Linlithgow Palace, 1543.As Henry VIII turns greedy eyes northwards towards the baby Queen of Scots, the ghosts of Scotland's bloody past rise from the grave. With the queen a child, her mother a captive, and the governor a puppet, the future of the realm hangs in the balance.Commanded by their master, Simon Danforth and his friend, Arnaud Martin, join the household of Queen Marie of Guise. But the glories of royal service are quickly tarnished for the loyal Danforth and lovelorn Martin.Marie's glittering household hides a deadly secret. When a series of murders takes place, recreating grisly deaths caused by Scotland's kings, Danforth is compelled to take to the political stage. What he finds makes it clear that the crown itself is under threat.Faced with a seemingly invisible murderer and drawn to a strange young woman, Danforth must decide where his own future lies: in loyal service or in marriage - duty or love.Caught in a web of deception, Danforth must unmask the assassin before the crown is stolen - or will chasing ghosts lead him to the grave?