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Royal Court #4
The Lady's Gamble
The Tudor court is full of endless opportunities for power, love and...destruction.
Elizabeth Seymour is the unimportant daughter of a country knight, until her sister catches the eye of the king. As her family is swept up in the changing politics of the realm, they seem to be climbing higher and higher. Everything is within reach, but it all hinges on Jane giving the king what he wants: a son.
Elizabeth makes a gamble of her own. But danger seems to dog her every step, and she sees firsthand how hard it is to play the courtly game of politics. It only gets worse when the man you choose to marry is the son of the most powerful man in England.
Elizabeth Seymour is the unimportant daughter of a country knight, until her sister catches the eye of the king. As her family is swept up in the changing politics of the realm, they seem to be climbing higher and higher. Everything is within reach, but it all hinges on Jane giving the king what he wants: a son.
Elizabeth makes a gamble of her own. But danger seems to dog her every step, and she sees firsthand how hard it is to play the courtly game of politics. It only gets worse when the man you choose to marry is the son of the most powerful man in England.
208 pages, ebook
Published February 8, 2021
245 people are currently reading
368 people want to read
About the author
Anne R. Bailey
23 books114 followersAnne is a novelist, entrepreneur and when she can find the time: wife.
Her love of historical fiction, writing, and romance encouraged her to dive head first into the world of publishing. With a cup of warm coffee by her side and her dog at her feet, she can be found at her desk writing late into the night.
Her love of historical fiction, writing, and romance encouraged her to dive head first into the world of publishing. With a cup of warm coffee by her side and her dog at her feet, she can be found at her desk writing late into the night.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 13, 2021
Terrific story
A first time reading of the story of Jane Seymour's younger sister Elizabeth. I love reading stories about lesser known historical people and this book does not disappoint. I do wish it would have continued on for the remainder of her life rather than just through her sister's reign with Henry. I have enjoyed all the books by this author.
A first time reading of the story of Jane Seymour's younger sister Elizabeth. I love reading stories about lesser known historical people and this book does not disappoint. I do wish it would have continued on for the remainder of her life rather than just through her sister's reign with Henry. I have enjoyed all the books by this author.
October 7, 2022
I really loved this book, based on true events! It walks us through a time period of around the 1500's when King Henry VIII ruled Wales. It talks a little about Anne Boelyn, a former wife. Essentially taking you through how and why his marriages failed all the way too his current wife, who birthed his son and how she died. This book is research and history based, if you are interested in these events, the novel tells the story well! I disliked the ending only because it was so abrupt and left me doing my own research! You should also note, it's a very quick read! Only about 200 pages.
January 16, 2024
A very good book, and a quick read. I enjoyed the story, and found the characters likable. My only complaint is that if an author is going to research people well enough to write about them, then they should make sure that the facts they use are correct. They were small errors, but as a reader of nonfiction on this time period I noticed them right away. Otherwise, I found the novel to be fun to read.
July 11, 2024
I’ve never read anything about Elizabeth Seymour before this book. It was interesting to read from her point of view, especially her perspective on her dastardly brothers and unfortunate sister.
The only reason I’m taking away a star is because this book should have at least stretched as far as Thomas Cromwell’s death. Now that would have been a nail-biting section.
The only reason I’m taking away a star is because this book should have at least stretched as far as Thomas Cromwell’s death. Now that would have been a nail-biting section.
January 29, 2022
Interesting but poor copy editing
I enjoyed the stories of some of the lesser know women of the Tudor court. I was distracted by the numerous copy editing errors though. It appears as though all editing was done by computer as misspelled words were often actual words but completely out of context.
I enjoyed the stories of some of the lesser know women of the Tudor court. I was distracted by the numerous copy editing errors though. It appears as though all editing was done by computer as misspelled words were often actual words but completely out of context.
February 18, 2025
I found this was a good novel about Jane Seymour's sister Elizabeth, Lady Cromwell.
I read another novel about her that I thought much better. I can't remember the title, but it showed Elizabeth as more proactive in the lives of her husband Gregory and his father Thomas. So that novel coloured my thinking of this novel.
This novel seemed more "Harlequin Romance" - like. (Girl comes to court as Queen's Lady in Waiting. Meets Boy. Meets another suitor who she knows is courting her because she is a wealthy widow. Decides to marry Boy because his father is powerful enough to scare off the other suitor, and Boy is actually an amiable chap. Enjoys Boy's company. Finds she is pregnant with his baby.)
