"Some say Almodis was a serpent, a scandal, a whore. They say wrong." After generations of fighting amongst the ruling families of eleventh-century Occitania, the marriage of Almodis de la Marche to Hugh of Lusignan is intended to bring peace and harmony. But at a time when a noblewoman's purpose is to produce heirs, Almodis resolves to found her own dynasty. Almodis' path to power and happiness is fraught with drama. Having escaped her mariage blanc to God-fearing Hugh, she weds the lascivious Pons of Toulouse and takes over the administration of the great city. However, his distrust leaves him plotting to imprison her at a nunnery. Fearing for her life, Almodis flees in the dead of night - the young, gallant Count of Barcelona might be her only chance, if only he wasn't betrothed to another. Intrigue, forbidden love and murder underpin this extraordinary story based upon the life of a real medieval countess, whose children went on to rule southern France and northern Spain.|"Some say Almodis was a serpent, a scandal, a whore. They say wrong." After generations of fighting amongst the ruling families of eleventh-century Occitania, the marriage of Almodis de la Marche to Hugh of Lusignan is intended to bring peace and harmony. But at a time when a noblewoman's purpose is to produce heirs, Almodis resolves to found her own dynasty. Almodis' path to power and happiness is fraught with drama. Having escaped her mariage blanc to God-fearing Hugh, she weds the lascivious Pons of Toulouse and takes over the administration of the great city. However, his distrust leaves him plotting to imprison her at a nunnery. Fearing for her life, Almodis flees in the dead of night - the young, gallant Count of Barcelona might be her only chance, if only he wasn't betrothed to anothe. Intrigue, forbidden love and murder underpin this extraordinary story based upon the life of a real medieval countess, whose children went on to rule southern France and northern Spain.