THE SIXTH WIFE

Clever, sensible and well-liked, Katherine Parr trod a knife edge ofdiplomacy and risk during her marriage to an ageing, cantankerous KingHenry. When he died, she was in her late thirties and love, it seemed, hadpassed her by. Until, that is, the popular Thomas Seymour - bold, handsome,witty and irresistible - began a relentless courtship that won her heart.Kate fell passionately in love for the first time in her life and, alsofor the first time, threw caution to the wind with a marriage that shockedthe worldly courtiers around her. But all too soon it becomes obviousthat Thomas has plans beyond his marriage for the young, capricious,quick-witted heir to the throne - Elizabeth - and that in his quest forpower, he might even be prepared to betray his now pregnant wife...Kate's whirlwind romance is witnessed and recounted by her closest friend,Catherine, Duchess of Suffolk, who lives through the tumultuous years afterHenry's death at Kate's side. A sharp and canny courtier in her own right,Cathy is keenly aware of the political realities of life at court and is,apparently, a loyal supporter of her friend. As her story weaves its waythrough that of Kate and Thomas's heady passion and tragic denouement,however, it gradually becomes clear that Cathy has her own tale ofbetrayal and regret to tell...