The first book in Jean Plaidy's epic Plantagenet series If you like Philippa Gregory, you will love this vibrant and captivating historical page-turner from multi-million copy and international bestselling author Jean Plaidy - the perfect blend of history with romance and drama. 'Full - bloodied, dramatic, exciting' - THE OBSERVER 'Plaidy, by the skilful blending of superb storytelling and meticulous attention to authenticity of detail and depth of charaterization has become one of the country's most widely read novelists.' - THE SUNDAY TIMES 'It is hard to better Jean Plaidy . . . both elegant and exciting' - DAILY MIRROR 'Just a great book from start to finish' -- ***** Reader review 'Gripping' -- ***** Reader review 'Plaidy forever!' -- ***** Reader review 'A wonderful story and a wonderful history by a wonderful writer' -- ***** Reader review ************************************************************************************************ When William X dies, the duchy of Aquitaine is left to his fifteen-year-old daughter, Eleanor. But such a position for an unmarried woman puts the whole kingdom at risk. So on his deathbed William makes a will that will ensure his daughter's protection- he promises her hand in marriage to the future King of France. Eleanor grows into a romantic and beautiful queen, but she has inherited the will of a king, and is determined to rule Aquitaine using her husband's power as King of France. Her resolve knows no limit and, in the years to follow, she is to become one of history's most scandalous queens...