Despite the powerful reputation of his family, the so-called Kings of Carrick, David, Master of Kennedy, had no desire to become a warrior. A determined and purposeful man, blessed with great mental prowess all he desired was a quietly satisfying family life, together with peace and prosperity for his people of Carrick.
But it was not his valuable personal qualities which were to bring David Kennedy to the attention of Scotland's romantic and personable monarch, James IV, but rather the identity of the sister, beautiful Janet with her flame red hair.
Whatever its cause, the association between the King and David Kennedy was to prove highly beneficial to Scotland in the troubled years ahead. When Henry VII and the English Tudor's sought to style themselves suzerains, or Lord's Paramount, of the northern kingdom, modest David Kennedy was to find himself reluctantly promoted to a leading role in maintaining the well being of his country. Nigel Tranter's thrilling story of a dramatic tale of courage, danger and a romance is set at the dawn of the sixteenth century.