The Silent Songbird by Melanie Dickerson, 2016 Thomas Nelson Publishers
As the king's ward and cousin, Evangeline has lived a privileged life of luxury. She sings for the king's pleasure yet dreams of a life beyond the castle walls. When Richard II betroths his cousin to his closest advisor, Lord Shively, Evangeline can no longer stand for the life laid out for her.
Eva and her maid run away and hide among servants returning from the king's castle. Evangeline pretends to be mute, but regrets her deception as she grows closer to Westley leWyse, who she learns isn't just the servants' leader, but the son and heir of their lord.
The fleeing women take positions in the le Wyse household, but it soon becomes clear that Eva has no experience with the labor expected of a servant. When Westley discovers the pretty girl can read he helps her find a place in the household. His obvious favor does not make Eva friends among the servants or the daughters of the freemen. And their growing friendship tests the boundaries of propriety.
Lady le Wyse is concerned her son has fallen for an unsuitable young lady despite Westley's firm insistence that the two are only friends and will never be more. Though fond of the clever young woman, the lady wants the best for her son and believes there's much more to Eva than meets the eye.
When news of the king's missing ward reaches the le Wyse household Eva knows she must tell the truth. Her relationship with Westley sours when he is blindsided by her identity and the nebulous anxiety about Lord Shively reveals itself as something more sinister.
Eva and her maid run away and hide among servants returning from the king's castle. Evangeline pretends to be mute, but regrets her deception as she grows closer to Westley leWyse, who she learns isn't just the servants' leader, but the son and heir of their lord.
The fleeing women take positions in the le Wyse household, but it soon becomes clear that Eva has no experience with the labor expected of a servant. When Westley discovers the pretty girl can read he helps her find a place in the household. His obvious favor does not make Eva friends among the servants or the daughters of the freemen. And their growing friendship tests the boundaries of propriety.
Lady le Wyse is concerned her son has fallen for an unsuitable young lady despite Westley's firm insistence that the two are only friends and will never be more. Though fond of the clever young woman, the lady wants the best for her son and believes there's much more to Eva than meets the eye.
When news of the king's missing ward reaches the le Wyse household Eva knows she must tell the truth. Her relationship with Westley sours when he is blindsided by her identity and the nebulous anxiety about Lord Shively reveals itself as something more sinister.
Returning to England and the setting of her second Hagenheim story, Glynval, Dickerson weaves the expectations of medieval life with political intrigue to create this new installment of the Hagenheim series.
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