Sitting with her new future husband at the betrothal dinner, Jenny, Baroness Easdale, mentally tallies all the reasons she does not want this drunken young fool. Her uncle, acting as her guardian after the unexpected death of her father, picked Reid against her wishes for his powerful family connections. Unwilling to submit to further pawing, Jenny succumbs to the lure of adventure and joins a traveling minstrel troupe for one last taste of freedom. The small excursion gives way to a desire for greater freedom until a certain man arrives with his own agenda.

Sir Hugh Douglas returns home for his younger brother's wedding. He left Reid in his sister's care after the death of his wife and child. Hugh did not realize the injustice he did to his brother. Reid is a drunken lout without manners or good judgment. When Jenny flees, her guardian Dunwythie, begs Hugh to bring Jenny home. Hugh's reputation as a competent warrior will prevent scandal and provide a quick resolution. Hugh has no difficulty finding Jenny. Removing her without scandal proves more difficult. Unwilling to expose her, Hugh joins Jenny with the minstrels until they can leave without comment.

Jenny intrigues Hugh and she breaks through the ice surrounding his heart. Their attraction is mutual but the complications are enormous. When she overhears a disjointed conversation that poses a possible threat to Hugh's overlord, she and Hugh work to expose the group. They are aided by the Joculator, the minstrel's leader, who has a secret of his own.

Ms. Scott starts her new 14th century trilogy using the rich history of Galloway and Dumfriesshire, Scotland. She weaves factual and fictional characters into her romantic intrigue and adds fascinating traveling minstrels into the mix. Readers' imaginations are quickly caught in this backdrop, while they also enjoy the unlikely romance between Bonnie Jenny and Hugh.