SummaryIt's 1568, and Mary, Queen of Scots, is Queen Elizabeth's
captive. Forced to flee Scotland after her husband, Lord
Darnley, dies mysteriously, Mary is now a "guest" at Bolton
Castle in northern England, where she plots her escape and
covertly pursues her claim to her cousin's crown. Rarely have the historical stakes been so high, and rarely
has Mistress Ursula Blanchard been caught in such dangerous
territory. Herself an illegitimate daughter of King Henry
VIII and half sister to Elizabeth, Ursula has served in the
past as a lady of the bedchamber and, more important, as a
spy for the Queen. Now, Elizabeth once again sends Ursula on a perilous and
secret mission. She must carry a confidential message from
Elizabeth to Mary, who is a woman of legendary charm and
charisma. Will Ursula, too, fall under Mary's spell? Can
Ursula trust Mary's promises? Did Mary have her husband
killed? Ursula travels north with her young daughter, Meg, and her
ward, Penelope Mason. Penelope has disgraced herself at
Elizabeth's court, making advances to a married man, and
now Ursula must take her young charge to the girl's
Yorkshire estate -- located conveniently close to Bolton
Castle and Mary -- and help her find a husband. There's no shortage of candidates for the wealthy young
woman, but will Penelope become a pawn in the royal chess
game? In confronting Mary and her supporters, Ursula
discovers that she's inherited more than just her father's
royal blood. Surrounded by possible traitors, Ursula must
make difficult and poignant choices to serve her Queen and
to save herself and those she loves. Set in some of the most turbulent years of English history,
The Fugitive Queen takes readers on an enchanting journey
filled with authentic period color and riveting suspense.
Ursula Blanchard's lively mind and courage make her a
heroine to remember in a historical series that ranks with
the best.
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