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| About the Book |
THE COLOUR OF
RUBIES
Murder lurks at the heart
of the royal court in the rabbit warren of the Palace of Westminster. The year
is 1480. Treason is afoot amongst the squalid grandeur and opulent filth of
this medieval world of contrasts. Even the Office of the King’s Secretary hides
a dangerous secret.
Meeting with lords and
lackeys, clerks, courtiers and the mighty King Edward himself, can Seb Foxley
decipher the encoded messages and name the spy?
Will Seb be able to
prevent the murder of the most important heir in England?
All will be revealed as
we join Seb Foxley and his abrasive brother Jude in the latest intriguing
adventure amid the sordid shadows of fifteenth-century London.
Praise for Toni Mount's The Colour of Rubies
Tony Riches, author of The Tudor Trilogy “An evocative masterclass in storytelling.”
Carol McGrath, author of the She-wolves trilogy “I was utterly transported - It’s superb”. “What a plot. What characters. Perfect pitch”.
“I loved the relationship between Seb and Jude”.
“The Colour of Rubies is a totally immersive experience as richly stitched as one of King Edward IV’s gorgeous tapestries. This cleverly plotted novel with its twists and turns will keep a reader page turning late into the night until the book’s final scenes. Sebastian and Jude are wonderfully realised personalities with similar emotions, concerns, fears and hopes we have have today. Their medieval London felt real and intriguing to me with unexpected dangers lurking in alleyways. I felt as if I was walking in Sebastian’s footsteps. With this thrilling novel Toni Mount has shown herself a master of medieval suspense. More please”.
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| Read An Excerpt |
'My Lord Hastings,' Jude said, sketching a hasty bow that was little more than a bob, although he did have grace enough to remove his hood, leaving his clerk's coif in place. 'My brother, Sebastian Foxley – who is known to you – requires speech with you, urgently... and privily, sir.' Jude shoved Seb forward before retreating in haste to a board where ale jugs and cups stood ready.
Seb went on one knee, baring his head, awaiting a response – if there was to be one, other than his instant removal by his lordship's servants or the guards summoned to cart him off to some filthy dungeon in the bowels of the palace. He imagined the worst but Lord Hastings only snorted his disapproval.
'Well, at least you have better
manners than the oaf who accompanied you. Get up,
Foxley, and tell me what can possibly be so urgent that you require an audience without the proper procedure and civilities.'
Seb stood, realising everyone in the Great Hall was observing the spectacle of a scruffy clerk demanding an audience with the Lord Chamberlain.
'F-forgive me, my lord. I apologise for this ill-mannered intrusion but 'tis a matter of some import... regarding certain... m-matters of, er, consequence.'
Seb bit his lip. He was sounding like a lack-wit.
Lord Howard grinned at him, came down the steps from the dais and clapped him hard on the shoulder.
'Never expected to see an honest
citizen such as my favourite artist in this den of
iniquity. How do you fare, Foxley?'
The grey-haired lord leaned close.
'Watch yourself, Seb,' he said under his breath.
'Come away, Thomas,' he waved to the bald man. 'Let's leave Will to his privy business. I'll show you that fine new gelding of mine; put him through his paces. What say you?'
With that, Lord Howard and his companion, departed.
Arms folded across his belly, Hastings looked at Seb and sighed, as though such lowly persons were a constant irritant and vexation, like gnats on a summer's eve, spoiling an otherwise-pleasant day.
'Follow me,' he said after a lengthy silence during which Seb grew hotter and increasingly anxious. The chamberlain came down the steps and led the way to a door set off to one side of the dais, concealed behind a fine tapestry, pausing to let a servant lift it away so they could pass through, unimpeded. The chamber beyond gave the air of magnificence but Seb had no chance to admire the sumptuous luxuries. His eyes did not stray from Hastings' velvet- and fur-clad back.
Hastings' flung himself into a cushioned chair – almost grand enough for a throne – signed to a waiting servant to bring him wine and then sent the fellow away, telling him to stand beyond the door and admit none but the king himself.
Seb swallowed in panic. The king? Edward... in person! But the king did not come, to Seb's immense relief. Hastings crossed his legs, displaying silken hose of thrush-egg blue, and sipped his wine, keeping Seb on tenterhooks, waiting and fretting as the minutes stretched out.
'So... who murdered that clerk? Thank God it has taken but a week to find him out. Name the rascal and I'll see him hanged before sunset.' Hastings set down his wine cup and picked at a hang-nail.
'Well? I don't have all day to wait upon your answer. Tell me.'
'I f-fear, my lord, I cannot name the miscreant but –'
'Then don't waste my time. Get out!'
'But I have this, my lord.' Seb held out the crumpled page of the Italian letter, his acrostic version and his neatly written message, translated from the Italian as best he and Jude could achieve.
