When Roger Bigod heir to the powerful earldom of Norfolk arrives at court in 1177 to settle a bitter inheritance dispute with his half-brothers he encounters Ida de Tosney young mistress to King Henry II. A victim of Henrys seduction & the mother of his son Ida is attracted to Roger & sees in him a chance of lasting security beyond the fickle dazzle of her current life. But her decision to marry Roger carries an agonising price. Rogers importance as a mainstay of the Angevin government puts an increasing strain on their marriage. Ida is deeply unhappy with the life she must live in his absence & grieves for her losses. Against a volatile political background the gulf between Ida & Roger threatens to widen beyond crossing especially when so many bridges have already been burned.