Sumptuous historical novel set in the court of Elizabeth I from Sunday Times No.1 bestseller Philippa Gregory the author of The Other Boleyn Girl. Elizabeth I has acceded to the throne of England a position she has waited & schemed for all her life. She is surrounded by advisers all convinced that a young woman cannot form political judgements. Elizabeth feels that she can rely on just one man: her oldest friend Robert Dudley. It is soon plain that he is more than merely a friend. In a house in the countryside waits a very different woman Amy Robsart
- Robert's wife. She has no taste for life at court & longs for the day when her husband will return home. She has loved him since she was a girl but now they are adults she hardly sees him. Meanwhile the pressure grows for Elizabeth to marry for it is unthinkable that a queen should rule on her own. Elizabeth's preference is clear but he is unavailable. But what if the unthinkable were to happen... Philippa Gregory blends passion personalities & politics in this stunning novel of the Tudor court & a country divided.