Lady-in-waiting Ursula Blanchard has a mandate from the secretary of state to spy on behalf of Queen Elizabeth I. Although she has already proven herself worthy of the Queen's gratitude, Ursula now must travel to France, where civil war may break out at any moment, to hand carry a letter from Elizabeth to the Queen Mother and Regent, Catherine. The mission to mediate peace between warring Protestant and Catholic French factions seems clear, but there are hidden forces at work. Whom can Ursula trust? What will happen to her daughter if she fails? And what are the chances—and consequences—of a reunion with her second husband, a Frenchman and an enemy of Elizabeth's?

This tale of murder, treasure, and passion effortlessly and accurately conveys the high treason in the court of young Queen Elizabeth I.