The Queen's confidante

the long version

The War of the Roses may be over, but the throne is far from safe ... London, 1501. Henry VII's heir is dead ... Queen Elizabeth fears foul play but there are few she can trust with her suspicions that their son has been murdered. Instead she turns to Varina Westcott, candlemaker and widow. Despite the difference in their stations, Varina shares a bond with her royal mistress. Both women know what it is like to lose a child. Now Elizabeth asks her confidante to do what she cannot and travel into the Welsh countryside and discover all she can about Prince Arthur's death. Aided by the handsome and ambitious Nicholas Sutton, Varina's mission will be a difficult one, as both Henry and Elizabeth have enemies determined to bring down the Tudor dynasty ...