Lovely nineteen-year-old Lady Sibylla Cavers is marriageable, yet she has rejected the first three candidates her father has introduced. Lord Simon Murray (appearing in the first two novels of this Borders Trilogy) is one of these three spurned suitors - and Simon is famous for never forgiving an offense. One day when Sibylla is out riding, she sees a child drowning and guides her horse into a raging river to save the child. But the powerful current sweeps her up with the child in her grip. Lord Simon, riding nearby, hears screams and heroically helps Lady Sibylla rescue the child. To her surprise, Lady Sibylla feels a powerful attraction to her rescuer.

Lord Simon, surprised to feel the same strong attraction, is tempted to forgive her earlier rejection so that he may woo this lass anew. But political intrigue fueled by the power-hungry governor of Scotland will throw obstacles in the path of Simon's and Sibylla's burgeoning love. Simon will fight for his inherited estate of Elishaw, while Sibylla will use all her wits to protect their future together.