Following the death of Henry VIII, his three children Mary, Elizabeth and Edward are now pawns in a dangerous game as the English court is plunged into a race for control of the new England they find themselves in.

Christmas at court, and a controversial masque leaves Protestant Edward and Catholic Mary at odds. Elizabeth finds herself in the middle as Mary demands she come live with her.

The Lord Protector's plan for peace between the siblings only causes Catherine and Thomas to accelerate their own, using Elizabeth's 15th birthday as cover.

Having been sent away from Catherine and Thomas' household, Elizabeth is amongst strangers in the house of Kat's brother-in-law Antony Denny, and terrified of anyone finding out her secrets from Chelsea Place.

Elizabeth is determined to not fall into the same traps she did when last she was at Chelsea; while the court has been rocked by Mary's defiance, the Lord Somerset is still more concerned with the war in Scotland.

Thomas' actions implicated Elizabeth; under house arrest, she must clear her name while she is questioned by Lord Dudley; Lord Somerset is shaken by his brother's actions.