Marsali Gunn was destined from childhood to be the wife of Patrick Sutherland. But, returning home after long battles, Patrick learns with bitterness that irreconcilable enmity has broken out between their clans and his bride is being given as a wife to another. Not wanting to come to terms with this, Patrick steals Marsali straight from the wedding. The girl faces a difficult choice between her daughter's duty and her only love, which can plunge her and Patrick into the abyss of internecine war. Their only hope is to reconcile the warring clans. And then Patrick comes up with a cunning plan.