Robert Dudley, the Earl of Lancashire, has a secret marriage with Amy Robsart. He is keeping it hidden from Queen Elizabeth I, hoping to win favor at court and perhaps a crown of his own. His lies are supported by his evil servant, Varney, who schemes on his behalf. Together they keep Amy locked up at Cumnor Place, hiding her from the world. The noble Tressilian discovers their plots and tries to assist Amy, but she loves her husband and won't move against him. At court, Walter Raleigh gains the favor of the Queen, and famously lays down his cloak over the mud for her. Tressilian tries to present a case against the Earl of Lancashire at court, but his plans are foiled by the scheming Varney.

This was such an interesting window into history. I loved all the little side characters to this great drama. We get to see people in all different walks of life, from the great Queen all the way down to a lowly servant. There is a mysterious alchemist, an astrologer, lords and ladies, loyal servants, and servants who will betray their employers for the right price. There are various swordsman and soldiers ready for a duel at any moment. Shakespeare even makes a brief appearance!

I love the rich language of Scott's writing! There is something so weighty and yet light-hearted in his prose. The dialogue is sparkling, but the themes are deep and heavy.

Dudley has to gather certain servants and soldiers around him who are willing to go along with his evil plans. We spend a lot of time with the villains of the story. I found it interesting that some of the bad guys feel remorse for what they have done, and some of them don't. Some dip their toe into the waters of evil, and immediately draw back, repenting and changing their ways. Some dip their toe in, and find that they are stuck and must plunge deeper to cover up their lies, leading them into greater atrocities and murders. They all find ways to justify what they do, rationalizing their crimes, even hiding behind Holy Scripture to pretend that what they are doing is good.

And the good guys are just as complex. Tressilian wants to charge in and save the lady in distress, but she won't let him. So he has to devise roundabout circumspect ways to save her. He places his trust in people that society has cast out, finding valuable allies in strange places. He has to play the political games of the court, and make sure to choose the right time to reveal the truth. Fighting against evil becomes like a puzzle or a game of chess, where the right strategy could save the damsel's life. Nothing is straightforward in this story where all the little moving pieces are shifting in the shadows.