The Queen's SecretIn the court of Queen Elizabeth I, romance and intrigue could cost you more than your heart… It could cost you your head. July, 1575: Elizabeth I, Queen of England, arrives at Kenilworth Castle—home of Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester. Leicester, who has long had ambitions to marry the Queen, knows this may be his very last chance to persuade her to marry him. Toward this end, the hopeful earl has organized a lavish week of music, dancing, and fireworks. Despite his attachment to the Queen and his driving ambition to be her King, Leicester is unable to resist the seductive wiles of Lettice, wife of the Earl of Essex—and the queen’s own cousin. Soon whispers of their relationship start spreading through the court. Enraged by their growing intimacy, Elizabeth employs Lucy Morgan, a young African singer and court entertainer, to spy on the adulterous lovers. But Lucy, who was raised by a spy in London, uncovers far more than she bargains for. For someone at Kenilworth is plotting to kill the queen. No longer able to tell friend from foe, it is soon not only the queen who is in mortal danger—but Lucy herself… |
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arms asked assassin bear bear-tamer bowed Brays breath castle caught chamber cheeks chest child cloak close Countess of Essex courtiers crowd curtsey dangerous dark eyes door Earl Earl of Leicester Elizabeth England face fear feet felt fingers Francis Walsingham frowned gate gaze girl glanced gown guards hair hand head hear heard heart hood horse husband Italian John Twist Kenilworth Kenilworth Castle knew Lady Essex Lady Mary laughed Leicester's Leicester's men Lettice Lettice Knollys lips listening looked Lord Leicester Lucy Morgan Majesty married Mary Sidney Massetti Master Goodluck Mistress Moorish mouth muttered night nodded outer court perhaps Privy Chamber pulled Queen reins replied Richmond Palace Robert royal seemed servant shook shoulder shout side silence sing skirts smile someone stared stood suddenly tent thought throne tiltyard told tonight turned Twist voice waiting walk wall Walsingham Warwickshire watching whispered window woman women wooden young