Sir Owain of Whitecliff has found the woman he wants to marry. He asks her father for her hand but then is called off on duty to the king.
Sir Crispin, Eloise's father, leaves her betrothal in Sir Rolphes care, her step brother. He pushes her towards Sir Piers. After not hearing from Owain she eventually marries Piers. It is a horrible marriage as he quickly turns cruel and puts jousting before her. Then her 3 month fate hits. She had been betrothed and both times when it reached 3 months, they had died. After 3 months of marriage Piers dies in a jousting accident.
Eloise must fight his family to keep the lands and she finds he has many debts to be paid off as well.
When Eloise returns to her fathers home for her sisters betrothal she finds Owain is there. She is angry at him for running off on her and as hard as he tries to regain her, she fights him. And the fact she has been told what a womanizer the man is.
She has been called to London as well to face the King, who wants to choose a husband for her.
While in London she finds Owain has asked for her hand a 2nd time, from the King. As she refuses it turns out there will be a joust and she is now the prize. She also begins to find out what a terrible man her husband had been.