The Ransom

Why is it that I can never write just one book. I always start plotting one book and it grows into two. I have a rough idea for a book (The Ransom) where a woman is captured and held for ransom - which isn't paid. This woman believed she had a perfect life, she was rich, successful, beautiful. But, when her 'value' as a bride to nobility was lost by her assumed ravaging, her wealthy family had no use for her.

Heart broken, she must build a new life. A Viscountess, daughter of a duke, with no impending dowry, lands, or position has very few options in this world. But, outside her prison door is a new world where people love more completely, fight harder, and allow themselves something the noble classes never dream of - freedom.

The hero is a baron, the bottom of the nobility scale, and willing to do anything to help his people who have bore the brunt of the rebuttal of King Henry's 'rough wooing.' Broken and impoverished by the war, and ignored by the nobility, he has one hope. Marriage to the soiled daughter of a duke will ensure him a voice at court. He purchases her freedom on the condition that she marry him, and then he suggests that her father offer up a dowry before they show themselves at court, and embarrasses 'his grace'.

It would all work out fine except for one thing -- it was the heroine's younger brother who arranged the kidnapping so that he could inherit over his sister, and he is not about to have his plans thwarted by some 'poor country baron whose mother was probably a peasant.'

How are things going to turn out? Will the Duke offer an allowance to his daughter, instead of turning his wealth over to a mere baron of no name, and instead, accept the honor of having a son inherit all? Will King Henry allow the marriage? Will the King see a strategic benefit in offering a Viscountess to this warlord of the north who might be a useful tool if he becomes suitably 'appreciative' of his king. Or, will the king just grand the baron the title of Earl to silence all the gossip mongering at court and torment the Duke. Will the Duchess forgive her daughter for making her the court's jester?

And, will the heroine recognize the old book left in the chapel as a complete Greek new testament, worth twice her ransom ....after all, is it wise to tell her husband what it is? Will the baron, her new husband, still want her if he no longer needs her money? Is she willing to take the risk to find out? Are his accusations true? Is she really as conniving and scheming as her parents?

There are so many ways I can spin this story.