THE DARK KNIGHT – Elizabeth Elliott
Bantam
ISBN: 978-0-553-57567-5
July 2012
Historical Romance

England, 1293

Mordecai, the magician, serves King Edward. One of his operatives is known as ‘The Assassin.' Mordecai saved and raised Venetian Dante Chiavari since the boy's escape from an uncle who murdered his family to steal the inheritance. He summons Dante to abduct Avalene de Forshay, great-granddaughter of the Welsh Prince Llewellyn, and a person whose marriage could change the volatile situation along the Welsh border. Avalene's father, Baron Weston, has arranged a marriage to Faulke Segrave, whose previous three wives have met early deaths. Mordecai knows that if Faulke can prove his future heir holds Llewellyn's blood, the family will sway other Marcher lords to rebel against King Edward. Dante accepts the assignment, but before he carries out his mission, he has another in Venice…to kill his uncle.

Her father's brother has fostered Avalene for years, and his wife, Lady Margaret, has tried to teach Avalene how to be a proper chatelaine. Lady Margaret seldom sees the good Avalene accomplishes at Coleway castle, while Lady Margaret's brother, John, the castle's steward, harasses and torments her niece. When Sir Cedric arrives to take Avalene to her father and an arranged marriage, she is surprised at the lengths her aunt will take to keep her at the castle, with plans to marry her disgraced niece to her brother John.

Avalene is a long way from Coleway before she learns the handsome Sir Cedric, the man she believes she loves, the man who rescued her from drudgery at Coleway, is not her father's man at all, but the king's, a man sent to destroy her forthcoming marriage. Her reputation is ruined, and her future in dire jeopardy.

Dante Chiavari is indeed ‘THE DARK KNIGHT.' After his lie and deception to Avalene, the woman he discovers he loves, Dante has a very long journey to prove to her that, although his reputation is tarnished, he is a trustworthy man. Her father, Faulke Segrave and his family, even King Edward will stand in his way. Most of all, he must overcome Avalene's reluctance. THE DARK KNIGHT is an intriguing look into the Plantagenet world. The characters are interesting and the intrigue exciting. The Tarot cards Mordecai uses help guide the chapters to a satisfying conclusion. Medieval romance readers will enjoy THE DARK KNIGHT.

Robin Lee