This is the twentieth book in the Ursula Stannard series of Elizabethan mysteries. It is 1588 and time for the Spanish Armada. Ursula's former ward, Mildred Atbrigge, who falls in love very easily, does so this time and elopes with with Berend Gomez, a half English, half-Spanish double agent who has committed to stealing the Duke of Parma's battle plans for the Armada from the Netherlands and passing them to Elizabeth's government. However, in doing so, he exploits the affections of Mildred and Ursula comes haring in pursuit of the eloping couple. I did wonder initially why Ursula was spending her time pursuing Mildred who is, albeit naive, an adult who should be responsible for her own decisions. But in the end it all turns out well and Mildred and Ursula play a role in ensuring that Parma's fleet does not intervene on behalf of Philip of Spain's fleet. The finale sees Ursula witnessing Queen Elizabeth's historic rallying speech at Tilbury. Good stuff as always, though I was a little irritated by Mildred's naivety and Ursula's initial determination to save her from herself and a little disappointed that Roger Brockley was almost entirely absent from this story. ( )