Book description
Josse D'Acquin and the Abbess Helewise are appalled by the views of the
fanatical new priest, Father Micah, but are even more horrified when his
body turns up by the side of the road. Whatever his methods he was a man
of God. And, when it appears that a band of evangelical heretics, who
Micah condemned to the stake, might be behind his death, the Abbess is
divided by her compassion for their suffering and her duty to the
church. When Josse realises that his desires to save the heretics she
cannot possibly condone, he is forced to act against her wishes, risking
the greatest friendship he has. For the Abbess, her friendship with
Josse is deepening the longer he stays at the abbey, as is her awareness
of his attractions as a man. Meanwhile Joanna, Josse's former lover,
lives hidden in the forest with their baby girl, Meggie. Joanna
continues to learn the skills and secrets of the pagan forest people but
it is only at her initiation that she realises what mysterious powers
have been unleashed. Despite their wisdom however the forest people are
both feared by and vulnerable to outsiders. When Joanna nurses an
injured woman back to health, she and Meggie find themselves in mortal
danger
