The King’s Damsel

In 1525, heiress Thomasine Lodge,13, loses control of her money, property, and person when her guardianship is purchased from King Henry VIII by Sir Lionel Daggett. Thomasine is sent to attend Henry’s daughter, the young Princess Mary, and ordered to use her wiles to become the king’s mistress and advance Sir Lionel’s political career. She defies him, but years later her unswerving loyalty to the politically declining Mary leads her to the court of Anne Boleyn as a spy, where Thomasine learns there are many advantages to warming Henry’s bed after all. Sparked by an actual letter written by a Spanish ambassador in 1534, Emerson (At the King’s Pleasure) creates a believable scenario rich in accurate detail where her fictional Thomasine strolls comfortably next to real-life figures. Historical fiction fans will enjoy the political manipulations and court intrigues, but romance fans will be disappointed by perfunctory sexual tension, scant romance, and a happy ending that feels like an afterthought. Agent: Meg Ruley, the Jane Rotrosen Agency. (Aug.)