To Kill a King — Madeleine Polland

Sequel to The Queen's Blessing: After Merca prevents the murder of King Malcolm, happiness still eludes her. She continues to suffer from the trauma of her early life, having witnessed the murder of her parents by the King's avenging armies. She finds solace in the Church, however, and has determined to become a nun in a local convent. That decision doesn't make her happy, but it makes her feel safe. Queen Margaret sees other things for Merca, though, and sends her to London with the King and a small retinue. She discovers a Saxon rebellion against the new Norman king underway and becomes wrapped up in it. She knows how it feels to want to kill a king . . . how will she advise her new-found Saxon friends and save the boy she has come to love?