I found this bit of a french history quite intriguing. HRH Michael of Kent is the author and a descendant of both women. What could have been a stuffy educational story, she made quite fascinating. She took the time to give the back story on all three people, instead of just "plopping" you down in the middle of it.

Diane de Poitiers, older renaissance woman, well known at court, friend of Henri's mother, Queen Claude. When the queen dies, Diane becomes a main character in Henri's life. She teaches him to love again by first agreeing for him to be her knight. And much later, by becoming his lover.

Catherine de Medici, young, highly intelligent, not very pretty, gives her heart to Henri upon meeting him. It was to plague her their whole life together. As his heart was already given to another.

Henri, the dauphin, was a dark, brooding child who grew to become more so as a man. His love for Diane, was omnipresent. His tolerance of Catherine was barely present.

If you have an interest in history, you won't go wrong with this book. I absolutely loved it.