Graistan Series
ISBN 0-451-40612-5 Topaz Books, November 1995
This is Geoffrey FitzHenry, brother number four. When I originally started the series I knew for certain that Rannulf had three brothers. At that time Geoffrey didn't even have a name although I sort of refer to him in an early chapter of Winter's Heat. I had thought at first he might be called Henry, figuring that Geoff had been named for their father. However, when it came time in Winter's Heat for Gilliam (the hero of Spring's Fury) to retreat to the home of his full brother (that would be Geoff) Geoffrey came to life for me, name and all. The rest of the story came out of a wonderful reference book by one N.J.G. Pounds entitled "The Medieval Castle in England and Wales; A Social and Political History". Did you know that the Medieval sheriff is required to take into his custody all pregnant widows (at least those with property) and witness the births of their babies? Sensible, when you think about it. After all, a greedy widow might try to substitute a peasant's healthy child for her own stillborn baby in order to have control over her dead husband's property. Or, some unscrupulous relative might try to kill the newborn new heir. And there it is in a nutshell--the plot of Autumn's Flame. I'll give you your blurb anyway.
Upon her husband's sudden death Lady Elyssa of Freyne expects to at last be free from meddling men. Instead, the king's law makes both her and her young son wards of Geoffrey FitzHenry, the sheriff of the shire and a man who looks like an angel but owns a reputation as the devil's spawn. Elyssa vows to destroy Geoffrey when he immediately removes her frail son from her side, sending the boy to be squired--something Elyssa is certain will be the death of him. As for Geoffrey, the last thing he thinks he needs in his life is a stubborn, opinionated, meddling widow.
A writer of immense power and intense emotion whose star shines brighter and brighter.
--Romantic Times