Murder lurks at the heart of the royal court in the rabbit warren of the Palace of Westminster. The year is 1480. Treason is afoot amongst the squalid grandeur and opulent filth of this medieval world of contrasts. Even the Office of the King’s Secretary hides a dangerous secret.
Meeting with lords and lackeys, clerks, courtiers and the mighty King Edward himself, can Seb Foxley decipher the encoded messages and name the spy? Will Seb be able to prevent the murder of the most important heir in England?
All will be revealed as we join Seb Foxley and his abrasive brother Jude in the latest intriguing adventure amid the sordid shadows of fifteenth-century London.
Extract 4 from The Colour of Rubies
King Edward himself processed up the aisle, Queen Elizabeth at his side and a gaggle of befeathered, beribboned courtiers trailed behind the royal couple.
Seb craned his neck to get a better view. He had never been this close to the king before. Edward, though, was hard to miss, tall as Zeus and broader than a warhorse. He wore a glittering diadem about his brow – as if he needed it to mark him out a king – and a wide grin that verged upon outright laughter. Someone must have told him a fine jest. Quite the opposite, when Seb caught a glimpse of the queen, was her expression akin to that of someone who had a mouth full of lemons or had swallowed vinegar. This was his first ever look at Elizabeth Woodville. She was a rare beauty in her youth, so it was said, but he thought she was become a gaunt, sour matron and could see little to attract any man now. Her pale hair, alabaster skin and robes of cloth-of-silver, trimmed with white fox, made her seem a creature carved from ice and did but add to the chill of the chapel.
Edward wore an ermine-lined gown of purple velvet over a doublet of green cloth-of-gold. The bejewelled belt at his waist would encircle Seb three times with length to spare. Behind the king, Seb caught sight of Lord Hastings's hat over the heads of the congregation. It was of pearl-studded black velvet adorned with a golden ostrich plume. Once the royal couple were seated, the plume was easily visible, bobbing each time Hastings moved in his position, standing by the king's chair.
Then the High Mass began with the lighting of a thousand candles or it seemed at least that many to Seb. But their light was of little significance compared to the sun streaming through the stained glass, turning the chapel into a living illuminated miniature of the most marvellous colours. How joyously it lifted Seb's spirit!
But later, after so bright an interlude, the scriptorium was as dour as ever. Its windows faced north and were of plain glass. No hint of colour cheered this place and Seb's joy abated all too swiftly. Secretary Oliver was disgruntled and caustic as usual as his clerks settled at their desks. Fortunately, Barnabas had done his duty before mass, kindling the brazier and setting the ink to thaw so work could commence without delay.
Jude arrived in the nick of time to avoid a reprimand and took his place next to Seb.
'God give you good day, brother,' Seb whispered. 'I needs must speak with you later, concerning the attack upon Chesca. I trust she has suffered no after effects?'
'She's well. Better than she deserves, being so bloody careless. She'd spent fourteen pence of my hard-earned money – a damned fortune – on wine and food and then leaves it lying in the bloody gutter. Stupid mare. I told her ...'
'Silence, Foxley!' Oliver bellowed, rapping his knuckles on the arm of his cushioned chair. 'Get on with your work or I'll dock you sixpence.'
'How much! You can't do that. Nobody gets stopped a full day's pay just for speaking a few bloody words.' Jude came to his feet, blustering and outraged, overturning his stool with a crash.
'I'll stop you a whole shilling for insolence, if you don't get on with it.'
'You wouldn't dare.'
'Jude,' Seb said, righting the stool and pulling his brother back down onto it. 'Have a care. Say naught more, I beg of you.'
Jude tugged his gown from Seb's grasp.
'Keep out of this, you. You started it by talking to me.'
'I gave you good day ...'
'I should've bloody ignored you,' Jude shouted.
'Silence!' Oliver roared, leaving his chair. 'Outside, both of you. Now!' He waved his staff of office in threatening wise. 'I'll not have my scriptorium turned into a bear-pit nor my clerks yelling at each other like drunken fishwives.'
They followed the secretary out into the passageway. Seb left the door ajar. The excited babble of the other clerks could be heard at their departure, like schoolboys eagerly anticipating their fellows' punishment at the hands of the master. But Oliver went back and closed the door. There would be no eavesdropping by the others – and no witnesses to whatever was said or befell.
