Merry Stewart waits and waits for her betrothed. He left for the Crusades years ago and Merry has heard not a word. She manages her father's castle, from training his men to running the household, while her father and brothers remain in a constant state of inebriation. When her father announces her betrothed's return, Merry hopes for a future with a good and sober man. Upon arriving at his castle, she encounters her future husband in a drunken rage. Her hopes and dreams die a quick death.

Alexander d'Aumesbery returns from the Crusades ready to take up his role as laird. He finds his home in an uproar. The servants have fled and the castle is in a shambles. He needs to re-establish control and maintain order before he can get his bride. When Alex hears talk that his future wife is nicknamed "the Stewart Shrew," he is not in a hurry to retrieve her. His first order of business is to get his infected tooth pulled. The blacksmith refuses to remove it until Alex drinks a pitcher of whiskey to deaden the pain and make Alex more amenable to the extraction.

The marriage is off to a rocky start with half-truths and lies between the couple. Their problems multiply when attempts are made on Alex's life. Merry refuses to let harm come to her husband and tries to uncover who wants him dead.

Ms. Sands pens a hysterical account of Merry and Alex's wedding night. Her description of male anatomy is priceless! It is a thoroughly entertaining addition to her Highland trilogy.