Ruthlessly pursued by the unknown man who murdered her father, Rachel continues with the self-imposed task which can only lead her into greater danger. Despite her desperate situation she finds plenty to laugh at when she seeks refuge at The White Swan. Alone and penniless, she finds help eventually from the scar-faced Nick Varley. Only how can Nick hope to defend her from an enemy he doesn't even know? But he is to encounter many strange surprises in that deep winter of 1814.