The Queen’s Rival

With the Tudor succession in turmoil, could Lady Margaret have a claim to the throne…?

England, 1553

As she is seventh in line to the throne, sixteen-year-old Lady Margaret Clifford knows her marriage should be an important one. Which is why she is shocked to learn her father has agreed to entertain a proposal from a mere knight.

Sir Andrew Dudley is a court favourite and joins the ranks of the Duke of Northumberland’s family who are attempting to secure politically advantageous marriages. His nephew, Guildford Dudley is recently betrothed to Margaret’s cousin, Lady Jane Grey, and with the boy-king Edward VI failing to secure a marriage of his own and produce an heir, it is clear the Dudleys are plotting a path to the throne.

All is flung into turmoil when the king dies and the attempt to place Lady Jane Grey on the throne is foiled. Instead, Catholic Queen Mary takes the throne and Margaret is sent to court as one of her ladies-in-waiting.

With the Dudleys’ fall from grace, Margaret is relieved that Sir Andrew’s proposal is off the cards, though she is still keen to secure herself a match befitting her royal heritage.

But first she must win the favour of the new queen. And with Queen Mary fearing rivals to her throne, that is not an easy task…

Can Margaret steer clear of the political machinations at Court? Will she strengthen her ties to the English throne through marriage?

Or will she meet the same fate as her poor cousin, Lady Jane?