This novel is based on the life of Lady Janet Douglas, sister of Archibald Douglas, the hated step-father of King James V of Scotland. With Janet we experience medieval life and the intrigues of a savage time, when great changes envelope the northern country as they battle the English desire to dominate and control their Scottish neighbours. She and her husband become involved in her brother's effort to gain and keep regency of the child king and thus control of Scotland. Through it all Janet struggles with an arranged marriage, with motherhood and the birth of an undesirable child and fear of reprisals from the king. Can the petite Janet escape the fate of the vendetta pronounced against her family by the angry young king?