Although Thomas starts his life as an idealist, his journey quickly exposes him to harsh realities that challenge his beliefs. Initially, he witnesses the troubling behavior of his grandfather, which sets a somber tone for his understanding of leadership and loyalty. Thomas faces devastating personal losses, including the untimely death of his beloved wife, Anne Plantagenet, and their children, which leave deep emotional scars.
Under pressure from his father—who has carelessly fathered numerous children with multiple wives—Thomas feels compelled to marry for the sake of preserving his title. He reluctantly chooses Elizabeth Stafford, a woman deeply in love with another man. Despite their initial attraction to each other, which stems from shared traits of inflexibility and pride, they enter a marriage fraught with tension.
Determined to ascend the ranks of the court as both a soldier and a distinguished courtier, Thomas is driven by ambition, while Elizabeth remains steadfastly devoted to her deep religious convictions and loyalty to her queen, Catherine of Aragon. Thomas’s need for absolute loyalty and unquestioning obedience from Elizabeth clashes with her independent spirit. His unresolved grief from losing Anne and their children renders him incapable of expressing genuine love for Elizabeth or their future children, as he fears losing them too. This emotional distance only widens when tragedy strikes again with the loss of their son, Edward, leading Elizabeth to adopt Thomas’s withdrawn demeanor.
As they plan their new life at Kenninghall, Thomas's path crosses with Bess Holland at Hever Castle. Captivated by Thomas’s newfound power after gaining his dukedom, Bess, who has suffered from a lack of parental affection since her mother’s death, finds herself enchanted by his charisma. Thomas brings Bess to Kenninghall, where she assumes the role of nursery attendant, unaware of the emotional turmoil brewing in Elizabeth’s heart.
Elizabeth soon grows suspicious of Thomas’s interactions with Bess and confronts him, but her protests fall on deaf ears. Manipulating Elizabeth’s loyalty to Catherine, Thomas distances her from their children, ultimately consigning her to a remote estate where she ekes out a meager existence. This isolation drives Elizabeth to voice her grievances to Cromwell, desperate for support.
Bess, despite being the object of Thomas's affections, experiences her own discontent. As a mistress, she is denied the sanctity of marriage and the joys of motherhood that she longs for. The lavish gifts from Norfolk, though plentiful, do not fill the void in her heart. When she discovers she is pregnant, Thomas ensures the child is raised by someone else, further deepening Bess’s sense of helplessness. Her association with Thomas also forces her to confront painful memories of Mary, whom he connects with his deceased first wife, leaving him emotionally adrift.
As Thomas seeks to solidify his status, he exploits his nieces’ relationships with the king to draw closer to the royal family. However, when the delicate web he has spun begins to unravel, it is clear that his treatment of the women in his life plays a crucial role in his downfall. The situation intensifies due to Surrey's reckless behavior, which prompts Thomas to claim royal privileges.
This book captivates readers by exploring the intricacies of personal motivations that drive individuals to act as they do. The characters of Elizabeth and Thomas are portrayed with depth and complexity, mirroring the historical figures they represent. Although Bess is depicted as vulnerable and passive, her fierce determination to forge her own path eventually leads her to sever ties with Norfolk—a bold move that his daughter feels she cannot replicate. This is a gripping narrative that will compel readers to turn each page, reluctant to set the book down.
