Lady of the Highway

England 1651 

The English Civil War is over, but the wounds of the conflict are still raw. Young heiress Lady Katherine Fanshawe is determined to save her manor house from the grasping hands of Cromwell, and build a brighter future.

Although Kate knows it is dangerous, she invites her rebel friends to live and work at Markyate Manor. But the new community of friends is blown apart when, after months of hard work, her stepfather returns to claim the house, and evicts her friends with no pay. 

Kate's friends are bitter and turn against her, accusing her of being cursed and a bringer of misfortune. Desperate to regain their trust, she turns to highway robbery to pay them back. But Kate is not the only highwayman on the road, and her rival is intent on bloodshed and murder. 

When all her friends turn against her, will Lady Katherine's birthright turn out to be a blessing... or a curse?

This is the third book in The Highway Trilogy for young adults (and adults!) based on the life and legend of the real Lady Katherine Fanshawe,  the heiress and highwaywoman, sometimes known as 'The Wicked Lady'.

Shadow on the Highway and Spirit of the Highway are out now.

PRAISE FOR DEBORAH SWIFT

'There is no greater compliment than, give me more' - Susanna Gregory
'characters so real they linger in the mind long after the book is back on the shelf' - The Historical Novels Review
'the past comes alive through impeccable research, layers of intriguing plotline, and the sheer power of descriptive prose' - Lancashire Evening Post