In The Tangled Skein, Queen Mary is characterized as a loving woman with a strong sense of justice.

The tangled skein arises from Mary's love for the fictional character Robert d’Esclade, fifth Duke of Wessex, said in this book to be the people's choice as King Consort.

Although Ursula does not want to lose her independence by marrying, she seeks to frustrate the Queen's plans and make Wessex notice her; however, the arrival of Cardinal de Moreno, and his henchman Don Mignel, Marquis de Saurez, shifts the scene.

But when the Queen discovers the ruse, she declares that his Eminence should leave England immediately; she will not marry Philip.

Then the Cardinal has to set to work to part the lovers, a far more difficult and intricate business than bringing them together.