This is a very good sequel to The Knight and the Squire, and sees Tom taking centre stage as the hero of the tale (Alan was the most engaging character in the previous book, which is perhaps why he has been separated from Tom in this one). Tom and the eponymous lady, Emily, find themselves in many tight corners and escape through their ingenuity and daring. A vivid picture is painted of life in mediaeval France, and there is an impressive cast of baddies and oppressions. Stylistically, the book starts off shakily, with the author showing a strange preference for very short chapters, but he reverts to longer chapters as the book progresses, allowing for a greater build-up of tension and excitement. I and my 9-year old son really enjoyed this book, and we are hoping that the next volume (this one was published in 2000) will be out soon.