Trusting their old friendship, Elizabeth sends Simon to Scotland with a delegation that will propose a surprising husband for Mary, Queen of Scots. The trip turns into a nightmare, and they must deal with spies, intrigue, and a lawless marcher baron. While Simon struggles to stay alive in the north, his wife Hannah, adopted son Henry, and old friend Calkin join forces to discover who in their little hamlet who has gotten away with hurting others far too often and far too long. The killer is dangerous, and unless Hannah and Henry learn to trust each other, he'll get away with yet another murder.