This novel is all about the ambitions of a familiy called the Howards or Boleyns. Two sisters who each want to follow their heart. But their family has other prospects for Anne. Mary gets to start an affair with King Henry and falls in love with him. She is played like a pawn by her family who want nothing more but to rise high in King Henry's favor. Although both Henry and Mary are married the King takes what he wants and makes Mary his mistress. She is no longer allowed to share her husband William's bed. After years of trying to conceive a son with Henry's wife the Queen she becomes menopausal and can no longer bear childre. Mary who becomes pregnant by Henry is their new hope for a kingly son even though he will be a so called bastard. She gives birth to a girl but the King continues to try with her for a son....