The author, Isolde Martyn, is an historian, and in her degree with honors, specialized in Yorkist England. In The Lady And The Unicorn, her knowledge shines through, and I enjoyed all the tidbits scattered throughout, plus the language is medieval enough to give you a real “feel” for the time period.

With the exception of very minor characters, all Martyn’s characters were actual people of the period, even her two main players—although they are not commonly fictionalized. Margery is the illegitimate daughter of Warwick the Kingmaker, and Richard Huddleson acts as King Edward IV’s receiver.

The story opens in March 1470 as Warwick’s army is retreating from defeat by Edward IV. Margery has only recently been accepted back into the company of Warwick’s family after spending six years in a nunnery for having an affair with the notorious, but charming, Edward IV. Warwick’s wife treats her as one would expect, and even the Kingmaker himself does not, at first, openly claim her. Hence she is truly at the mercy of her guardian, being natural born, and now, with her reputation sullied. She cares little for her besmirched name and desires only freedom of choice.

Richard Huddleson has been ordered to bring Margery to Southampton by Edward, the King, as he plans to use her to bring his wayward brother, George, back on side. Huddleson nurses an old crush for Margery and old wounds of jealousy toward Edward, who he feels has stolen Margery from him. Margery, on the other hand, isn’t sure she has even met Richard before, and when he uses force to collect her for Edward, her feelings toward him are ill indeed. In an attempt to rein her defiance and obtain a measure of obedience from her, he humiliates her. He succeeds, however, in having her hate him with full force.

Although pleased to see Edward again, Margery observes a changed man, no longer the one she fell in love with all those years ago. Still able to wield the charm, he suggests a deal that she can not refuse. The offer of an annuity would mean independence to Margery. All she has to do is deliver some letters to Edward’s brother and her father, now in exile. She agrees and soon is on a boat to join her father and his family.

Furious when he discovers Marjory has escaped him again, Richard soon follows her. He is concerned at the position in which Edward has put Marjory, believing it far more dangerous than the King has divulged. When they meet in the French court, Marjory is horrified to discover Huddleson has not only asked permission for her hand in marriage, but her father has gladly granted it. She is flabbergasted to find Richard will not listen to reason, so she does her utmost to see the wedding does not take place. Unfortunately, as was typical for a woman of the age, she comes to realise she has no choice in the matter. Warwick is keen to be rid of his defiant, wayward daughter and Huddleson appears eager to oblige him in return for a healthy dowry.

Margery can not understand why Richard has seemingly abandoned his place in Edward’s court to be amongst the attainted. It soon becomes clear that his plans and motives are not the only ones she can’t trust. What appeared a fairly simple request from Edward has in fact thrown Margery into a deadly game of political intrigue. When Warwick pledges allegiance to Henry VI’s wife and her son Edouard the games truly begin, and Margery finds her life in grave danger. The letters she holds could now mean a hangman’s noose around her neck. There is no one she can look to for help; not her father, and even her husband’s loyalties are in doubt because she has no idea to which tune he plays. Everything depends on her choosing correctly; England’s future, the recently gained respect of her father, and the love she is beginning to feel for Richard.

This story is a “must-read” for anyone who, like myself, loves this time period. It has wonderful detail, a complex plot, and enthralling characters. My guess is we will see a lot more novels from Isolde Martyn.