The epic saga of Christina Kohl continues in the fourth novel in the No Man is Her Master series, She Serves the Realm.
London, 1311: Christina Kohl is a young woman who, after assuming the identity of her lost brother, Frederick, has established herself as a master merchant in London. At the end of the previous novel, she learns of the death of Sir Edgar Baldewyne, the boorish and abusive husband of her beloved Lady Cecily. At last free to marry, Christina and Cecily lack only the king's permission to fulfill their heart's fondest desire. This seems only a modest hurdle, as they both enjoy his favor. But in the troubled reign of Edward II, the monarch is more concerned with making use of Christina's considerable talents than in bringing happiness to her life.
In She Serves the Realm, Christina is torn from her merchant trade and the woman she loves to become a king's officer. She is placed in mounting danger as civil war seems all but inevitable; the Lords Ordainers demanding the Earl of Cornwall's banishment, King Edward just as adamant in retaining his favorite by his side. Complicating matters further is the ever-present peril of Christina's disguise being discovered, revealing her not to be Sir Frederick, but in actuality a woman.
Edward dispatches Christina to take charge of Berkhamsted castle, which is threatened by the rebellious barons. Unexpectedly, she is recalled to London, only to be ordered to convey Gaveston to his exile in Bruges. Returning to London, Christina is overjoyed to at last wed Lady Cecily.
Gaveston appears at Christina's wedding feast. Pursued by the barons who are now in armed rebellion against the king. Christina, Gaveston, and a few others begin a desperate flight to Yorkshire that culminates in a final, fatal confrontation.
