Combining all the political intrigue of Game of Thrones with the sweeping romanticism of Outlander, Dorothy Dunnett´s legendary Lymond Chronicles have enthralled readers for decades and amassed legions of devoted fans. This second book in the series finds Francis Crawford of Lymond embroiled in a dangerous game to prevent the assassination of Mary Queen of Scots. Having miraculously cleared his name of charges of murder and treason, Francis Crawford of Lymond is hardly the type to settle down to a peaceful life. Instead he embarks on a secret mission to protect the Scottish queen, who, though still a little girl, is already the object of malicious intrigues. Embedding himself within the decadent French court, Lymond undertakes the most unlikely of masquerades to ensure that the young queen remains safe. But with his past weighing more heavily on Lymond than he would ever admit, he finds himself sinking a little too deeply into his devious disguise--and risks losing himself completely.