A great read by one of my favorite authors. ( )

Phillipa Meredith is heiress to the far northern estate of Friarsgate, but finds her true home at the court of Henry VIII, where she is a maid of honor to Katherine of Aragon. When she is fifteen and ready to wed, she is disappointed and humiliated when her intended announces his intention to become a priest instead. Her mother's capable cousin, a retired courtier himself, takes the matter in hand and she soon finds herself in an even better match with the earl of Witton. But when they travel to France with the king and queen, she finds herself drawn into political intrigue.

Ultimately this was a disappointing novel. There is not the level of chemistry and passion one expects from Bertrice Small, the political plot is thin and easily resolved, and Phillipa's constant repetition of her desire to be at court is incredibly repetitive. If I hadn't already enjoyed others of her novels, I would not want to read more, but I know that some of her other novels are more entertaining. ( )

1519 Giles FitzHugh breaks off his betrothal to Phillipa Meredith, a Lady in Waiting to Queen Katherine of Aragon, because he has decided to take holy vows instead. Stunned because she had expected to one day marry Giles, she informs him there will be no one else. Her mother Rosamund asks her uncle Sir Thomas Bolton to find a husband for his niece. Thomas selects an Earl, Crispin St. Clair as the groom........................ Crispin finds the charming outrageous Phillipa quite fun as he sees her inexperience and youth as an asset. He courts her with passion and she falls in love with him. She accepts his proposal even as the Kings of England and France prepare for a historic meeting. Phillipa has knowledge that a plot to kill Henry is afoot and must be stopped..................... Bertrice Small fans will take immense pleasure with her latest heated historical romance starring two enchanting protagonists caught in the middle of major events that shape that part of the world for years to come. The story line is action-packed but clearly belongs to the intrepid heroine as she rebounds with love but also deals with treachery
Altough I have loved all of Smalls books so far, this one left a bit to be desired. A good book but not up to Smalls standards this time. ( )