Alys of Marlow was a simple knight's daughter, Raymond d'Aix was of the high nobility. But Alys and Raymond had fallen deep in love when Raymond was in England, and Alys' dowry was large enough to make Alys acceptable to Raymond's father. But in taking hold of that dowry, Alys makes a deadly enemy.Worse, Raymond's mother is not pacified by the rich dowry. Lady Jeannette resolves to make Raymond hate Alys and control him herself. She causes a violent quarrel between Raymond and Alys just at the time Raymond must go off to deal with his father's vassals.At that critical moment comes the news that Raymond's grandfather is dead. Raymond's father must hurry to the court of Louis of France to save Aix from a harsh overlord and Alys must somehow get her hysterical mother-by-marriage and sisters-by-marriage to the capital of Provence to attend Raymond-Berenger's funeral. Alys gets caught up in an attempt to abduct the heiress of Provence, and Raymond must rescue Alys from an unassailable fortress.