The Jewels of Warwick

The saga of the Yorkist royal family, first seen in Destiny Lies Waiting and Thy Name is Love, continues in the glittering world of Tudor power politics. The "Jewels" are two sisters, Topaz and Amethyst Plantagenet, both driven by strong passions, and most dangerously of all, descendants of Richard III, who lost his life and kingdom to Henry Tudor, Henry VII, the future father of Henry VIII.Topaz always felt she was the rightful queen, and would have been, had her father been declared Richard's heir and the crown not been usurped by the Tudors. Her whole life begins to center around her obsession to win her crown of destiny, no matter what the cost.Amethyst too is lured by the court through her love of music, caught in a glitter spider's web of intrigue in which one wrong word can mean death, and Henry VIII's displeasure even more of a torment than his love…As the Jewels of Warwick struggle to come to terms with their family's grim legacy, Topaz and Amethyst discover that life, love and destiny hold many temptations, and many strange twists of fate... "So you have not become betrothed since we last met?" the king asked suddenly. Amethyst didn't want to change the subject; she would rather have talked about music all evening. But of course, this was part of his imposing job also; to secure the marriagability of the kingdom's young maidens. "Nay, your majesty," she answered frankly. "Several gentlemen have courted me, but none have yet sparked my..." She struggled to find an appropriate word. "Passion?" he suggested silkily. Her eyes rounded. "Heavens, no! I was alluding more to...interest, your majesty. Passion I've yet to encounter." "Perhaps here at court, then, you will find a suitable parti. I assure you, there are many young gentlemen worthy of your rank and...interest, as you say." "I doubt it not, your majesty." But how could she even look in the direction of a mere earl or duke when in the presence of the handsomest and most vibrant man she'd ever met, who loved music even more than she, who just happened to be king? "Do you care to continue our musical interlude during your visit to court?" "Aye, your majesty, there is nothing I would like better!" she said with naïve honesty. He gazed down at her for a time as if trying to make up his mind about something of the most grave import. At last he broke the silence. "Very well, then, meet me in my receiving chamber following Vespers tomorrow. It is where my attendants meet to pass the time, and from there we shall find a quiet, private corner in order to play music together. I trust that suits you, Lady Amethyst." "Aye, it sounds grand." Making music with the king again—she believed something like this happened only once in a lifetime, not twice! "I shall be there, your majesty." She curtseyed. "Very well, I shall see you then." Then she remembered. "Oh, but my lute has not yet arrived with my baggage, your grace." "Never you mind, Lady Amethyst," the king replied, touching her cheek with his fingertips ever so gently. She shivered at the unexpected meeting of their flesh. "All the necessary instruments will be provided." Word Count=82,400BOUT THE AUTHOR Diana Rubino Having lived in England for several years, I devoted much time to historical research on the Middle Ages. My membership in the Richard III Society, with access to its library and the invaluable assistance of its Research Officer, has given me an additional wealth of material. My publication credits include stories in Espionage and Fiction Writers Monthly, among other periodicals. I also served as Editor/Staff Writer of a Washington D.C. trade association magazine in the late 1980s. I am a current member of Romance Writers of America, and the author of ten novels.