How does Elizabeth view her correspondence with King Phillip of Spain in the novel, The Virgin’s Lover?

During the early part of her reign, Queen Elizabeth and King Philip of Spain conduct a long and flirtatious letter correspondence to each other, where the King of Spain constantly tells the Queen of England how much he loves her and respects her. These letters are received with amusement by Elizabeth and her ladies in waiting, who know that it is just a matter of diplomacy.