The Importance of Pawns
Chronicles of the House of Valois

Claude is queen in name only. Can she outwit her rival, win her husband to her side, save her sister, and assert her power? . . . Danger lurks beneath the glitter of the sixteenth century French court. The queen lies dying; the king has but months to live. Their two daughters, Claude and young Renee are heiresses to the rich duchy of Brittany. Countess Louise, their guardian, schemes to steal their inheritance. For years she has envied the dying Queen Anne, the girls' mother. She plots to marry wealthy Claude to her son. Her unexpected guardianship presents a golden opportunity, but only if she can remove their protectress Baronne Michelle, who loves the princesses and safeguards their interests. As political tensions rise, the futures of Princess Renee and the Baronne hang in the balance, threatened by Countess Louise's designs. Will timid Claude untangle the treacherous intrigues Countess Louise is weaving? Can she outflank the wily countess to protect young Princess Renee? And can she find the courage to defend those she loves?