In 1388 England, 17-year-old Jane de Weston is struggling to aid her sister, Solay, in the birthing room. Unlike Solay, Jane is plain looking and has interests inconsistent with a young lady. Sired by King Edward, Jane and her mother were turned out of their comfortable home after the king's death and forced to move under the protection of Solay's husband, Justin. With her betrothed due to arrive soon, Jane flees, disguised as a boy.

On the road to Cambridge, Jane meets Duncan of Cliff's Tower, an unlikely looking master at the school. Taken under his wing, Jane hides her true gender from Duncan and his friends, Geoffrey and Henry, who are training under Duncan at Solar Hostel. She is known as Little John. With shoulders too broad and breasts bound, Jane pulls off her masquerade until Michaelmas, when Duncan discovers her secret and they become lovers. As their love grows and the students return, her gender becomes harder to hide. Jane finally understands the true meaning of being a woman and intends to have Duncan for herself. Duncan makes plans to travel home, without Jane, to rescue his father from a Scottish cell. When Jane is attacked after being discovered to be a girl, Duncan is seriously injured protecting her. Everything seems to culminate at the same time when her family shows up in Cambridge and finds Jane. Convincing Duncan they belong together becomes very complicated with Jane's family around.

As usual, Blythe Gifford gives readers a history- filled love story. Jane is an extremely resourceful woman with the spirit and mind to match any man. Duncan, at first believed to be a common and rough man, is full of warmth and softness when it comes to Jane. I thoroughly enjoyed this original story and the very unique characters.