The Last Heiress

by Bertrice Small

Book Overview

New York Times bestselling author Bertrice Small concludes her acclaimed saga of Rosamund Bolton and her daughters with this tale of passion, intrigue, and seduction, set against the glorious backdrop of King Henry's court... Elizabeth Meredith, the youngest daughter of Rosamund Bolton, is nothing like her sensible sisters. Impatient with fancy manners, the young beauty has shunned the royal court in favor of a quiet life at Friarsgate. But to protect...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 045121692X
• ISBN13: 9780451216922
• Release Date: October 2005
• Publisher: Berkley / Nal
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.0" x 9.0"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

fourth and final book in the Friarsgate Inheritance series

Entrusted with the running of Friarsgate at the tender age of fourteen, Elizabeth Meredith has grown up a country lass with no interests beyond her precious Friarsgate and the sheep and wool her estate is well known for. Now twenty-one years old, Elizabeth must marry in order to provide the estate with an heir, and Elizabeth has no intention of marrying just so some male can take over her precious Friarsgate. Baen MacColl started life out on the wrong side of the blankets. While he knows who his father is now and is even accepted and loved by his father and his family, he's still illegitimate and as such owes everything he has to his father and has nothing to offer a wife. Rosamund, Elizabeth's mother insists that Elizabeth must go to court to find herself a husband. Friarsgate requires an heir and in order to do that duty she first needs a husband. Since Elizabeth's elder sister, Philippa is a creature of the court, Rosamund is determined for Elizabeth to go to her. Phillipa and Elizabeth do not get along and so Elizabeth counters with the request that Uncle Tom accompany her and she'll go quietly. Otherwise, every eligible that Phillipa brings to her presence, Elizabeth swears she will "belch, fart, speak with a broad North Country accent, and make herself generally undesirable." Uncle Tom agrees to accompany her and arrives at Friarsgate to ready her for the pomp and circumstance that the court would expect of a young lady in their midst. Both Uncle Tom and Elizabeth are aware that this trip to court is a fools' errand, none of the men attending court will be suitable. Baen arrives with a missive from his father for the Lady of Friarsgate, only it's addressed to Rosamund and so Elizabeth offers her hospitality for the night and sends him to her mother's home, over the border in Scotland, only to have him return as the missive is in regards to buying sheep from Friarsgate. Elizabeth does agree to sell some, at the same time, also offering him one of the border collie pups to help with herding the sheep. Baen is attracted to the fair Elizabeth in all her course ways, however, he also knows that with his lack of lineage that he's not suitable. Still she must be made ready to attend court and he's more than willing to offer to help her in the fine art of kissing. On the day she's to leave for court, Baen finds her crying in one of the fields and holds her as she cries herself out. Will Baen and Elizabeth find a way to be together? Or will their senses of duties keep them apart? THE LAST HEIRESS encompasses all the boldness, coarseness, honesty, and flat out bluntness of a young woman raised in the country, bundled up in all the finest frippery and have her attending the court of King Henry VIII. The results are charming and fun as Elizabeth continues to be true to herself despite the gossip and backstabbing that the court thrives on. Elizabeth is a strong, independent woman fully in control of her lands, and it's a pleasure to

BERTRICE IS THE BEST !!

As I continue to be a devoted fan, I consider Elizabeth Hay's story awesome. My opinion is that Bertrice is a skillful writer and wonderful storyteller. The talent she has of bringing in characters and families from her other novels is a thrill for me, a fan since reading 'The Kadin' in 1979. As the tree connecting the O'Malley, Leslie, Hay, Gordon and Hepburn families continues to grow, so does my admiration and thanks to this brillant author.

A very good story!!

Elizabeth knew what she wanted. She became very independent at a young age. She is a very practical woman and has a backbone. Loved having her Uncle Thomas in it and that the book connected to 2 different characters in some of her other books. Elizabeth ends up finding love and finding out Anne was just a person who was place in the path of a powerful king.

A Fantastic Ending to a Series

The Last Heiress is the final book in the Friarsgate Series and Bertrice Small did not disappoint !! I loved Elizabeth Meredith! While I am sad to see the end of a series, I know Bertrice will have much more excitement ahead . Kudos to Lady Small for another triumph !