The betrothal between beautiful, headstrong Milisant Crispin and handsome Wulfic de Thorpe has been announced, joining together two of the most powerful families in England. The combined power of their arranged union will be great enough to rival even the king's - so ambitious King John Plantagenet will do anything to prevent the marriage. Milisant and Wulfric are equally unhappy as they are forced to marry for dynastic reasons - but in spite of the unromantic reasons for their alliance and the political manoeuvrings behind the scenes, a grand passion soon unites them.