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 what is happening at Widdrington Castle - all he's sure of is that Elizabeth is in danger of her life.

What Carey wants is to call out all the fighters he knows and go and deal finally with Sir Henry Widdrington, Elizabeth's abusive husband.

Yet he knows that charging in mob-handed will probably end in Elizabeth's death. He needs guile and cunning, not the rush of blood to the brain and swordplay.

What he doesn't know is that Elizabeth is tangled in another dangerous conspiracy against the King of Scots. Worse still, she is accused of witchcraft by her own husband.