Guildford, 1626 'He'll lead this country to disaster if he gets his hands on enough money ...' From the sanctuary of Alice Jerrard's crumbling home, High Stoke, the deadly schemes at the heart of the court of King Charles I seem very far away. But a carriage accident on the nearby road to London has filled her home with stranded passengers, and with them comes a hunt for a dangerous cargo. Lord Hardcastle and his companions may be carrying more than just domestic items from Paris. And Lord Buckingham, adviser to the new King of England, is relentless in his pursuit of a treasure which could unseat Charles's young French queen. Alice must be on her guard - for the battlelines are being drawn, and someone in her household is dreaming of betrayal ... The fourth page-turning mystery, filled with royal intrigue**READER REVIEWS**'Couldn't put it down ... A fantastic read'Mesmerising'Couldn't put it down!'Authentic detail carefully crafted ... absorbing'