Rival to the Queen [Paperback]

From theNew York Timesbestselling author ofThe Last Wife of Henry VIIIcomes a novel about the bitter rivalry between Queen Elizabeth I and her fascinating cousin, Lettice Knollys, for the love of one extraordinary man.
Powerful and dramatic, this is the story of the only woman to ever stand up to the Virgin Queenher own cousin, Lettice Knollys. Far more attractive than the queen, Lettice soon won the attention of the handsome and ambitious Robert Dudley, a man so enamored of the queen and determined to share her throne that it was rumored he had murdered his own wife in order to become her royal consort. The enigmatic Elizabeth allowed Dudley into her heart, and relied on his devoted service, but shied away from the personal and political risks of marriage.

When Elizabeth discovered that he had married her cousin Lettice in secret, Lettice would pay a terrible price, fighting to keep her husband's love and ultimately losing her beloved son to the queen's headsman. This is the unforgettable story of two women related by blood, yet destined to clash over one of Tudor England's most charismatic men.

Distinguished historianCarolly Ericksonis the author ofThe Memoirs of Mary Queen of Scots, The First Elizabeth, The Hidden Life of Josephine, The Last Wife of Henry VIII, and many other prize-winning works of fiction and nonfiction. Her novelThe Tsarina's Daughterwon theRomantic TimesReviewer's Choice Award for Best Historical Fiction. She lives in Hawaii.

1. Did the fictional character of Queen Elizabeth in this novel differ from your expectations? If so, how?

2. In the novel, Robert Dudley remarks: We must all dance to the queen's tune. Do you think this was true of every character, or was Lettie the one character who managed to retain her independence of action?

3. What do you think would have happened to the governance of England had Queen Elizabeth died of the pox? What would have happenedlc¶