Abrielle of Harrington is the only child of Berwin and Elspeth. She is renown for her beauty and grace. After her father dies in service to King Henry during the Crusades, her mother marries Vachel de Gerard.

The tale begins as Abrielle, her mother, and her stepfather attend a banquet where it is theorized that King Henry will be honoring her late father for his dedication and will also honor Vachel de Gerard for his loyalty and years of service to the crown. The land and titles are needed in order to secure a good marriage for Abrielle. Her fiancé, Weldon de Marlé, died the day before their wedding. Although her stepfather is kind and loving, he has no title or finances with which to provide a suitable dowry for Abrielle.

Unfortunately, the King overlooks Vachel de Gerard's courage during the Crusades and her stepfather receives nothing. Abrielle is no longer the highly sought after bride. The only person who asks for her hand is her late fiancé's half-brother, the odious Desmond de Marlé. He inherited Weldon's tremendous wealth and could rescue Abrielle's mother and stepfather from financial ruin.

The mysterious deaths of his half-brother and two of his previous wives has given Desmond de Marlé the wealth he desires. Now he has set his sights on the virtuous and proud Abrielle. Abrielle knows her duty is to save her family, so she squares her shoulders and agrees to marry this disgusting monster.

Raven Seabern, an emissary for King David of Scotland, is a gorgeous, well-mannered warrior who catches Abrielle's eye at the King's banquet. He rescues her from Desmond's attack that evening and returns to celebrate her betrothal and wedding at Desmond's invitation. She resists his magnetism because she knows the salvation of her family rests solely on her shoulders. Desmond dies on their wedding night and chaos reigns as Abrielle is now at the mercy of many unsavory characters who want her wealth and will do most anything to obtain it.