1592: Sir Robert Carey arrives in Carlisle in the Tudor Wild North, leaving London and Queen Elizabeth's Court behind him. What will the hard men of the constantly raiding Anglo-Scottish Border make of the Courtier - and what will he make of them?
Elegant and charming, he has his sword, two single-shot pistols and his secret love for a married woman in his heart. He's going to be the Deputy Warden of the West March of England. What could possibly go wrong?
Sweetmilk Graham, son of expert reiver Jock o'th'Peartree Graham, has been shot and killed from behind. And horses are disappearing from all over the Border.
Can Carey sort it out before the West March descends into bloody chaos?