Beautiful but willful Emma D'Arcy is determined to stay on as mistress of Fairfield Manor after her father dies. Fairfield is called Castle Ladyslipper by the locals, due to the extraordinarily large number of women who reside there. Even though Emma cares little for politics, she pledges fealty to the current queen of England, Eleanor of Aquitaine, who helped free her from an abusive marriage. Garrick of Hawkwood is a loyal knight serving King Henry II who dispatches him to Fairfield as warder. Since the king and queen are currently at war, Henry wishes to secure the rich demesne for his own purposes. Based on actual events, the two are caught up on opposing sides of a violent family war. Still, Emma and Garrick cannot deny their mutual attraction, the heat rising between them. But first, they must overcome suspicion, mistrust and marauding neighbors intent on stealing the land. To further complicate matters, Emma is dealing with a curse preventing all women of her lineage from bearing sons. And, Garrick must figure out why he is being haunted by Rose, Emma's great-great grandmother.