A novel of rare fire it is the story of Deborah who becomes a secret agent for Queen Elizabeth. In 1586 England is at the edge of its most important period in history, but the Queen is threatened by the vivid danger Mary Stuart represents so near in Chartley. Elizabeth becomes enchanted by Deborah-one of her maids wards-by her beauty, precociousness and intelligence, and sees a way Deborah can be of use to her. Thus, shortly after her seventeenth birthday, Deborah embarks upon the first of her hazardous adventures.