download your copy and begin the unforgettable tale of André and Devon Raveneau that begins my Rakes & Rebels: The Raveneau Family series.
Once again, my heartfelt thanks for your support and friendship. I welcome your comments and suggestions, and I hope that you’ll write to me at Cynthia@CynthiaWrightAuthor.com. I promise to reply!
Warmest wishes,
~ Cynthia
~ Author’s Note ~
After spending time with Lennox MacLeod in my other Scottish books, it was a joy to finally be able to write his story for you. I hope you enjoyed it!
It was a treat to revisit the Isle of Skye in this newest book, and also to take you to Stirling Castle. During both my visits to Stirling, in 2017 and 2019, I became increasingly fascinated by the history of tapestry making that is on display at the castle. I was so pleased to be able to introduce you to Nora Brodie, my heroine who aspires to be a master weaver.
Also at Stirling Castle, there is a wonderful exhibit of the Stirling Heads—the wooden medallions of famous people that decorate one of the ceilings. I have a post about both the tapestries and the “heads” on my Pinterest board.
Last time I was in Scotland, we spent a few days in Oban on the west coast, and we took the ferry to Duart Castle on the Isle of Mull. It was pouring rain, but I fell in love with the castle and its history all the same. I’ll include some images on my Pinterest board.
It was so much fun to return to Tudor London and reunite with Andrew, Micheline, and Cicely from OF ONE HEART in this book! If you haven’t read Andrew & Micheline’s love story, please page ahead to read an excerpt and download your copy today.
I’ll be returning to 19th century Cornwall in the coming year, to revisit the marriage of Justin & Mouette St. Briac from HIS MAKE-BELIEVE BRIDE. I’m excited to cause some trouble for Justin—and see how their son, Anthony, is doing as he enters manhood. Stay tuned!
Thank you again for reading my books and spreading the word to your friends. I appreciate you more than you can imagine.
Your grateful author,
~ Cynthia Wright
Cynthia Wright says: Unhappy to be forced into an arranged marriage with a young French widow, Andrew, the Marquess of Sandhurst, conceives a bold masquerade. Disguised as a humble portrait painter, he travels to the French court of François Ist to have a look at his would-be bride…
Of One Heart
Crowns & Kilts: The St. Briac Family, Book 2
Prologue
And wilt thou leave me thus,
And have no more pity
Of her that loveth thee?
Helas! thy cruelty!
And wilt thou leave me thus?
Say nay! say nay!
– Sir Thomas Wyatt (1503-1542)
Amboise, France
September 10, 1532
“Bernard Tevoulère pitted against Arnaud Guerre in the tournament!” exclaimed Aimée de St. Briac to her husband. “Everyone knows of Bernard’s affair with Elise Guerre. It’s madness for him to joust against her husband!”
Thomas Mardouet, seigneur de St. Briac, drew off his helm and took a chair beside his wife in the gallery of the king’s château at Amboise. Below them was spread the courtyard, where a day-long tournament was in progress. St. Briac had just finished his own joust, teamed with King François against two of their other childhood friends. This was all harmless fun and exercise as far as Thomas was concerned, but Aimée did have a point about Bernard Tevoulère and Arnaud Guerre.
As they waited for the two men to take their places on the field, St. Briac’s penetrating turquoise eyes gazed southward over the dreamy Loire River that lay far below King François’s magnificent château. As boys, he and the king had played at jousting here. Now they were men but their friendship endured and so did the games.
Other games—the inevitable feuds and intrigues that permeated so large a court—hadn’t changed either. Thomas and Aimée spent most of their time at their château, happiest in that world fashioned around their children, home, and vineyards. However, these visits to court were necessary. King François missed his old friend, and it did Aimée good to socialize, but there were drawbacks. The most current example was the joust they would soon witness between the feckless Bernard Tevoulère and his enraged rival, Arnaud Guerre.
“I saw Bernard while preparing for my own match,” St. Briac told Aimée softly, running a hand through his damp hair. “He’s deteriorated sharply since our last visit to court. His new life as chevalier to the king has only weakened his character. He was drinking wine and