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FACE DOWN BEFORE REBEL HOOVES
by Kathy Lynn Emerson
Kensington, April 2003
283 pages
$5.99
ISBN: 0758203632


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

In 1569, Catholic conspirators in England were hoping that Pope Pius V would officially excommunicate Queen Elizabeth I of England to justify Roman Catholic subjects replacing her with a Catholic, Mary Queen of Scots. Until such time, plans were fomenting for the takeover.

Sir Walter Pendennis, loyal diplomat and intelligence gatherer for Elizabeth I has served queen and country well over the years, and is eager to return from Augsburg to his estate in Cornwall. His wife, Eleanor, has other plans. Her willful ambition that her husband retain his post causes friction in their household and arguments ensue. One evening, as they leave for church services, she storms ahead into the road, oblivious to her surroundings. Her husband hesitates behind, allowing her cool her heels. When he catches sight of her, he also sees danger: a farm wagon at top speed is careening into her path. He calls out, but she ignores him. In a last instant, she turns to see the danger, screaming as the horses hooves trod upon her and the heavy wagon crushes her into the road.

The horrified Walter calls for assistance to carry his dying wife to their home. Seeing her bandaged injuries, he wonders not only if she will survive but will she want to live her life as a permanent cripple. Pondering the two fates, he hears Eleanor's faint words, asking for his forgiveness. Before he can reassure her there's nothing to forgive, she whispers a confession. ³I have betrayed you, Walter. And England.² To his amazement, she offers the proof in a hidden oilskin packet among her papers. She was to deliver it to the rebel forces on a future journey to the north of England.

Stunned and angry, Walter's loyalty to the crown takes precedence over love for his wife, as he realizes quickly what he must do. He will conceal the extent of her injuries from public knowledge and put her plan into effect and infiltrate the conspirators¹ camp. For this he needs a new ³wife² to take up the task. And who else but the renowned and loyal Susanna, Lady Appleton, his wife's friend. He would appeal to her loyalty to the queen to win her compliance. Failing that, he would remind her that he had once saved her life.

Convincing a stunned Susanna was not as difficult as facing the objections of her friend and lover, Nicholas Baldwin. Furious (and a little jealous) he begs her to refuse. Torn between hurting him and helping her country, Susanna plays down the danger. None of these conspirators knew Eleanor by sight, so there was only to wear her wardrobe, and carry a small packet along with her herbal remedies. Nick knows he cannot defeat the headstrong Susanna so he decides on protection by stealth. As a successful merchant, he can travel, speak with pub patrons, and keep an eye on her safety from a distance. She need never know. As the journey progresses, Susanna quickly realizes that being "Lady Pendennis" will take more than fancy clothes and some personal knowledge of Eleanor. She must determine friend from foe, all the while praying that no one who might recognize Eleanor will cross her path. One false step would cost not only her life but could further the rebel cause. In this novel, Susanna is a genial but clever character who uses more than her own bravery and common sense to solve a murder. She will seek help from the lowliest maid to her best friend in order to ferret out the truth, making her a believable sleuth. This novel brings history to life with interesting characters, some who twist and turn along with the plot. Although this is part of a series, the book works well on its own. The author hints just enough at previous events to stimulate curiosity rather than cause confusion. This reader will definitely look for the first books in the series, eager to meet the characters again in their earlier adventures.

NOTE: Fans of Kathy Lynn Emerson will be pleased to know she is launching a new historical series in March 2004. DEADLIER THAN THE PEN features Diana Spaulding, ³an intrepid nineteenth-century journalist² as the eager sleuth.

Reviewed by Tess Allegra, November 2003

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