Tormented by his forbidden desire for men and painful memories of a childhood friend with whom he was once in love, lawyer David Lauriston tries to maintain a chaste lifestyle while he forges a reputation for himself in the privileged legal world of Edinburgh. When suddenly his humble and Lord Murdo Balfour breaks into an orderly life. The cynical and absolutely unceremonious hedonist Murdo is the complete opposite of David. And no matter how horrified David is by Murdo’s tenacity and selfishness, he is unable to resist his influence. Murdo seduces and provokes David in equal measure, forcing him to admit his physical desires. But Murdo is not the only one distracting David from his work. He is begged for help by Ian McLennan, the brother of a convicted radical whom David once represented. Ian is looking for the government agent who sent his brother on a prison ship to Australia and other radicals to the gallows. Despite the potential damage to his career, David is unable to turn his back on Ian. As the search progresses, it begins to look like the trail leads to none other than Lord Murdo Balfour. And David has to wonder: could Murdo not be what he seems? Is he really a bored aristocrat having fun at David's expense? Or is he an agent provocateur responsible for the fate of Peter MacLennan and other radicals?