1593: Sir Robert Carey has received a desperate message from Lady Elizabeth Widdrington - in the form of her hand-fasting ring. Carey doesn't know for certain what's happening at Widdrington Castle. All he's sure of is that Elizabeth is in danger of her life.
He wants to call out all the fighters he knows and go and deal finally with Sir Henry, Elizabeth's abusive husband. Yet he knows that charging in mob-handed will probably end in the imprisoned Elizabeth's death. He needs guile and cunning, not the rush of blood to the brain and swordplay.
What he doesn't know yet is that Elizabeth is tangled in another dangerous conspiracy against the King of Scot's life.
Worse still, she is accused of witchcraft by a professional witchfinder - and her own husband.