The Herb Knot
By Jane Loftus
Audiobook Narrator: Matt Addis
The Hundred Years’ War comes to life in this spellbinding tale of love, betrayal and conspiracy …
A quest born on the battlefield will change a young boy’s destiny…
Rafi Dubois is five years old when his mother is murdered after the Battle of Crecy in 1346. Alone and lost, Rafi is given a token by the dying Englishman who tried to save his mother’s life: a half-broken family seal which he urges Rafi to return one day to Winchester.
Years later, when Rafi saves a wealthy merchant’s wife from a brutal robbery, he is rewarded with the chance to travel to England, taking the seal with him.
But when he reaches Winchester, Rafi finds himself in a turbulent world full of long-held allegiances, secrets and treachery. His path is fraught with danger and with powerful enemies working against him, Rafi falls in love with Edith, a market apothecary. But in doing so, Rafi unleashes a deadly chain of events which threatens to overwhelm them both…
The Herb Knot is a sweeping and passionate novel set in one of the most tumultuous times in English history, from a powerful new voice.
Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/bzN6Z2
Please enjoy an excerpt from The Herb Knot:
The workshop was so far removed from Van Loo’s room in Ghent it was like another world entirely. The lodgings for the apprentices were as good as the ones Van Loo shared with his wife and family. Tidier and cleaner, two sweeping brushes, a pail for water, mattresses held on shelves on the wall so that the dust from daily toil didn’t cling to them.
Roger was inside and scowled at him as he entered.
‘Adam! Cedric! Find somewhere to put this creature and be quick about it. If he’s not at work by the time I get back, I’ll dock you both a day’s pay and kick your arses for good measure. Get to it.’
Adam made a crude gesture at the door Roger slammed behind himself.
‘Just like before, eh?’ Adam said.
It was very like before, even down to the items held on the large table in the centre of the room, which he had seen before in another life. The colours were beautiful, golden and red and luscious. He saw the weaving of Mathys and the stitching of Vincent in every cut of fibre.
‘Well, look at you. Very fancy!’ Adam grinned. ‘But for the love of St Ann take that ridiculous cap off.’
Rafi patted the velvet and pretended to consider. ‘No.’
‘You are becoming vain. And it makes you look like a juggler.’
‘And what sort of juggler wears a velvet cap like this?’
‘A bad one.’
‘This is indeed fancy.’ The young apprentice, Cedric, walked around Rafi, appraising all angles. ‘And what is this? A new badge?’ He patted Rafi’s doublet. ‘Well.’ He sucked the breath between his teeth. ‘This is new livery. Well stitched.’
‘How about you finish with that yellow dress that is still sitting there doing nothing of any merit?’
Adam pointed over Cedric’s shoulder at the fabric on the table.
Cedric tutted. ‘It belongs to the mistress and I do not know how to do it justice. I need to think carefully. It is quality.’
‘You could get twenty hats out of that. Good ones.’
‘Don’t be so foolish.’ Cedric snorted.
‘It is wonderful.’ Rafi stroked it.
‘It is indeed fine!’ Cedric batted Rafi’s hand away. ‘So kindly leave it alone. It is as well I unpicked the pearls from the neck before that brute over there spent them in the Hellhole.’
Rafi and Adam exchanged glances while Cedric went back to the door Roger had slammed shut. It opened onto the shopfront where Cedric could keep an eye on passing custom. ‘Don’t let him make you do all his work,’ he said, taking the dress with him into the shop.
Adam nodded at Rafi. ‘He is easy to tease but in fairness, he is a genius with a bodkin.’
Adam checked that the door was closed behind Cedric, then the latch on the door to the yard outside. He pulled at the window shutters, fixing and unfixing the clasp several times. When he had finally satisfied himself that the room was secure he pushed Rafi into the corner, as far away from any entrances as possible.
They were surrounded by boxes and crates, ells of broadcloth, chalon blankets folded and stacked on top of each other. Adam paced to and fro, biting on his lip so hard that he drew blood. What had happened since Cedric had left the room? This sour mood was very sudden.
Jane Loftus gained a degree in 16th Century European and British history from Surrey before taking a postgraduate degree in modern political history. As a lone parent, she worked in Winchester Waterstones before returning to IT once her son was older. Hugely passionate about the Middle Ages, she drew inspiration for this novel from the medieval layout of Winchester which has been painstakingly documented.
Jane is originally from London but has lived in Winchester for over twenty years. When not writing, she is usually out walking or watching costume dramas on Netflix – the more medieval the better. She also plays far too many rpgs.
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