The Friarsgate Inheritance

Series · 4 books · 1979-2005

By Bertrice Small

Books in series

Rosamund

2002

From Bertrice Small, the beloved "queen of romance," (Publishers Weekly) comes a sweeping new novel of a young girl's unexpected journey into womanhood, into mystery and passion, and into history... Her name is Rosamund Bolton. She is heiress to the Friarsgate fortune. More than a splendid inheritance, it will chart the fate of the orphaned beauty, widowed at a precious young age. It will take her from the treacherous custody of her devious uncle to the magnificent court of Elizabeth of York, into the confidence of Katherine of Aragon, and past the intimate chamber doors of Henry VIII. It's an adventure that will test the limits of passion and betrayal; it will change the meaning of the word enemy, and turn even the most daring fantasy into true love. With this first novel in an original and exciting new series, the adventures of Rosamund are just beginning...

Until You

2003

The beautiful Rosamund Bolton is determined to finally live her own life. Now that she has claimed her inheritance, the Friarsgate estate, and rejected her latest suitor, she has decided to travel to the court of her dear friend, Queen Margaret. It is against this lavish and unpredictable backdrop that she will meet the man who will forever change her destiny.

Philippa

1979

In the third Friarsgate Inheritance novel, New York Times bestselling author Bertrice Small takes us back to the sensuality, drama, and intrigue of King Henry's sixteenth-century court to tell the story of the daughter of one of her most beloved characters. The eldest child of Rosamund Bolton and heiress to the Friarsgate manor, Philippa Meredith is devastated when she discovers that the man she sought to marry has rebuffed her. But it is this sudden change of fortune that sweeps the spirited beauty back to her place in the court of Queen Katherine of Aragon—and into the arms of Crispin St. Clair, the Earl of Witton. But when Philippa stumbles onto a plot to assassinate King Henry VIII, their very love is tested as they attempt to unmask those who are plotting to tear the royal court asunder.

The Last Heiress

2005

The "reigning queen of romance, New York Times bestselling author Bertrice Small concludes her acclaimed saga of Rosamund Bolton and her daughters with this tale of passion, intrigue, and seduction set against the glorious backdrop of King Henry's court.... Elizabeth Meredith, the youngest daughter of Rosamund Bolton, is nothing like her sensible sisters. Impatient with fancy manners, the young beauty has shunned the royal court in favor of a quiet life at Friarsgate. But to protect the future of the land she loves, she must venture into the court of King Henry VIII to find a suitable husband. Elizabeth soon scandalizes the court by forging a friendship with Anne Boleyn and flirting with Flynn Stewart, bastard brother to King James V of Scotland. But, as she has always known, her fate lies back at Friarsgate, where a weakness for Scots sends her into the strong arms of Baen MacColl. Yet Elizabeth's greatest passion is for her lands, and Baen's loyalties may lie elsewhere. Can Elizabeth and Baen overcome the barriers threatening to separate them? And can Elizabeth, by following her heart, still protect Friarsgate?

Author

Bertrice Small

Author · 59 books

Bertrice Williams was born on December 9, 1937 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA, the daughter of Doris S. and David R. Williams, both broadcasters. She studied at Attended Western College for Women and Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School. On October 5, 1963, she married George Sumner Small, a photographer and designer with a History Major at Princeton. They had a son Thomas David. She lived on eastern Long Island for over 30 years. Her greatest passions were her family; Finnegan and Sylvester, the family cats; Nicki, the elderly cockatiel who whistles the NY Mets charge call; her garden; her work, and just life in general. Published since 1947, Bertrice Small was the author of over 50 romance novels. A New York Times bestselling author, she had also appeared on other best-seller lists including Publishers Weekly, USA Today, and the L.A. Times. She was the recipient of numerous awards including Career Achievement for Historical Romance; Best Historical Romance; Outstanding Historical Romance Series; Career Achievement for Historical Fantasy; a Golden Leaf from the New Jersey Romance Writers chapter of Romance Writers of America; an Author of the Year (2006) and Big Apple Award from the New York City Romance Writers chapter of RWA, and several Reviewers Choice awards from Romantic Times. She had a "Silver Pen" from Affair De Coeur, and an Honorable Mention from The West Coast Review of Books. In 2004 she was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by ROMANTIC TIMES magazine for her contributions to the Historical Romance genre. And in 2008 she was named by ROMANTIC TIMES along with her friends Jennifer Blake, Roberta Gellis and Janelle Taylor, a Pioneer of Romance. Bertrice Small was a member of The Authors Guild, Romance Writers of America, PAN, and PASIC. She was also a member of RWA's Long Island chapter, L.I.R.W., and is its easternmost member on the North Fork of Eastern Long Island.