I did not find Gregory Cromwell interesting as a romance hero. He did not seem to make a mark. His father Thomas has a bad reputation, but the more we hear about him, the more likeable I found him. Elizabeth hears that he took the time to personally inspect the roof of their new house and that he made a point of hiring more promising young men than his household needed.
The author made an error when Gregory introduced his new wife to her new staff. He should have introduced them to her. She is the mistress of the house.
Elizabeth loves her brothers and her sister Jane, but there is noticeable sibling tension. Edward seems to be sacrificing his sisters' happiness and welfare for his own ambition. He says that their family's success is all he wants, but he does not seem to notice that Jane is getting sicker and more frightened through her pregnancy. Of course he can't do much about Henry VIII gradually finding fault with Jane's mood; but he does not seem to notice her drooping condition or Henry seeking attention from other ladies. Elizabeth and Jane have had relationship problems; but by the end of the book, they appreciate each other and work as a team to birth baby Edward. Elizabeth encouraging Jane and fending off people who say Jane can't do it. Jane putting her fears behind her in the effort to push.
By the way, except for Jane Rochford's rather acidic presence as a lady-in-waiting, there is no evidence of the Boleyns and no evidence that Jane felt responsible for Anne's death.
I would recommend this novel to any female fan of Tudor romances, though I think it is not "hot", but mostly accurate to the period and the characters. The fan knows how the familiar Tudor story runs, yet Elizabeth Seymour's story is not so familiar.
I read another novel about her that I thought much better. I can't remember the title, but it showed Elizabeth as more proactive in the lives of her husband Gregory and his father Thomas. So that novel coloured my thinking of this novel.
This novel seemed more "Harlequin Romance" - like. (Girl comes to court as Queen's Lady in Waiting. Meets Boy. Meets another suitor who she knows is courting her because she is a wealthy widow. Decides to marry Boy because his father is powerful enough to scare off the other suitor, and Boy is actually an amiable chap. Enjoys Boy's company. Finds she is pregnant with his baby.)
I did not find Gregory Cromwell interesting as a romance hero. He did not seem to make a mark. His father Thomas has a bad reputation, but the more we hear about him, the more likeable I found him. Elizabeth hears that he took the time to personally inspect the roof of their new house and that he made a point of hiring more promising young men than his household needed.
The author made an error when Gregory introduced his new wife to her new staff. He should have introduced them to her. She is the mistress of the house.
Elizabeth loves her brothers and her sister Jane, but there is noticeable sibling tension. Edward seems to be sacrificing his sisters' happiness and welfare for his own ambition. He says that their family's success is all he wants, but he does not seem to notice that Jane is getting sicker and more frightened through her pregnancy. Of course he can't do much about Henry VIII gradually finding fault with Jane's mood; but he does not seem to notice her drooping condition or Henry seeking attention from other ladies. Elizabeth and Jane have had relationship problems; but by the end of the book, they appreciate each other and work as a team to birth baby Edward. Elizabeth encouraging Jane and fending off people who say Jane can't do it. Jane putting her fears behind her in the effort to push.
By the way, except for Jane Rochford's rather acidic presence as a lady-in-waiting, there is no evidence of the Boleyns and no evidence that Jane felt responsible for Anne's death.
I would recommend this novel to any female fan of Tudor romances, though I think it is not "hot", but mostly accurate to the period and the characters. The fan knows how the familiar Tudor story runs, yet Elizabeth Seymour's story is not so familiar.
October 13, 2023
This story follows Jane Seymour's sister Elizabeth throughout Jane's reign as third queen of Henry VIII. Elizabeth is a widow, mother, courtier, and now, thanks to Jane, royal-adjacent. And now she has to make some decisions on what she wants to do next before the descions are made for her.
I LOVED that she doesn't mope and wallow over her limitations in life, instead, she acknowledges what she can and can't do, and seeks to grab as much agency as she can within the frameworks of the Tudor court.
Meanwhile, she watches her sister struggle to be queen, her hands firmly tied by what Herny will allow. This version makes an excellent case that Jane's death wasn't inevitable - that it was, in fact, very much brought on by how she was essentially wrapped in wool and put on a shelf once she was pregnant, and all the careful haling insisted on ironically put in her in the worse condition to give birth. Elizabeth had to watch her sister die by inches and you can feel both her sorrow and her frustration that no one will use common sense.
A good look both at Jane's reign as well as the courtiers around her, especially her often overlooked sister.
