“Bartered Bride is carefully wrapped around the bones of the Baron’s Rebellion, which was led by Earl Simon de Montfort against King Henry III and Henry’s son, Lord Edward, who was to become King Edward I. London merchants were faced with potentially disastrous upheaval in their business. Although London supported Earl Simon in his quarrels with the king and served as one of his chief strongholds, several wealthy and influential London merchants chose to side with the Crown, instead.

Edward’s brutal conquest of Northampton is often considered the beginning of the war. Montfort’s victory at Lewes – a battle in which the ill-prepared Londoners were slaughtered under Edward’s ruthless pursuit – left both King Henry and the Lord Edward as his prisoners, but brought only temporary calm. Edward escaped the following year to lead his followers against Montfort in the decisive victory at Evesham, a battle that cost Earl Simon his life. London quickly capitulated to the king, then spent the next 35 years struggling to pay off the enormous fines levied on it.”

Lady Alyce Fitzmartin is to wed the arrogant London tradesman Robert Wardell. Their wedding is her father’s answer to his debts and Robert’s solution for business stability in these politically-treacherous times.

In a time when birth and class lines are rarely crossed, Lady Alyce becomes Mistress Alyce and struggles to build a life among her husband’s people. Those who were her peers, even her own family, now snub her, and she is set apart by those she lives among. Alyce makes up her mind that she wants more from this marriage and that she intends to make her place in Robert’s home, his business, and hopefully, his heart. Robert treats her well with the respect due a lady-wife and as his treasure to be protected. As a pawn in his business plan, he wishes her for “display” and heirs . . . he never figured on what he would do with her in between. Even if he had thought, love would not have been something he sought. He had loved his first wife who’s death in childbirth over 10 years earlier had shown him the danger of love. Somehow, though, love is growing between husband and wife . . . adding to their joys and pain amid the turmoil of the time.

Loyalties are tested by Robert’s unpopular stand to support the Crown and fund Edward. As a former noblewoman, Alyce is not exempt from the cruelties of either side. Her husband cannot help when her father and brother are captured in the battle of Northampton, and her father’s name is no protection when Robert’s home is stormed by the Earl’s men and she is beaten and brought to the Earl’s stronghold with her husband. Earl Simon’s respect for Robert Wardell does not afford protection, but it does allow for release from the prison to return to their home. When King Henry and Lord Edward are captured and all of London celebrates, Robert swears that he will do everything he can to assure that she does not suffer from his alliances.

This story has the “happy ending” for these lovers, which I consider necessary for an entertaining story, even though it is not a “lite read.” The romance is woven through the story in a believable manner, and the historical facts are written as part of the story experience, and not a “discussion between characters.” This book is a well thought out and well-written story that I am pleased to recommend to history lovers as well as romance readers.