In medieval times honorable men had to do what was required of them by the kings to whom they were loyal...Thomas Lancaster, a widower with bad memories of marriage and a young son he barely knew was a hardened knight loyal to his king. In reward for his efforts fighting in the Crusades, King Edward gave him Middlemound Castle to hold for the crown. But the king decreed that he must marry the beautiful young widow of the castle's previous lord. Lady Gloriana Stewart had suffered brutally in her first marriage and had no desire to marry again. Yet she had no choice. She had to protect her people and obey her king. All she wanted was for her new husband to give her a baby. Having already lost one wife in childbirth, Thomas refused to even consider it. Sir Rowan Montgomery, Thomas's first knight, friend, and lover complicated the situation even more. Thomas didn't want to give up Rowan and Gloriana didn't want to admit she had feelings for her husband and for Rowan.