"His eyes swept boldly over her petite frame, taking in the long, dark hair slipping out of her helmet before sliding down her body to her shapely legs plainly visible in her warrior's garb. Good
God, but he was an attractive man. Ardith felt her cheeks growing hot under his gaze and caught herself wishing, for once, that she was
properly attired in a gown, both to preserve her modesty, and to set her looks off to better advantage.
She pulled herself up sharply. What was she doing, admiring this man's appearance! He was an invader. He was a part of that army
that had killed her brother; he had probably fought in the very same battle that had cost Edwin his life. And he was laying claim right now to her home.
Her lips tightened. He and his countrymen might have the upper hand now: Their armies had bested King Harold's as surely as this band of knights had defeated the villagers Ardith had led against
them. But their victory would not last; it could not. There were pockets of rebels hidden throughout the land. These Normans would be driven out of England. And she herself would drive Geoffrey de Tourville from Fairfield. She knew what he was thinking, as he surveyed her so insolently: what did this woman think she could gain, leading men against me? But he did not yet know Ardith of Fairfield.
She fastened her eyes to Sir Geoffrey's and raised her chin defiantly. Let him have his handsome looks. She would not rest until she saw him at her feet, defeated, begging her for mercy. It was only
a matter of time..."
There are only two things in the world that Ardith loves: her family, and her home. And William of Normandy, with his army of
invaders, is threatening both. Her brother Edwin has fallen at the battle of Hastings. And now Sir Geoffrey de Tourville, one of William's knights, is invading Fairfield Manor. The charming and
insolent Sir Geoffrey expects the world to fall at his feet; men to quiver before him, and women to swoon. Ardith has no intention of quivering OR swooning. In fact, it has occurred to her that she might
be just the person to teach Sir Geoffrey what an Anglo-Saxon is made of!
CONQUEST is the story of the fiery, independent Ardith of Fairfield, her brother, serious Edwin, and their adopted sister, the beautiful, ladylike Hilda, in the turbulent years following William of Normandy's invasion of England in 1066. Love will be won and lost and lives will be forever altered, as the Normans slowly vanquish the Anglo-Saxons and consolidate their rule over England. One thing is certain: After the Conquest, nothing will ever be the same again!