March 14, 2021
A very enjoyable book which I read straight through, from an author whose books I follow. ( Just finished Thyra also, also terrific)
Elizabeth Seymour is a recent widow with two children, when she comes to court as a lady-in-waiting to her sister Jane Seymour who has married Henry VIII. These are very unsettled times as Anne Boleyn was executed just prior to her sister's marriage to Henry.
Elizabeth Seymour, who was Jane's younger sister tries her best to serve her sister while trying to provide for her own very young children,who are in their grandfather Lord Ughtred's care.
She comes to the attention of Thomas Cromwell and meets and likes his son Gregory. Apparently Cromwell thinks she would be a fine match for his son and she is agreeable to the match.
Her life goes on as her Sister's comes to an end. She and Gregory Cromwell had a happy marriage but not lengthy marriage and five children resulted. Very nicely done!
Elizabeth Seymour is a recent widow with two children, when she comes to court as a lady-in-waiting to her sister Jane Seymour who has married Henry VIII. These are very unsettled times as Anne Boleyn was executed just prior to her sister's marriage to Henry.
Elizabeth Seymour, who was Jane's younger sister tries her best to serve her sister while trying to provide for her own very young children,who are in their grandfather Lord Ughtred's care.
She comes to the attention of Thomas Cromwell and meets and likes his son Gregory. Apparently Cromwell thinks she would be a fine match for his son and she is agreeable to the match.
Her life goes on as her Sister's comes to an end. She and Gregory Cromwell had a happy marriage but not lengthy marriage and five children resulted. Very nicely done!
February 13, 2022
If the Tudor Court and the many uncertainties of living cheek by jowl with Henry VIII hold you in thrall, then this is a book you'll like. It's the story of the 3rd queen - the one we hear less about because of the fact that there's little that's scandalous about her and also because she died too soon for anyone to know if Henry's 'love' for her stood the test of time. The story is told from the pov of Jane's sister and that's quite interesting except for the fact that the lady whose story we are reading just disappears into the sunset with Jane's death at the end of the book. Her story came across a bit like reading a Georgette Heyer novel and I, as a reader, was invested enough to want to know the rest of her story. I see many complaints about the 'abrupt' ending and I have to add my two bits to that. :)
September 23, 2022
Quick & Enjoyable Read
I had never read much about any of Jane Seymour’s other siblings (just Edward & Thomas), so that was interesting. And having looked Elizabeth up before starting this novella, I found there was quite a bit known about her. But this story covers only her time at court w her sister as well as stringing in tidbits of other women, already told in the author’s other books of the period.
Since it didn’t follow the history overly close, Elizabeth Seymour’s entire life would make a good historical full-blown novel. But if you’ve read much Bailey, you will realize that the author specializes in this shorter vignettes.
It’s an enjoyable read, & while introducing a relatively unknown character, it breaks no new ground beyond that. You’d probably learn as much about Elizabeth from Mantel’s well-known Cromwell books.
I had never read much about any of Jane Seymour’s other siblings (just Edward & Thomas), so that was interesting. And having looked Elizabeth up before starting this novella, I found there was quite a bit known about her. But this story covers only her time at court w her sister as well as stringing in tidbits of other women, already told in the author’s other books of the period.
Since it didn’t follow the history overly close, Elizabeth Seymour’s entire life would make a good historical full-blown novel. But if you’ve read much Bailey, you will realize that the author specializes in this shorter vignettes.
It’s an enjoyable read, & while introducing a relatively unknown character, it breaks no new ground beyond that. You’d probably learn as much about Elizabeth from Mantel’s well-known Cromwell books.
April 15, 2021
Interesting, but abrupt ending
Really enjoyed the book. Its interesting to read about less known historical persons. Almost everyone knows of Jane Seymour, but not much written about her sisters.
The only complaint I have is that it felt that book ended abruptly in the middle of the story. It could've been a little longer and have some conclusion. At least author could've added couple of ending chapters, not just cut it off and that's it. It felt like it was half of the book only. That spoiled a book a little bit for me.
Really enjoyed the book. Its interesting to read about less known historical persons. Almost everyone knows of Jane Seymour, but not much written about her sisters.
The only complaint I have is that it felt that book ended abruptly in the middle of the story. It could've been a little longer and have some conclusion. At least author could've added couple of ending chapters, not just cut it off and that's it. It felt like it was half of the book only. That spoiled a book a little bit for me.
May 19, 2022
I Love When an Author Paints a Picture and Gives a Voice to a Character in History!
