England, 1195 ~ Lady Juliana Kinthorpe is no longer the fanciful young woman who embraced the notions of love and chivalry nurtured at Queen Eleanor’s court. Wed to a desperately bitter man, she is forced to steal from the knight who betrayed her husband during the Holy Crusade. But even to save her sister, can she do the unthinkable? That which will cost her dignity, her heart, and perhaps her soul?
France, 1195 ~ When Sir Gabriel de Vere receives Bernart Kinthorpe’s invitation to tourney, he declines, well aware the baron blames him for his laming at Acre. But the ransoms to be won prove too tempting. Accompanied by his friend, Sir Erec Wulfrith, Gabriel journeys to England. Though he finds the fair Juliana much changed, still he is drawn to her—until he uncovers her deception and determines to take back what she stole from him. Certes, there will be more than ransom to pay.