The Widow's Kiss by Jane Feather

                       The time of Henry VIII has been an interest of mine probably ever since I began to learn about it.  Now that I have watched the television show The Tudors, I am especially fascinated.  Thank you, Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Henry Cavill.  When my mother told me about a book series that touches on Henry VIII and the time after his reign, I was excited to give it a try.  The Widow’s Kiss starts off the series.  

                Lady Guinevere Mallory is recently widowed; for the fourth time.  Throughout these four marriages, Guinevere has used her great legal mind to not only inherit, but also keep quite a sum of land.  Living with her are her two daughters from a husband she loved dearly and devoted servants she has had throughout her life.  Her most recent husband was a drunken brute, creating an uneasy life.  When he dies by falling out a window, it appears Guinevere can breathe easily again and bring her life back to normal.  There is just one unforeseen problem, Guinevere is about to be accused of murder.

                Hugh of Beaucaire believes Guinevere has land that should be rightly his.  He is of the belief that Guinevere’s first husband did not have the right to give the land to her upon his death and that it should go to Hugh’s son instead.  Determined to get this land, Hugh brings Guinevere’s situation to the attention of Thomas Cromwell, the Lord Privy Seal.  Cromwell is not happy with a woman having so much land, power, and independence.  He wastes little time figuring out, to Hugh’s delight, how to take everything from Guinevere.  The decision is made to convict Guinevere of murder for the deaths of her husbands.  Cromwell sends Hugh to Guinevere’s home to “investigate” and bring Guinevere back to London for trial.  Hugh is set to his task, but he discovers some surprises along the way.

                Upon arriving at Guinevere’s residence, Hugh finds himself and his son welcomed into her home.  While there he discovers how intelligent Guinevere is and finds himself falling in love.  Despite these feelings, Hugh brings Guinevere back to London to be put on trial for murder at Henry VIII’s court.  It is during this time of trial that Hugh proposes marriage.  While Guinevere has feelings for Hugh as well, and it would seem this is a marriage of love, it comes at a cost.   

                Hugh drives me crazy.  In so many ways I feel as though he never fully understands or sees who Guinevere is.  He does not take the time to know why her way of life is so important to her.  However, as much as Hugh drove me crazy, it was nothing compared to how much I like Guinevere and the other characters from her household.  Guinevere is a strong, independent woman who stands up for those she loves and what she believes in.  She is kind to her life-long servants, treating them like family, and they would do anything for her.  These are all things I like to see and they were great elements to a very good book.