It has been months since Lady Jane Perceval (nee Rievaulx) last saw James Lacey, and much has changed in that time. Lady Jane refused to marry James’s brother, Will (now the Earl of Dorset), knowing that his heart belonged to young Ellie Hutton. The couple have since welcomed an heir to Lacey House.

James and his faithful blackamoor servant, Diego, have campaigned for Elizabeth’s army overseas and the young Master has returned home world-weary and haunted by all he has seen.

And Lady Jane has been widowed, with the passing of her dear friend and husband (in faith if not consummation) to stroke. Jane now finds herself at the mercy of her late husband’s money-hungry sons, and so seeks refuge in Elizabeth’s court as one of her ladies in waiting.

But one thing has remained steadfast all this time – Jane is still in love with James. And now an overseas campaign with the Queen’s favourite, Walter Raleigh, sees James Lacey attend court at the Richmond Palace. It is here that he will once again come face-to-face with the only woman he has ever wanted, but could never have. First because she was betrothed to his brother and now because he is not fit company for her gentle self.