Book seven of the Lady Apollonia West Country Mysteries. The Lady Apollonia's household in the village of Aust discovers a seriously ill gentleman collapsed at the cottage door of the manor's forester. Assuming his care, the Lady learns that he is court physician to King Henry IV who is rumored to be suffering from serious illness. A malevolent Sicilian Count Dravini had wormed his way into the court of King Henry but is furiously insulted when he is thrown out of the court by an act of parliament against foreigners serving the monarch. Lady Apollonia is convinced that Dravini and his henchman are hired by some in the English nobility who have rebelled against King Henry. As a known supporter of King Henry, the Lady is forced to face a series of attacks against her while proving the innocence of one who seeks her protection.