All's fair in love and war.

A bloody battlefield would not be any woman's choice for a betrothal venue. But when the king urgently demands a marriage of convenience to end the ongoing conflict between the families of de Guile and Elford, Margaret must comply. Resolved but determined to manage at least part of her own fate, strong-willed Margaret de Guilles joins the negotiations for her marriage.

Richard of Elford will do his duty. Raised to protect Elford he determines to end the bloodshed and save his demesne from the disastrous results of constant war. One look at the beautiful Margaret, however, and he wants more than a cold bargain, he wants a willing wife.

Instead of a negotiation between rival families, Richard removes everyone else from the negotiations and the parley becomes personal, between him and the beguiling Margaret. Forces on both sides attempt to disrupt their marriage parley, and Margaret and Richard must fight not only for the future of their demesnes but for their future together.