After the death of her parents, Lady Elizabeth Hutton rules her lands while awaiting the return of her betrothed from Europe. Lord Bannaster, a power-hungry cousin of the king, decides to capture the castle, add to his riches and marry the heiress. Imprisoning Lady Elizabeth in the tower, he hopes to force her to wed. Elizabeth refuses to concede and exchanges places with her maid, giving her time to concoct a plan. Elizabeth's only hope is for her betrothed to come to her rescue.

As the third son, John, Baron Russell, never expected to inherit the title and lands. A clumsy and awkward lad, his father despaired of him ever having a successful life, so John was sent to make his own way in the world. He grew into a man able to support himself with tournaments and mercenary work. At word of his inheritance, John returns to find his brother has bankrupted his legacy and left the estate without soldiers or tenants to tend the land.

Unable to mount a defense for Lady Elizabeth, John enters the castle in disguise, where he meets Elizabeth and does not recognize her. Together they attempt to foil Lord Bannaster while a growing passion develops between them. John is torn between his love of this maid and his oath to protect and wed the heiress.

Regency writer Gayle Callen is now writing medieval romances under her new pen name of Julia Latham. A lady locked in a tower, a secret society and a dastardly villain make this an enjoyable read on a lazy afternoon.