Ashton Fletcher Irwin, son of duke Tomas Irwin, is supposed to marry this year. Suitors are lining up, coming from the farthest corners of the country. He does not want to marry though, and when in a fit of rage he catches sight of a kitchen boy, he thinks he might know why. But the middle ages are hard and Ashton finds himself having to protect the reticent boy from lips that lack chasteness, religion, revenge and sometimes even himself.