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Jane de Weston has always felt trapped in her woman’s body. She has seen firsthand the life of bondage women seem to live and wants the freedom that a man has. Feeling much the coward in a woman’s world she runs from her sisters maternity bed; disguises herself as a boy; and sets out for Cambridge to learn and live a man’s’ life. Along the way she meets a northerner whose coarse language seemed a bit like a country bumpkin, but in fact was a Master teacher at the Solar Hostel in Cambridge. Tired and after walking some distance Jane accepts his offer of a ride to her destination. Having never been in this close proximity to a man before Duncan’s broad back and scent stirs unknown sensations that she soon realizes are very feminine attractions to his maleness. *** With some very well researched historical facts, Ms. Gifford has written a totally stand-alone sequel to THE HARLOT’S DAUGHTER, fictionalized both with real and imagined characters in which she uses artistic license regarding the illegitimate children of Alice Perrers (Lady Alys de Weston) infamous mistress of King Edward III. It is an absorbing tale rich in detail and flavor of the medieval times, practices and politics. Lady Jane, calling herself John, then dubbed Little John by Duncan felt misplaced in her gender. Having knowledge through the life altering experiences of her mother, the inequities and hopelessness of a cast off female being owned and ruled by a man were frightening to an intelligent young woman who was both stubborn and spoiled. Why? Why could Jane not have those freedoms granted to a man? What the author did here was amazing in both showing Jane that a man’s lot in life was every bit as daunting having its own set of pitfalls; that freedom was a state of mind once you realized that love, honor and trust had a place in the equation of happiness. Duncan was very well fleshed out, not as finely as Jane/Little John, but very nicely. Naturally he felt not all was as it should be with John and was confused over his feelings and attractions for a young lad(?). When he discovered her secret he was delighted for himself although shocked, and horrified for her safety and stubbornness to want to continue her charade. Her disguise was only one of the secrets she had withheld and his reactions after he was hurt trying to protect her were understandable. The sensuality Gifford injected into their romance was wonderfully done and between the wonderful historical aspects, the sterling secondary cast of characters, and flavor for the era, Ms. Gifford created another highly entertaining and wonderfully competent Historical Medieval romance. IN THE MASTERS BED was highly engrossing and is also highly recommended.
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IN THE MASTER'S BED
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