Through a Dark Mist
1991 cover art
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| Author | Marsha Canham |
|---|---|
| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Historical fiction |
| Publisher | Dell Publishing |
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Publication date
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1991 |
| Media type | Paperback E-book |
| Pages | 480 |
| ISBN | |
| Followed by | In the Shadow of Midnight |
Through a Dark Mist is a 1991 historical fiction novel by Canadian author Marsha Canham, the first instalment of her "Medieval" trilogy inspired by the Robin Hood legend set in 13th-century England. The story centres on the rivalry and enmity between two brothers each claiming to be one man – Lucien Wardieu, Baron De Gournay. The heroine, Lady Servanne de Briscourt, finds herself caught in the middle when she is betrothed to one but falls in love with the other. The novel was published by Dell Publishing in 1991.
Canham was a lover of the Robin Hood legend since viewing the interpretation seen in the Errol Flynn films. For many years she had desired to write her own version but thought it rather "brazen" to try to rework such a famous story into her own words. Canham only decided to create it after experiencing a recurring dream about a damsel in distress being rescued by two bowmen; a friend convinced her to translate the idea into a book, and after further research, she decided to make Through a Dark Mist about a new invented character who could conceivably have been the father of the famous outlaw.
In the forests of Lincoln, England, the young widow Lady Servanne de Briscourt is journeying to marry her powerful betrothed, Lucien Wardieu, Baron de Gournay. While en route to his castle Bloodmoor Keep, Servanne's entourage is waylaid; she and her old maid are taken captive by forest outlaws led by the Black Wolf of Lincoln, a man claiming to be the true Lucien Wardieu. His associates include kindly former monk Alaric FitzAthelstan, the mischievous dwarf Sparrow, and the secretly female Gillian "Gil" Golden.
Outraged to have been taken captive, Servanne is taken to his group's hideaway inside a dilapidated abbey. She and the Black Wolf feel instant attraction to the other, though initially each tries to hide it by antagonizing the other. He explains that he and her betrothed are half-brothers; the real Lucien was the heir to their father, but was betrayed by his bastard half-brother Etienne, who left Lucien for dead and stole his identity. Lucien took years to physically recover, and entered the service of Eleanor of Aquitaine. Servanne gradually comes to believe his claim, and they consummate their relationship. Lucien plans to confront his brother, but also has a secret mission to rescue Princess Eleanor of Brittany from her uncle Prince John. A previously agreed-upon hand-off between John and Lucien's party is to occur at Bloodmoor, though no one else knows that Lucien has been posing as an outlaw.
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