Jude stood tall, defiant as ever. His eyes were dark with the fires of rage. He had the advantage of being half a head above the secretary. Seb less so, but even he could look Oliver in the eye, if he dared. However, the King's Secretary had the advantage of royal authority which made it less than a fair match.
'You!' Oliver poked Seb in the chest with a fat finger. 'I'll be speaking with Lord Hastings about you. I will have you removed from this office. You're a disruptive influence: all ran smoothly until you came.'
He turned to his attention to Jude.
'As for you, you tardy, idle, good-for-nothing trouble-maker ...' He stabbed at Jude with his finger. Jude grabbed the man's finger, twisted it and bent it backwards. The audible snap of bone was sickening. Oliver went white as bleached parchment. It was a long moment before he was able to cry out. Then he crumpled in a swoon, falling on the cold flagstones.
Praise for Toni Mount's The Colour of Rubies
Tony Riches, author of The Tudor Trilogy: “An evocative masterclass in storytelling.”
Carol McGrath, author of the She-wolves trilogy: “I was utterly transported - It’s superb”. “What a plot. What characters. Perfect pitch”. “I loved the relationship between Seb and Jude”. “The Colour of Rubies is a totally immersive experience as richly stitched as one of King Edward IV’s gorgeous tapestries. This cleverly plotted novel with its twists and turns will keep a reader page turning late into the night until the book’s final scenes. Sebastian and Jude are wonderfully realised personalities with similar emotions, concerns, fears and hopes we have have today. Their medieval London felt real and intriguing to me with unexpected dangers lurking in alleyways. I felt as if I was walking in Sebastian’s footsteps. With this thrilling novel Toni Mount has shown herself a master of medieval suspense. More please”.
Praise for Toni Mount's Sebastian Foxley Medieval Murder Series
Tracy Borman, historian and broadcaster: “An atmospheric and compelling thriller that takes the reader to the dark heart of medieval London.”
Matthew Lewis author of Richard III Loyalty Binds Me: “Toni Mount continues to delight with the superbly crafted Seb Foxley mysteries. Impeccable research and sculpted characters combine with an engaging narrative to create another irresistible story. This series goes from strength to strength, and I’m already looking forward to the next instalment”
J.P. Reedman, author of the I, RICHARD PLANTAGENET series: “Sebastian Foxley is the Cadfael of the 15th century”. “Sebastian Foxley is the Cadfael of the 15th century”. “The Sebastian Foxley Medieval Mystery Series by Toni Mount is not only filled by dastardly murders and gripping intrigue but contains many well-researched historical facts from the Wars of the Roses era”
Samantha Willcoxson, author & historian: “Toni Mount is simply brilliant”. “If you love CJ Sansom’s Matthew Shardlake (and I do) you will love Toni’s Sebastian Foxley”. “From learning how a 15th century scrivener created illuminated manuscripts to venturing within the dank tunnels beneath the Tower of London, Toni is an artist who completely immerses the reader in another time and place and always leaves one eager for the next book.”
Stephanie Churchill, author of historical fiction and epic fantasy: “Leave it to Seb to unravel another international spiderweb of intrigue, betrayal, murder, and deceit. Our flawed, loveable hero has done it again. And at the end of it all, his future is looking brighter than ever. I cannot wait to find out what happens to him next!”
Sharon Bennet Connoly, author and medieval historian: “A beautifully crafted mystery that brings the dark, dangerous streets of medieval London to life. Toni Mount is a magician with words, weaving a captivating story in wonderful prose. The Colour of Evil is, to put it simply, a pleasure to read.”
Rosalie Gilbert, medieval historian and author: “The author's knowledge of medieval history shines through the narrative in the small details which enhance the story woven into it. The details about the inside workings of medieval trade practices lent themselves perfectly for a background to murder and deceit”. “Recommended for lovers of historic fiction.”
Joanne R Larner author of Richard Liveth Yet trilogy: “I always look forward to a new 'Colour of...' book. I can't wait to see what escapades Seb Foxley and his brother, Jude, get up to next. They, and all the characters, are endearing and colourful. The books are always well written, conjuring 15th century London into the reader's mind and the plots are excellent!'
Mel Starr bestselling author of the Hugh de Singleton chronicles: “If I believed in reincarnation I would be willing to think that Toni Mount lived a previous life in 15th century London. The scents, the sights, the tastes of the late Middle Ages are superbly rendered.”
Where to Purchase
mybook.to/Col_Rubies
Meet the Author
Visit Toni's website: www.tonimount.com
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