In the King's Absence

A King flees for his life . . .

On a dark autumn evening in 1651, the young King Charles II escapes in beggar's rags to a life of exile in the European courts. In this time of great uncertainty, families are divided and friends are pitted against each other. As the son of a dashing royalist colonel, young scholar Alan Ogilvy is thrown into a life of subterfuge and danger. As he does the exiled king's bidding on both sides of the channel, he meets the beautiful daughter of his estranged Puritan uncle, and falls in love. But can their love survive their different faiths, and the schemes of their vengeful uncle, who is out to destroy them at all costs?

"A romantic young hero's conflict between loyalty to King Charles II and his love for a woman. A well-told historical novel." Books and Bookmen