The Baron's Bride — Marina Oliver

It is the turbulent thirteenth century and Henry III is facing rebellion by Simon de Montfort. Eva, more concerned with her own fate, is plotting how to make her father agree to her marriage with her cousin Gilbert, when she is told she is to marry the rich and influential Sir Piers de Granfort. Gilbert is poor, but they try to escape. These attempts all fail, to Eva's fury and despair, and she finally meets Sir Piers, who is not so old as she expected. She also meets the lovely widow whose eldest son is named Piers, and who looks remarkably like Sir Piers. What are they to one another? And why, if they are in love, do they not marry? Taken to her new home Eva tries to solve these puzzles.