Does absence always make the heart grow fonder? An unexpected death and a chilling murder extend Owen Archer's stay in Wales, with dramatic consequences for both himself and his wife, Lucie.

Wales, 1370. Owen has completed his latest mission for the Duke of Lancaster, but his plan to return home is thrown into peril when the young stonemason carving the tomb of Owen's late father-in-law, English knight Sir Robert D'Arcy, is discovered hanged.

A TREASONOUS ACT.

The Archdeacon of St David's wants Owen to find out whether Cynog was executed due to his support for the would-be Welsh redeemer, Owain Lawgoch's, rebellion against English rule. Prolonging his stay in Wales means that Owen will be unable to deliver the news of Sir Robert's death to Lucie in person, but can he really leave her father's tomb unfinished?

LOYALTIES QUESTIONED . . .

As Owen investigates Cynog's links to Lawgoch, he finds himself questioning his own purpose and is tempted by an unthinkable proposal. While in Owen's absence, Lucie also faces a difficult dilemma . . .