Forced to hide her identity when her parents are murdered, Eiry Savoy dons the hood of a thief as she seeks to accomplish two things--find her parents' killers and to empty every rich pocket passing through the Peake Forest bordering the Sherwood. Named Lady Thief by her fellow outlaws, she turns the tide of despair Prince John and his underlings have wrecked upon the peasants of Derbyshire. When her enemies come to close to taking away the family castle and her little sister, she realizes she needs a nobleman to deter the Sheriff of Derbyshire. Eiry writes to her godfather who suggests, unknowing her new line of employment, she hand Castle Sanctuary in guardianship to the Butcher of Acre.
Lucian Martine returns from the Crusades a much changed man. Haunted by what he had done in the service of Richard the Lionheart, he and his company seek their fortune through the lists and mercenary work, finding only the meanest of nobles willing to hire their swords. When William Pembroke offers him a castle and a bag of gold to become guardian of an eight year old girl, he accepts, wishing to retire from war. What he doesn't expect is to find the child living in a rundown castle with a comely maid and a defiant stable boy. To his surprise, he finds the locals more than wiling to help him, especially Eiry to whom many look to for leadership.
What would make the peasants and Eiry turn to the Butcher and flee from the Sheriff? Can Lucian find the strength to be the hero Eiry sees him to be? Will the Butcher have his heart stolen by Lady Thief or will he betray her to keep his honor? |
