Spring 1559, pages 112 - 181 Summary

During the Spring at court, Robert Dudley still hasn't left to see his wife, but instead is found talking to his sister, Mary Sidney, as they are on a hunting ride with the Queen's procession. Mary reveals that Queen Elizabeth has been writing love letters to King Philip of Spain, detailed enough that the court is starting to get worried that she will scandalize the Throne or will be forced to marry him. Robert Dudley is angry, but realizes that Elizabeth is probably just playing the King of Spain so that he will become an ally of England. He confides that he would want to marry the Queen himself, if he were free. William Cecil drafts a letter to the Queen outlining the many reasons why she cannot marry the King of Spain, including that she will lose the...