Gabriel and Lord Alvert were the very best of friends. Close, with a deep respect for each other. Now, suddenly Gabriel finds himself facing a challenge from the Lord, a duel, swords at dawn because Gabriel, the Lord Alvert believes, has tried to seduce The Lady Bishop away.

The breach of friendship, the audacity of the crime, the breaking of class and station, was too much and the Lord has sent his seconds and issued the challenge. Gabriel does not fear the blade, does not fear losing. He does, however, fear the truth. Yet, the truth is the only thing that can set him free. Free from the challenge, free from the wrong but, above all, free from the secret he has been keeping his entire life.