When 12-year-old Katherine Howard comes to live in the Duchess of Norfolk's household, poor relation Cat Tilney is deeply suspicious of her yet, despite herself, Cat is drawn to her. Summoned to court at 17, Katherine leaves Cat in the company of her ex-lover, Francis. Within months, the king has set aside his Dutch wife Anne for Katherine. But when allegations are made about her girlhood love affairs, Katherine recounts a version of events which implicates Francis. Cat knows the truth, but if she tells, Katherine will die.