'What are these? Pleas for more money? I paid you at the beginning sufficient for two months' work, at least.'
''The first is a letter my brother discovered, left by accident among papers in the scriptorium. 'Tis encoded in a cipher, my lord, in the Italian tongue. I solved the code and we – my brother and I – have made it out into English and think you may have concerns regarding it.'
Hastings snatched the papers and squinted at them. His eyes were, mayhap, not so good for reading small writing any longer.
'You invented this.' He shook the paper bearing Seb's version of the code in English: Alliance with Scotland ended. Edward to invade. France alliance with Scotland.
'Nay. As I shall attempt to explain, I worked it out. The original letter, as you see, is in the form of an acrostic and we...'
'A what?'
'A word puzzle, my lord. The first letters of each line spell out words anew. But they are in Italian, of course. We have translated them.'
Hastings was only interested in the English, not knowing other tongues save French and some little Latin.
'How could you know of these matters? They have been discussed in council by the king and his closest advisors only. How did you learn of these intentions? You have been listening at doors. Are you an espier? An intelligencer?'
'Nay, I did but unravel the meaning of the cipher. If there be any truth in what I have written there, it has been uncovered by a very real espier; not by me.'
Toni Mount is the author of
several successful non-fiction books including How to Survive in Medieval
England and the number one best-seller, Everyday Life in Medieval England. Her
speciality is the lives of ordinary people in the Middle Ages and her enthusiastic
understanding of the period allows her to create accurate, atmospheric settings
and realistic characters for her medieval mysteries. Her main character, Sebastian
Foxley is a humble but talented medieval artist and was created as a project as
part of her university diploma in creative writing. Toni earned her history BA
from The Open University and her Master’s Degree from the University of Kent by
completing original research into a unique 15th century medical
manuscript.
Toni writes regularly for both The
Richard III Society and The Tudor Society and is a major contributor to
MedievalCourses.com. As well as writing,
Toni teaches history to adults, and is a popular speaker to groups and
societies.
Praise for Toni Mount's Sebastian Foxley Medieval Murder Series
Tracy Borman, historian and broadcaster “An atmospheric and compelling thriller that takes the reader to the dark heart of medieval London.”
Matthew Lewis author of Richard III Loyalty Binds Me “Toni Mount continues to delight with the superbly crafted Seb Foxley mysteries. Impeccable research and sculpted characters combine with an engaging narrative to create another irresistible story. This series goes from strength to strength, and I’m already looking forward to the next instalment”
J.P. Reedman, author of the I, RICHARD PLANTAGENET series: “Sebastian Foxley is the Cadfael of the 15th century”.
“The Sebastian Foxley Medieval Mystery Series by Toni Mount is not only filled by dastardly murders and gripping intrigue but contains many well-researched historical facts from the Wars of the Roses era”
Samantha Willcoxson, author & historian “Toni Mount is simply brilliant”.
“If you love CJ Sansom’s Matthew Shardlake (and I do) you will love Toni’s Sebastian Foxley”.
“From learning how a 15th century scrivener created illuminated manuscripts to venturing within the dank tunnels beneath the Tower of London, Toni is an artist who completely immerses the reader in another time and place and always leaves one eager for the next book.”
Stephanie Churchill, author of historical fiction and epic fantasy “Leave it to Seb to unravel another international spiderweb of intrigue, betrayal, murder, and deceit. Our flawed, loveable hero has done it again. And at the end of it all, his future is looking brighter than ever. I cannot wait to find out what happens to him next!”
Sharon Bennet Connoly, author and medieval historian “A beautifully crafted mystery that brings the dark, dangerous streets of medieval London to life. Toni Mount is a magician with words, weaving a captivating story in wonderful prose. The Colour of Evil is, to put it simply, a pleasure to read.”
Rosalie Gilbert, medieval historian and author “The author's knowledge of medieval history shines through the narrative in the small details which enhance the story woven into it. The details about the inside workings of medieval trade practices lent themselves perfectly for a background to murder and deceit”.
“Recommended for lovers of historic fiction.”
Joanne R Larner author of Richard Liveth Yet trilogy: “I always look forward to a new 'Colour of...' book. I can't wait to see what escapades Seb Foxley and his brother, Jude, get up to next. They, and all the characters, are endearing and colourful. The books are always well written, conjuring 15th century London into the reader's mind and the plots are excellent!'
Mel Starr bestselling author of the Hugh de Singleton chronicles: “If I believed in reincarnation I would be willing to think that Toni Mount lived a previous life in 15th century London. The scents, the sights, the tastes of the late Middle Ages are superbly rendered.”
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books written by Helen Hollick
Website: https://helenhollick.net/
Amazon Author Page: https://viewauthor.at/HelenHollick
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set in a north London Library in the 1970s |
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