Daughter of Mystery (A Novel of Alpennia (1))

Margerit Sovitre did not expect to inherit Baron Savezes fortuneseven less his bodyguard, a ruthlessly efficient swordswoman known only as Barbara. Wealth suddenly makes Margerit a highly eligible heiress and buys her the enmity of the new Baron. He had expected to inherit all, and now eyes her fortune with open envy. Barbara proudly served as the old Barons duelist but she had expected his death to make her a free woman. Bitterness turns to determination when she finds herself the only force that stands between Margerit and the new Barons greed. At first Margerit protests the need for Barbaras services, but soon she cannot imagine sending Barbara away. And Barbaras duty has become something far more hazardous to her heart than the point of a sword. But greater dangers loom than one mans hatredthe Prince of Alpennia is ill. Deadly intrigue surrounds the succession and the rituals of divine power known as The Mysteries of the Saints. Heather Rose Jones debuts with a sweeping story rich in intrigue and the clash of loyalties and love. Margerit Sovitre did not expect to inherit the Baron Saveze's fortunes--and even less his bodyguard. The formidable Barbara, of unknown parentage and tied to the barony for secretive reasons, is a feared duelist, capable of defending her charges with efficient, deadly force. Equally perplexing is that while she is now a highly eligible heiress, Margerit did not also inherit the Saveze title, and the new baron eyes the fortunes he lost with open envy. Barbara, bitter that her servitude is to continue, may be the only force that stands between Margerit and the new Baron's greed--and the ever deeper layers of intrigue that surround the ill-health of Alpennia's prince and the divine power from rituals known only as The Mysteries of the Saints. At first Margerit protests the need for Barbara's services, but soon she cannot imagine sending Barbara away--for reasons of state and reasons of the heart. Heather Rose Jone debuts with a sweeping story rich in intrigue and the clash of loyalties and love Margerit Sovitre Did Not Expect To Inherit The Baron Saveze's Fortunes, And Even Less His Bodyguard. The Formidable Barbara, Of Unknown Parentage And Tied To The Barony For Secretive Reasons, Is A Feared Duelist, Capable Of Defending Her Charges With Efficient, Deadly Force. Heather Rose Jones.