jacey | Booklog 16/2021: Elizabeth Chadwick: The Wild Hunt

A timely re-read. I first read this in 2010 and had forgotten most of the story. This is set on the turbulent Welsh borders in the time of William Rufus. Guyon of Ledworth and Judith of Ravenstow meet on their wedding day, a marriage of convenience between strangers in order to protect both their lands from Judith's ruthless and powerful uncle, de Belleme. Guy is in his late twenties with a mistress (Rhosyn) that he loves; Judith's a month short of sixteen and desperately afraid that her new husband will be as violent and cruel as her late father. Guyon sees her as a child and their marriage is (at first) unconsummated, even though he's (gently) set aside his mistress, mother of his daughter. But Judith, young as she is, knows how to run a keep and Guyon and Judith gradually grow into each other despite political intrigue and a secret that could prove deadly. It's worth noting that this was Chadwick's first book.