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Book Title and Author Name:
The Herb Knot
By Jane Loftus
Audiobook Narrator: Matt Addis
Blurb:
The Hundred Years’ War comes to life in this spellbinding tale of love, betrayal and conspiracy …
A quest born on the battlefield will change a young boy’s destiny…
Rafi Dubois is five years old when his mother is murdered after the Battle of Crecy in 1346. Alone and lost, Rafi is given a token by the dying Englishman who tried to save his mother’s life: a half-broken family seal which he urges Rafi to return one day to Winchester.
Years later, when Rafi saves a wealthy merchant’s wife from a brutal robbery, he is rewarded with the chance to travel to England, taking the seal with him.
But when he reaches Winchester, Rafi finds himself in a turbulent world full of long-held allegiances, secrets and treachery. His path is fraught with danger and with powerful enemies working against him, Rafi falls in love with Edith, a market apothecary. But in doing so, Rafi unleashes a deadly chain of events which threatens to overwhelm them both…
The Herb Knot is a sweeping and passionate novel set in one of the most tumultuous times in English history, from a powerful new voice.
Excerpt 2
The oars were being readied as Rafi ran to the workshop. They would push against the side of the quay and propel the cog into the middle of the Leie, which would join with the Scheldt. Then, they would be in open water. He did not have much time.
Jacob was in the workshop, parading around in a new hat. ‘What do you think?’
‘Where is Van Loo? Has he left for the guild yet?’
Jacob nodded sulkily towards the office. The room still reeked of yesterday’s herring. How many times had Rafi lain his head on a pillow, rank with the fingertipped scent of eel or cod; or pulled on breeches that reminded him of yesterday’s supper? This room held the imprint of their daily lives, layer upon layer. It clung to their clothes and spoiled their sleep. It had suffocated him.
Van Loo was at his desk, hitting the sleeve of his cloak with a book. Rafi had told his master repeatedly not to place the candle so close when he worked. The flame had finally caught on Van Loo’s clothes and now the fine russet wool was scorched.
‘What is it?’ said Van Loo, inspecting the damage.
The boat would leave soon. There was no time for prevarication. ‘I am come to bid you farewell. It . . . it is my intention to . . . leave with Adam.’
Van Loo narrowed his eyes. ‘What’s got into you, Dubois? I have just raised you and you repay me with this foolish joke?’
‘It is no joke.’
Van Loo threw the book at Rafi’s head. ‘Clerk not good enough for you, eh? You ungrateful boy.’
Good enough? After five years of service, spying on foreign merchants in the marketplace – which none but him could do – acting as a ledger clerk already? No, it was not good enough. It was nowhere near good enough.
‘I am better than a ledger clerk. And you know it!’
Van Loo hauled himself to his feet, a small spiral of smoke rising from his sleeve. ‘I own you, boy, don’t you forget that. You’ll clean the privy for the rest of this week, and the next.’
‘You don’t own me anymore.’ Rafi placed three florins on the table in front of his master.
Van Loo stared at the coins on the table, then his eyes darted to Rafi’s belt. ‘And you expect that to recompense St Michael’s for your loss? And me?’
Rafi hadn’t expected it at all. He’d deliberately pitched his offer low. Van Loo would always want more.
‘Here.’ Rafi tossed two more florins onto the pile. ‘St Michael’s debt, in full. No doubt you can replace me easily enough. I am cheap at the price after all.’
Van Loo swung his fist towards Rafi’s braiel, hoping to clutch the purse, but he wasn’t quick enough. Rafi was already heading towards the workshop exit.
‘You could have left and I would never have known!’ Van Loo stood in the doorway to his office, furious. ‘St Michael’s would not have suffered. I pay them to say prayers for my eternal soul. I have invested too much to stop now. You have lost your money for nothing, Dubois. Maybe you are not as clever as I thought you were.’
‘Then you are well rid of me.’
Rafi pushed past Jacob, grabbed his cap and cloak, and then reached for the book he kept beside his cot and which he could not leave behind. He had shared this room with the others for five years, a dormitory by night, workshop by day. He would miss the other apprentices, but he had burned his bridges. He had to leave, now. Van Loo would block his escape. The man was already shuffling towards the door, indignation writ large.
‘Goodbye, Jacob. It is a fine hat. It makes you look most distinguished.’
Adam was beckoning from the deck of the ship, waving urgently. The chains had already been pulled from their moorings and if Rafi didn’t hurry the gangway would be too far to reach.
Rafi ran. He was fast and light and made it to the ship before the gap was more than a dainty leap from the quay. The wind caught his breath as he slid down the side of the boat in relief, the cog edging away from the silver-grey cobbled landing and leaving no time for regret.
His precious book was in his tunic, his locket was around his neck and his purse was safely tied to the braiel that kept his breeches secure.
He had left nothing behind.
Buy Link:
Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/bzN6Z2
Author Bio:
Jane Loftus gained a degree in 16th Century European and British history from Surrey before taking a postgraduate degree in modern political history. As a lone parent, she worked in Winchester Waterstones before returning to IT once her son was older.
Hugely passionate about the Middle Ages, she drew inspiration for this novel from the medieval layout of Winchester which has been painstakingly documented.
Jane is originally from London but has lived in Winchester for over twenty years. When not writing, she is usually out walking or watching costume dramas on Netflix – the more medieval the better. She also plays far too many rpgs.
Author Links:
Website: https://janeloftus.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577760507961
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janeloftusauthor/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/janeloftus.bsky.social
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B0F3Q52X9Y
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/29357528.Jane_Loftus
