Lady in Waiting
by Susan Meissner

List Price: $13.99
Pages: 352
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780307458834
Publisher: WaterBrook Press

Jane Lindsay never thought she'd be alone, but after her husband leaves her, she must face the reality of her marriage and life choices. One small ring, found in the binding of a book bought at an English rummage sale, changes the course of Jane's thinking as she researches another Jane, whose name is inscribed in the ring. Readers jump back in time to England after the death of Henry VIII. Lucy Day is ordered to Sudeley Castle, bearing a dress for Lady Jane Grey. Lucy narrates the tale of Lady Jane, pawn in the schemes of powerful men who seek the throne of England even as young Jane Grey is determined to live-and die-on her own terms. Modern Jane studies Lady Jane, coming to realize that she alone must choose how she lives.

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1. Did you find yourself drawn more to the story of modern-day Jane or long-ago Lady Jane? Why?

2. Why do you think Jane conditioned herself to defer to others when an important decision had to be made? Can you relate?

3. What have you learned about yourself or life or God when you’ve had to wait? Do you consider yourself a patient person?

4. A quote by the French philosopher Diderot is mentioned in chapter 3. “What has never been doubted has never been proven.” Do you think that is true? Do you think this quote holds any significance to Jane Lindsay?

5. Do you think it’s conceivable that Jane truly saw no signs that Brad was unhappy? Why or why not?

6. Does Jane Lindsay’s mother have any redeeming qualities? Is there anything about her personality that makes her admirable?What about Lady Jane Grey’s mother?

7. What do you think Lucy Day’s strengths were? Why do you think she gave personality traits to the dresses in Jane’s wardrobe?

8. When Jane Lindsay’s mother has the clock fixed, Jane has a hard time thinking of it as the same clock. Is it the same clock? Do you approve of what her mother did? Would you have had the clock fixed? Why or why not? Why do you think some people are drawn to antiques?

9. In the end, Jane decides to stand by Brad during his crisis. What do you think of her decision?

10. If you had lived during the sixteenth century, would you have wanted to be a commoner, a noble, or a royal? Why?

11. Professor Claire Abbot tells Jane Lindsay that Lady Jane Grey was not entirely without choice; had she chosen to, she could’ve refused the crown and escaped to the North with the man she loved. What do you think of this suggestion? If Jane Grey had done something like this, how would it alter your opinion of her?

12. Where do you see Jane and Brad Lindsay in ten years? What do you think Jane Lindsay does with the ring?

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