Counterpoint: Henry, the King's Cavalier

by Elizabeth St. John

SHORT STORY

A man may think his life is only measured by battles fought for the king. Until he meets a woman worth fighting for.

Henry Wilmot. Cavalier. Seasoned soldier. Grieving widower. On the eve of battle he is sent by the king to requisition arms. What he did not expect was that the supplies were a gift from a feisty and attractive widow who was hiding her own Royalist beliefs in plain sight. Even more alarming was that his quest took him into the heart of an enemy Parliamentarian household. Will Henry survive the fight of his life? And will Nan remember him if he does?

A counterpoint is a melody played in conjunction with another, or an opposing viewpoint in an argument. Our lives are complex, and each one of us carries within us a counterpoint to another’s story.

This is a counterpoint to Nan, from Written in Their Stars.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Short Stories, 17th Century

43 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 27, 2020

About the author

Elizabeth St.John’s critically acclaimed historical fiction novels tell the stories of her ancestors: extraordinary women whose intriguing kinship with England's kings and queens brings an intimately unique perspective to Medieval, Tudor, and Stuart times.

Inspired by family archives and residences from Lydiard Park to the Tower of London, Elizabeth spends much of her time exploring ancestral portraits, diaries, and lost gardens. And encountering the occasional ghost. But that’s another story.

Follow me on bookbub at https://www.bookbub.com/authors/eliza...


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Reviews

[Christine Cazeneuve · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best of the three

I enjoyed this quick short story better than the other two. I really liked the main character and the plot and pace were well written.

[Cryssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite characters in Written in their Stars was Nan Wilmot and every scene where she appeared with her Royalist husband, Henry, their chemistry sizzled off the page. Imagine how happy I was to read their earlier story in this Counterpoint! I’m thoroughly bewitched! This novelette is a prequel that takes us back to the early days of the English Civil War when Nan and Henry first met and in such a characteristic way—resorting to subterfuge on behalf of the king. The writing is flawless, and both characters are absolutely endearing! Henry’s dedication to the king is combined with his unease for having to fight his countrymen. Nan is typically capable and spirited. I love them both now even more. Without a doubt, this is my favourite Counterpoint so far, and it makes me want to reread the companion novel.

[Helen Hollick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth St John has written an accomplished and very successful trilogy, based on the true lives of her ancestors during the turbulent times of seventeenth-century England. In addition, she has produced three 'counterpoints' told by characters whose point of view is not presented in the novels. It's a brilliant idea and works really well. I've read all three novels and this is the second of the counterpoints I've had the pleasure to read, but I approached it as if coming to these stories for the first time and so I can confidently say that the cleverness is in the way that you can absolutely read these counterpoints before or after you read the novels and, in fact, (and here's the acid test) you could read them as standalones.

This is described as a short story but I'd say it's slightly longer and may be edging towards a novelette. I'm not sure of the word count but I certainly didn't feel 'short-changed'. In addition, the first chapter of Written in their Stars is included at the end, a nice added bonus.

This definitely doesn't feel like a missing chapter from the novel, rather it reads as a story in its own right. We meet Henry just at the point where he meets Lady Lee (whom readers of the other stories will know as Nan) and on the eve of the confrontation at Edge Hill, which was the first pitched battle of the civil wars. This is the point where the strife and skirmishes become outright war, and both Henry and Nan are all too aware of this and what it will mean. The danger of their situation adds a piquancy to their meetings and it was the perfect backdrop for this companion story, giving high drama to the piece. Henry is presented as a rounded character, thoughtful, clearly attracted to Nan but also, crucially, a man of his time. And that means having to be a soldier. He may not like what he has to do, but he does it anyway. Nan is unusual for her time, something Henry reflects on, but she is not (nor is she in the novels) a stock, 'feisty' woman, but one who thinks carefully and acts intelligently.

Read this after Written in their Stars, or before. But either way, you will enjoy Ms St John's style of writing and her skilful world-building.

Reviewed for Discovering Diamonds

[Tim]

Gripping English Civil War Action and Adventure

Dashing Colonel Wilmot survives the carnage of Edge Hill in England's bloody civil war, only to be mocked by the aloof Prince Rupert. Despite the needle, he accepts King Charles's request to clear his route to Oxford. There is much in this teaser novella, including a tense game of hide and seek, a daring rescue and some flirting with Lady Lee. The appetite is truly whetted for more civil war action, adventure and romance from this promising historical series. Bravo!

[Cynthia Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much better than the other novellas since it gives you more details than the trilogy

[Rosie Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a prequel to “Written in the Stars” which takes us back to the early days of the the English civil war the story is told by Colonel Henry Wilmer in his own words