Malta. Summer 1551. Here, in a brilliant arena clouded by

corruption and violence, Francis Crawford of Lymond finds

himself precipitated into an intricate and potentially lethal duel with Graham Reid Mallett, a man famed for his virtues. Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St John of Jerusalem, Rhodes and Malta, Mallett has great influence over many men. So does his dangerous and beautiful sister, Joleta. Lymond is ripe for seduction- or destruction.