This was a very enjoyable historical novel set in Yorkist England. The main character, Anne Harrington, is an heiress whose father and grandfather died when she was five years old, at the Battle of Wakefield, fighting with Richard, Duke of York. Elizabeth Ashworth speculates that she may have been the mistress of Richard III, and mother of his two illegitimate but acknowledged children, John and Katherine.

The novel begins almost ten years later. Anne, and her sister and co-heiress, Elizabeth, are living in Hornsby Castle with their two uncles although Edward IV granted their wardship to Thomas Stanley. The uncles, determined to keep the inheritance in the Harrington family, have refused to relinquish the girls. In this book, the girls are sympathetic to their uncles' position and frightened of falling into Stanley's hands, which is believable, given their youth and rearing from a young age by the uncles. Richard III, then Duke of Gloucester, comes to their aid. Seeing that there is an attraction between Anne and Richard, the uncles arrange for her to become his mistress, and they remain intermittently in contact and have two children, although Richard makes it clear that he means to marry a much wealthier wife.

At the readaption of Henry VI, Stanley seizes the change to besiege Hornby Castle and captures the two girls. Anne shortly finds herself married to his fifth son, Edward and goes to live with him at Hornby. They have a marriage in name only, which is a trifle unbelievable, but they work out an affectionate relationship while Edward falls in love with Anne's maid.

In case you don't know anything about Richard III, I won't give the ending.

The book builds some interesting and sympathetic characters, although not without flaws. Although I can believe that Anne and Elizabeth accept it, their beloved uncles are bilking them out of their inheritance. Anne Neville is very likeable, lovingly accepting Anne Harrington's children, and even making friends with her. Richard himself is interestingly portrayed. I can believe in the attraction that Anne has for him, but doesn't cover up the ruthlessness that was probably characteristic of most men of his age. His accepting Anne as a mistress is part of this, but he refuses to touch her if she isn't willing. He marries for money, but is faithful to his wife. It is strongly implied that he may well have killed Henry Vi and his own nephews, but Anne unwillingly accepts these as horrible necessities. I don't quite buy Anne's final decision with regard to her husband, but that is a small matter; although she doesn't say so, the alternative is also difficult. ( )