Republic - Wallis Peel

This is an exciting historical adventure set in the time of Oliver Cromwell. Sarah Turner is a young Bristol widow, rescued from a loveless, arranged marriage when her husband was shot in the back. Now she is free and works as a courier for Parliament, 'run' by Martin Penford, who had been her late father's executor. She thrives on the risk of the work and liases with a Parliamentary Army officer James Hawkins, at a special spot near her home village of Yate. She seems to lead a charmed life until on one visit she stumbles upon an horrific scene which changes her whole way of life. Now danger breathes at her side and, at the same time, she is attracted to Hawkins. Despite clashing violently, as each has a rigid opinion of a female's place in life, they marry but it is an independent marriage, which irritates James but pleases Sarah. She has twins who are looked after by the female servants because she soon becomes utterly bored by what has become a humdrum life. On a ride out, she bumps into two strangers who proceed to turn her life upside down. She is back doing what she is good at, revelling in this fresh charge of adrenaline until her life is put in jeopardy. With Charles II in exile, and the Puritans increasing their dull sway, the future of England is in the balance. More sober now, and aware of fresh dangers, she and James appear to grow apart as they each hold differing political views. They have little conversation and each suspects the other of another interest. It takes a third party's actions to make them see sense finally and come down on the same political side for the sake of England.