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Pestilence
The Second Wife
Early in 1348 the people of England went about their daily lives fairly peacefully. King Edward III had caused few problems so far and a new middle class of wealthy tradesmen was growing.
Charlotte is the eldest daughter of one of those wealthy tradesmen, a man who loves his family and wants to give them the best his new found wealth can afford, despite opposition from local noblemen. What he does not expect is that one of those noblemen will ask for Charlotte to be his countess.
She agrees and is delighted with Lord Robin, Earl of Eversley, even though she guesses his first reason for marrying her is as a stepmother to his damaged daughter. But she comes to love Genevieve and she comes to love him. Everything is perfect until people begin to grow sick and die, their skin turning black and making the priests think them possessed. The disease gradually creeps over the land, a disease which terrifies the populace as they struggle to discover how it is spread and decide who is to blame. It kills within two days, and it spreads so quickly it seems that no one can escape it.
The disease will be forever known as the Black Death but Charlotte does not know that; all Charlotte knows is that the happiness she has found could be stolen away as the plague sweeps closer to her and the people she loves.
Charlotte is the eldest daughter of one of those wealthy tradesmen, a man who loves his family and wants to give them the best his new found wealth can afford, despite opposition from local noblemen. What he does not expect is that one of those noblemen will ask for Charlotte to be his countess.
She agrees and is delighted with Lord Robin, Earl of Eversley, even though she guesses his first reason for marrying her is as a stepmother to his damaged daughter. But she comes to love Genevieve and she comes to love him. Everything is perfect until people begin to grow sick and die, their skin turning black and making the priests think them possessed. The disease gradually creeps over the land, a disease which terrifies the populace as they struggle to discover how it is spread and decide who is to blame. It kills within two days, and it spreads so quickly it seems that no one can escape it.
The disease will be forever known as the Black Death but Charlotte does not know that; all Charlotte knows is that the happiness she has found could be stolen away as the plague sweeps closer to her and the people she loves.
- GenresHistorical Romance
230 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 4, 2016
11 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Brazear
79 books22 followersMargaret Brazear was born in 1948 in London where she remained until she married in 1968. Ever since she can remember, she has always had a vivid imagination, making up little scenarios and stories. Her maternal grandmother was Romany and her first full length book, The Romany Princess, is loosely based on the stories that her mother used to recount.
Margaret started writing some thirty years ago, but family and events got in the way until she found Amazon.
Website http://www.margaret-brazear-kindle-au...
Email margaret-brazear@sky.com
Margaret started writing some thirty years ago, but family and events got in the way until she found Amazon.
Website http://www.margaret-brazear-kindle-au...
Email margaret-brazear@sky.com
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 23, 2022
Historical romance set in 1300’s amid bubonic plague outbreak between Lord Eversley (Earl/Robin) and Lady Charlotte (new money/commoner). The title is a bit misleading, Charlotte is the second wife, but Robin has no love for his ex-wife Annabel. All the OW drama comes from his former mistress Imogen.
The book opens with Robin asking for Charlotte’s hand. He has an intellectually and developmentally disabled daughter (described as Down Syndrome but she also had lung/breathing problems) that needs care and has noticed Charlotte is very patient with her younger siblings.
Robin is very kind and VERY (almost unbelievably) patient with Charlotte’s gauche ways. I would expect her to be feeling somewhat appreciative of receiving the attentions of the handsome dude way beyond her station, but she’s quite demanding/overstepping and puts her foot in her mouth repeatedly and publicly makes him look bad several times.
There’s minimal drama/conflict for the couple, but I still was entertained… until around 82% when the plot veered off into the black death portion and slowed WAY down.
The writing is solid, but I’m not sure how historically accurate it is. I’m not super knowledgeable on the ins and outs of the 14th century. Specifically, Robin annulling his marriage after consummation and having a child… or Charlotte’s tendency to be so opinionated and outspoken or her ignorance with social norms/expectations… or Imogen openly having affairs and having access to enter their home unwelcomed with staff everywhere.
Bottom Line- Ok, but not very dramatic… the crazy mistress helps. It’s a quick read which made the lackluster plot more bearable. Robin was quite likable, but I struggled with Charlotte a bit… although her unwillingness to ever take the high road was refreshing.
The book opens with Robin asking for Charlotte’s hand. He has an intellectually and developmentally disabled daughter (described as Down Syndrome but she also had lung/breathing problems) that needs care and has noticed Charlotte is very patient with her younger siblings.
Robin is very kind and VERY (almost unbelievably) patient with Charlotte’s gauche ways. I would expect her to be feeling somewhat appreciative of receiving the attentions of the handsome dude way beyond her station, but she’s quite demanding/overstepping and puts her foot in her mouth repeatedly and publicly makes him look bad several times.
There’s minimal drama/conflict for the couple, but I still was entertained… until around 82% when the plot veered off into the black death portion and slowed WAY down.
The writing is solid, but I’m not sure how historically accurate it is. I’m not super knowledgeable on the ins and outs of the 14th century. Specifically, Robin annulling his marriage after consummation and having a child… or Charlotte’s tendency to be so opinionated and outspoken or her ignorance with social norms/expectations… or Imogen openly having affairs and having access to enter their home unwelcomed with staff everywhere.
Bottom Line- Ok, but not very dramatic… the crazy mistress helps. It’s a quick read which made the lackluster plot more bearable. Robin was quite likable, but I struggled with Charlotte a bit… although her unwillingness to ever take the high road was refreshing.
April 4, 2017
A well written story. 1348 when bubonic plague devastates the country. Two brave people come together in marriage, survive the bubonic plague and pick up their lives again. There is so much more in this book, it is not one to be skim read.
Although the subject matter is grim it was a great book to read.
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Although the subject matter is grim it was a great book to read.
Signed up for author’s newsletter to receive a free copy of the book.
June 11, 2018
This is a good story.
Ex drama.
Ex drama.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews