In the heated summer of Elizabeth I's reign Her hopes of marriage dashed by scandal, the crown under constant threat, Queen Elizabeth I takes a young, spirited woman into her close court circle. On her way to being presented at court, Catherine Moor fights back with spirit when she is attacked in a teeming London street. Tales of Cat's adventure reach the queen, who--impressed with the young woman's lively mind--claims her as a lady of the bedchamber. Alert against plots that threaten to overthrow the crown, Cat realizes everyone is suspect. Even the flatteringly attentive Sir Nicholas Grantly, a seductive rogue, has secrets to hide beneath his charming exterior.... The Elizabethan Season Glory and tragedy, love and betrayal in the age of Elizabeth