The Lady of the Rivers

　　菲莉帕．葛列格里繼《美人心機》後，又一歷史傳奇佳作。

　　Jacquetta是盧森堡伯爵的女兒，後來成為貝德福公爵夫人。在公爵死後，19歲的她與Richard Woodville墜入愛河，兩人結婚後一起回到英格蘭支持國王亨利六世。

　　隨著時間過去，Jacquetta成為英格蘭瑪格莉特皇后的好朋友以及王朝的支持者。在約克公爵發動叛亂，造成玫瑰戰爭時，她也毫無顧忌地全力協助抵抗。但是有一天，她竟發現女兒Elizabeth與內戰對手，約克公爵之子愛德華四世相戀！她該如何同時保護摯友與女兒？未來會真如她所預見的發展嗎？

　　作者菲莉帕‧葛列格里此次特地以在英國歷史上佔有一席之地，卻鮮少被提及的白玫瑰王后之母Jacquetta為故事主角，並加入魔幻原素，讓整部小說在濃厚的歷史感外，還圍繞著神秘的浪漫氣息。(文/博客來編譯)

　　The Lady of the Rivers is #1 New York Times bestselling author Philippa Gregory’s remarkable story of Jacquetta, Duchess of Bedford, a woman who navigated a treacherous path through the battle lines in the Wars of the Roses.

　　Descended from Melusina, the river goddess, Jacquetta always has had the gift of second sight. As a child visiting her uncle, she met his prisoner, Joan of Arc, and saw her own power reflected in the young woman accused of witchcraft. They share the mystery of the tarot card of the wheel of fortune before Joan is taken to a horrific death at the hands of the English rulers of France. Jacquetta understands the danger for a woman who dares to dream.

　　Jacquetta is married to the Duke of Bedford, English regent of France, and he introduces her to a mysterious world of learning and alchemy. Her only friend in the great household is the duke’s squire Richard Woodville, who is at her side when the duke’s death leaves her a wealthy young widow. The two become lovers and marry in secret, returning to England to serve at the court of the young King Henry VI, where Jacquetta becomes a close and loyal friend to his new queen.

　　The Woodvilles soon achieve a place at the very heart of the Lancaster court, though Jacquetta can sense the growing threat from the people of England and the danger of royal rivals. Not even their courage and loyalty can keep the House of Lancaster on the throne. Henry the king slides into a mysterious sleep; Margaret the queen turns to untrustworthy favorites for help; and Richard, Duke of York, threatens to overturn the whole kingdom for his rival dynasty.

　　Jacquetta fights for her king, her queen, and for her daughter Elizabeth for whom Jacquetta can sense an extraordinary and unexpected future: a change of fortune, the throne of England, and the white rose of York.

　　A sweeping, powerful story rich in passion and legend and drawing on years of research, The Lady of the Rivers tells the story of the real-life mother of the white queen.

作者簡介

　　Philippa Gregory is the author of several bestselling novels, including The Other Boleyn Girl, and is a recognized authority on women’s history. She studied history at the University of Sussex and received a Ph.D. at the University of Edinburgh. She welcomes visitors to her website, www.philippagregory.com.