?’ 

‘Yes, sir.  I can’t afford to be anything else.’

With a derisive grunt, the Prince threw himself inelegantly into a chair and waved the pot-boy aside.

‘Then it’s not a completely ill-wind that keeps our pay in arrears.  And at least you have boots.  Two of my fellows were actually sharing a pair at one point.  The whole army is living off the country and discipline is going to the dogs.’  He scowled at this thought for a moment and then looked back at Justin.  ‘They told you I was coming?’

‘Yes.  In order that we might ‘nurture our vices together’ was, I think the exact expression.’  Justin paused and then, with a brief, contemptuous gesture, ‘They think so, at any rate.  Or is it that they’ve finally recognised you?’

‘Who cares?’ Rupert’s indifferent gaze skimmed the room and sent at least three stalwarts edging towards the door.  ‘If I took to the bottle every time filth was thrown at me, I’d never be less than half-cut.’

‘No, sir.  Point taken.’

‘I hope so.’  The dark eyes examined him shrewdly. ‘Do you want me to take you out of here?’

The blood rose under Justin’s skin and he said flatly, ‘There’s nothing I’d like better.  But I’d be no use to you, sir.  I can’t hold a sword yet, or even stay in the saddle more than a few hours.  And I know the pace you set.’

‘Needs must,’ shrugged Rupert.  ‘But when the Parliament fields their new army, I’ll need all my best captains – so get yourself fit.’ 

‘Yes, sir.’ Justin stared into his ale-cup.  ‘What will you do now that Shrewsbury has fallen?’

‘Use Ludlow.’ Rupert scowled again.  He’d depended on his brother Maurice to hold Shrewsbury and its loss was a sore point.  He said tersely, ‘I’ve some news for you.  Your father died at the end of last month.’

A muscle moved in Justin’s jaw.  Then his eyes hardened and he said, ‘I see.  Thank you for telling me.’

‘Well, no one else is in a position to, are they?’ observed the Prince trenchantly.  ‘What will you do?’

A strange smile crossed the chiselled features.

‘The same as I’ve done these last ten years, Your Highness.  Absolutely nothing.  I won’t even get drunk.’

Buy Link:

Universal Buy Link:  https://books2read.com/u/bPzVNd

Author Bio:

Winner of four gold medals for historical romance and sixteen Book Readers’ Appreciation Medallions, Stella Riley lives in the beautiful medieval town of Sandwich in Kent.

She is fascinated by the English Civil Wars and has written six books set in that period. These, like the 7 book Rockliffe series, the Brandon Brothers trilogy and, most recently The Shadow Earl, are all available in audio, performed by Alex Wyndham.

Stella enjoys travel, reading, theatre, Baroque music and playing the harpsichord.  She also has a fondness for men with long hair – hence her 17th and 18th century heroes.

Author Links:

Website: https://stellarileybooks.co.uk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RileyStella

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stellariley.books

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stellarileybooks/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/riley9631/stella-riley-books/

Book Bub:  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/stella-riley

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stella-Riley/e/B0034PB7UU/

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40487661-a-splendid-defiance