This was so good I had no idea Queen Jane Seymour had a Sister! So a new character to meet! I devour Tudor Historical Fiction based on real people. What an interesting life the Queen's sister Elizabeth had! I'd loved to have followed her until the end of her life. I thank the Author though for the synopses of her life at the end of the story. If you don't read all the books in this series read this one! But really read them all!
This was so good I had no idea Queen Jane Seymour had a Sister! So a new character to meet! I devour Tudor Historical Fiction based on real people. What an interesting life the Queen's sister Elizabeth had! I'd loved to have followed her until the end of her life. I thank the Author though for the synopses of her life at the end of the story. If you don't read all the books in this series read this one! But really read them all!
August 3, 2023
Another Tudor Gem
All of the major Tudor players are here but we view the court of Henry VIII through the eyes of Jane Seymour's sister, Elizabeth. She was nobody's fool, navigating through life better than many women. She knew the limitations placed on her because of her gender were unfair but also unlikely to change, so she made the best choices she could. I love how this author brings us the stories of these lesser-known women in history. This is quick read and a fascinating glimpse into the tumultuous Tudor times.
All of the major Tudor players are here but we view the court of Henry VIII through the eyes of Jane Seymour's sister, Elizabeth. She was nobody's fool, navigating through life better than many women. She knew the limitations placed on her because of her gender were unfair but also unlikely to change, so she made the best choices she could. I love how this author brings us the stories of these lesser-known women in history. This is quick read and a fascinating glimpse into the tumultuous Tudor times.
October 17, 2023
Jean38no
Good historical novel regarding Queen Jane Seymour’s ( Henry the VIII) third wife sister Elizabeth . She married Minister Cromwell’s son. She apparently had two children before her marriage with her first husband. She was with Jane as one of her lady in waiting during Janes’ marriage to Henry. She was daily how the queen was treated by the king and Tudor court. Jane gave birth to Henry’s only son. She died from childbed fever 10 days later. Author had a very good knowledge of the Tudor era.
Good historical novel regarding Queen Jane Seymour’s ( Henry the VIII) third wife sister Elizabeth . She married Minister Cromwell’s son. She apparently had two children before her marriage with her first husband. She was with Jane as one of her lady in waiting during Janes’ marriage to Henry. She was daily how the queen was treated by the king and Tudor court. Jane gave birth to Henry’s only son. She died from childbed fever 10 days later. Author had a very good knowledge of the Tudor era.
May 30, 2024
Love this time in history...
Reading about the English court has always been a favorite of mine. This author did a great job of putting you right there in the thick of it all. I hate these stories are so short but very well written. Looking forward to the next book and hoping there are many to follow.
Reading about the English court has always been a favorite of mine. This author did a great job of putting you right there in the thick of it all. I hate these stories are so short but very well written. Looking forward to the next book and hoping there are many to follow.
August 4, 2021
Great English royalty history
I enjoyed this book. It was an easy read full of descriptive events. I recommend the book to those who are interested in what historical English royalty was like.
However, my continuing gripe is sloppy editing.
I enjoyed this book. It was an easy read full of descriptive events. I recommend the book to those who are interested in what historical English royalty was like.
However, my continuing gripe is sloppy editing.
December 3, 2021
New.
Loved this book. I have never read a story with Elizabeth Seymour as a prominent character, let alone the main character. I enjoyed the personality she was given as well as Gregory Cromwell.
Loved this book. I have never read a story with Elizabeth Seymour as a prominent character, let alone the main character. I enjoyed the personality she was given as well as Gregory Cromwell.
April 19, 2021
Excellent!
Good pace-well developed characters and a strong plot-I just wanted more. I wanted the book to end after Elizabeth’s birth.
Very enjoyable.
Good pace-well developed characters and a strong plot-I just wanted more. I wanted the book to end after Elizabeth’s birth.
Very enjoyable.
June 6, 2021
An enjoyable story of Anne Seymour younger sister to Queen Jane and wife to Gregory Cromwell
June 24, 2021
No more Anne R Bailey for me.
I know it is fiction but it is bad history. Reading it made me sad. And I love historical fiction.
I know it is fiction but it is bad history. Reading it made me sad. And I love historical fiction.
November 15, 2021
I enjoyed this book about Lady Elizabeth Seymor, the sister of Jane…third wife of Henry VIII. Elizabeth's second marriage was to Oliver Cromwell's son Gregory.
April 10, 2022
04/10/2022
November 25, 2023
Well written book about Elizabeth, Jane Seymour’s younger sister. I thoroughly enjoyed this story.
August 27, 2025
Enjoying this series a lot
October 29, 2023
A good read for a rainy day 👌
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews