The Ringed Castle: Historical Fiction (The Lymond Chronicles)

The fifth volume of Dorothy Dunnett's bestselling series exploring the intricacies of sixteenth century history through the exploits of soldier of fortune Francis Crawford of Lymond. From the silken palace of Suleiman the Magnificent to the barbaric court of Ivan the Terrible: Lymond is bound for Russia, where he fights his way to a position second only to the young Tsar himself. It is a world away from his homeland, now sheltering Philippa Somerville, his wife in name only, and the childthey rescued in Constantinople. Forced to return as the Tsar's envoy to the intrigue of Mary Tudor's court, Lymond must face with the truth of his relationship with his bride, and also the implacable hostility of his old enemy Margaret Douglas.