Clever, sensible and well-liked, Katharine Parr trod a knife edge of diplomacy and risk during her marriage to an ageing, cantankerous King Henry. When he died, she was in her late thirties and love, it seemed, had passed her by. Until, that is, the popular Thomas Seymour -- bold, handsome, witty and irresistible -- began a relentless courtship that won her heart. Katharine fell passionately in love for the first time in her life and, also for the first time, threw caution to the wind th with a marriage that shocked the worldly courtiers around her. But all too soon it became obvious that Thomas has plans beyond his marriage for the young, capricious, quick-witted heir to the throne -- Elizabeth -- and that in his quest for power, he might even be prepared to betray his now pregnant wife...
Katharine Parr's ecstasy and tragedy are witness and recounted by her closest friend, Catherine, Duchess of Suffolk, who lives through the tumultuous years after Henry's death at Katharine's side. A polished courtier in her own right, Catherine is sharply aware of the political realities of life at court and is, apparently, a loyal supporter of her friend. As her story weaves its way through that of Katharine and Thomas' heady passion and tragic denouement, however, it gradually becomes clear that Catherine has her own tale of betrayal and regret to tell...
