Still reeling from a spurned marriage proposal and the sudden disappearance of Lady Avery Albergar, Jakob Hansen has arrived in Barcelona, Spain to attend the 1519 gathering of the Order of the Golden Fleece. As the trusted representative of his king, Christian II of Denmark and Norway, politics are his purpose; but he knows Avery is in Spain as well, and intends to search for her. He is more than shocked when he enters Barcelona for the first time and sees Avery in the funeral procession for her dead husband. Avery has been hiding in the Tudor Court in England for nine years, acting as Queen Catherine of Aragon's chief lady-in-waiting. Only Catherine knew her secrets - until now. Faced with the financial disaster her syphilitic husband left behind, Avery has no idea whom she can trust. Jakob may be her only friend, but only if her lies have not turned him away as well.