On the Feast of Stephen
[d-w13402]

5 of 5 Stars Ward of her uncle due to father and brother’s deaths, Lady Alisoun is about to wed an older man, by King John’s order. A striking stranger’s appearance weakens her knees. Their gazes lock and then he fled with a flurry of knights. Lady Alisoun leaves the feast and seeks the chapel, where she finds the handsome, black-haired stranger. Fickerwirth Christmas hospitality set the beginning scene and time of Advent. Kitt, also betrothed, searches for her at midnight mass in the parish church. Surprise! He’s the groom who replaces the deceased elderly man Alisoun had met. Raised by monks, the new lordship had come out of nowhere. He cannot forget the red-haired woman in gold. Lady Alisoun cannot get the stranger out of her head, but is encouraged on Christmas Day by her mother up from her sick bed. Enthralled, I read the story in one sitting, delighted by a “different” Christmas read.