A dramatic novel of passion, politics and betrayal from the author of The Other Boleyn Girl.
They can fear me, and they can hate me. They can even deny me. But they cannot kill me.
1568. The Virgin Queen Elizabeth I has ruled England for ten years, but refuses to name a successor, despite the rival claims that threaten her kingdom.
Bess of Hardwick, the new Countess of Shrewsbury, has secured her future with her fourth marriage to George Talbot. Ambitious and shrewd, Bess anticipates royal favour when she and the Earl are asked to give sanctuary to the fugitive Mary Queen of Scots.
But the Scottish queen rails against house arrest in a desolate castle and plots to regain her throne. The castle becomes the epicentre of intrigue against Elizabeth, the Earl blinded by admiration for the other queen. Even Bess's own loyalty is thrown into question. If Elizabeth's spymaster William Cecil links the Talbots to the growing conspiracy to free Mary, they will all face the Tower...
- ISBN10 1416549129
- ISBN13 9781416549123
- Publish Date 16 September 2008 (first published 21 August 2008)
- Publish Status Out of Stock
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Atria Books
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 448
- Language English