WHEN ALL HOPE IS GONE, ONLY DEATH LIES IN WAIT… England in 1468 is a nervous kingdom. King Edward IV has fallen out with his chief ally, the powerful Earl of Warwick. Ned Elder, a young lord whose sword helped Edward to the throne, has been forced out of England by Warwick. In a beleaguered fort on the Scottish border, Ned’s fiery sister, Eleanor, desperately awaits his return and her dwindling garrison is all that remains of his brave army of retainers. Unknown to all except the loyal Ragwulf, Eleanor has Ned’s young son in her charge - a son who has never seen his father. The castle seems certain to fall yet there is no word from Ned and, one by one, his family and friends are caught up in Warwick’s web of treason. The fate of the Elders lies once more in the balance as all are drawn back to Yorkshire where they face old enemies once more. Eleanor must hope that Ned will soon return and she must fight to keep his son alive… and when Lady Eleanor fights, she takes no prisoners.