Bloodstone Castle (Paperback)

Based in Medieval Italy, the story begins with the birth of Morena and her dying mother's gift of the legendary bloodstone which holds a clue of a long forgotten Roman treasure said to be buried beneath Bloodstone Castle. Eighteen years later, The father Duke Bartolomeo Dragone, is killed in an ambush by brigands. His dying wish is that Amoro end a feud and marry the Contessa Morena Monterossa of Portovenere. Amoro breaks the news to his mistress, but Laria had harboured hopes he would marry her and surprises him with her grief when she swears she will fight to keep him. Amoro goes to Bloodstone Castle to claim his bride, but his attempts are rebuffed, until a Massimo Baronno tells him the contessa is betrothed to Ernesto of Savona. Amoro wonders if the existence of another marriage contract might be his escape, but is intrigued by the possibility of gaining access to the castle and perhaps finding the lost treasure. Amoro and his men surround the castle and when Morena and her servants escape via a secret Roman tunnel, his men capture her. Amoro despises the violence his men used to subdue the women and orders Morena returned to her room, where he waits with her until she wakes. During his vigil, he sees the bloodstone amulet round her neck and reads its inscription. Amoro discovers Morena is spirited and intends to honour her betrothal to Ernesto, a man twenty years her senior. Umberto Montessora, Morena's father, has travelled to see Ernesto of Savona to insist he rescinds the marriage contract between him and his daughter. He tells Ernesto he knows he killed Duke Bartolomeo Dragone, Amoro's father and this is the price he must pay for his villainy. Ernesto arrives at Bloodstonecastle to insist their marriage contract is honoured. Amoro challenges him and Ernesto flies into a rage, but Amoro has him removed from the castle. When Umberto's body is found, Amoro swears to find his murderer, but Morena's grief and isolation still make her distrust him. On their way to Genoa, their convoy is attacked and Morena is convinced it was Ernesto who was to blame. Still uncertain of Amoro's motives, Morena is given a grand welcome in Genoa by his mother and his people.