Devil's Consort

Devil's Consort
Anne O'Brien

Anne O’Brien’s new novel, Queen of the North, is available to pre-order nowEngland’s Forgotten Queens‘Anne O’Brien has joined the exclusive club of excellent historical novelists.’ - Sunday Express ENGLAND'S MOST RUTHLESS QUEEN. July, 1137. In the baking sunshine of Bordeaux, Eleanor, Duchess of Aquitaine, eagerly awaits her first meeting with the prince who will become her husband.But Louis Capet is no fit match for educated, independent Eleanor. When he inherits the throne of France, it becomes clear that his monastic ways and indecisive rule could cost him his country – and his marriage.Determined to rule her own lands, Eleanor leads the men of Aquitaine on Crusade. The march to Outremer will make her the most scandalous woman in all of Christendom.And one chance meeting between Eleanor and Henry Plantagenet will change the fate of England – forever…Hers is a story of power, political intrigue, passion and love.Praise for Anne O’Brien:‘One of the best writers around…she outdoes even Philippa Gregory’ The Sun‘Her writing is highly evocative of the time period… O’Brien has produced an epic tale’ Historical Novel Society‘Anne O’Brien’s novels give a voice to the “silent” women of history’ Yorkshire Post‘Once again O’Brien proves herself a medieval history magician, conjuring up a sizzling, sweeping story’ Lancashire Evening Post‘An exciting and intriguing story of love and historical politics. If you enjoy Philippa Gregory and Alison Weir you will love Anne O'Brien’ We Love This Book‘A brilliantly researched and well-told story; you won’t be able to put this book down’ Candis‘A fast paced historical drama that is full of suspense.’ Essentials

Devil’s Consort

ANNE O’BRIEN

All the characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author, and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all the incidents are pure invention.

All Rights Reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises II B.V./S.à.r.l. The text of this publication or any part thereof may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, storage in an information retrieval system, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the prior consent of the publisher in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

HQ is an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd

Published in Great Britain 2011.

HQ

1 London Bridge Street

London

SE1 9GF

© Anne O’Brien 2011

ISBN 978-1-4089-3583-5

Version: 2018-07-18

About the Author

ANNE O’BRIEN taught History in the East Riding of Yorkshire before deciding to fulfil an ambition to write historical fiction. She now lives in an eighteenth century timbered cottage with her husband in the Welsh Marches, a wild, beautiful place renowned for its black and white timbered houses, ruined castles and priories and magnificent churches. Steeped in history, famous people and bloody deeds, as well as ghosts and folklore, the Marches provide inspiration for her interest in medieval England.

Visit her at www.anneobrienbooks.com (http://www.anneobrienbooks.com)

Also by ANNE O’BRIEN

THE SHADOW QUEEN (https://www.harpercollins.co.uk/9781474050739/the-shadow-queen/)

THE QUEEN’S CHOICE (https://www.harpercollins.co.uk/9781474032537/the-queens-choice/)

THE KING’S SISTER (https://www.harpercollins.co.uk/9781474007481/the-kings-sister/)

THE SCANDALOUS DUCHESS (https://www.harpercollins.co.uk/9781472010391/the-scandalous-duchess/)

THE FORBIDDEN QUEEN (https://www.harpercollins.co.uk/9781472010230/the-forbidden-queen/)

THE KING’S CONCUBINE (https://www.harpercollins.co.uk/9781408969816/the-kings-concubine/)

DEVIL’S CONSORT (https://www.harpercollins.co.uk/9781408935835/devils-consort/)

VIRGIN WIDOW (https://www.harpercollins.co.uk/9781408927953/virgin-widow/)

Table of Contents

Cover (#ucc32ec1f-73bb-5f07-a728-de28050712f2)

About the Author (#ub7a77f1f-0ce0-5b35-87d2-d7176b76ea79)

Title Page (#u31037e23-0d2f-5b73-ad0d-b9c7a247ce1e)

Copyright (#u22f94b17-75e0-5064-8b7e-d12d86a5433f)

Dedication (#ubd634330-e43f-5998-b8f8-395aa8327b12)

Acknowledgements (#u02bc8bba-66e9-5f04-9ff1-f4913957898c)

Chapter One (#udc450e4c-d5b3-5112-ba43-2faeb677144b)

Chapter Two (#ucfcc4886-0987-51a0-8fd0-ea14301d7b48)

Chapter Three (#u830f02bc-265e-5525-814d-759255c8257e)

Chapter Four (#u2177fbe0-8451-5875-9d23-697fe8ffc3f9)

Chapter Five (#u1935761b-561a-5d61-9360-a61cf383fc5f)

Chapter Six (#uaaf35a64-2442-50ed-a7a7-ab092f51dad5)

Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)