When James the Sixth, His Grace of Scotland, also becomes His Majesty of England, far-reaching changes take place in the two realms.

David Murray, the young son of Sir Andrew, a Perthshire laird, has no aspirations to greatness. Then a chance encounter with King James the Sixth leads to him becoming Cup Bearer and Master of the Horse to his young liege. Together with James s foster brother John Erskine, Master of Mar, the three men enter a new era of political intrigue and dynastic manoeuvring.

When David meets and falls in love with Elizabeth Beaton he hopes that he can distance himself from court events and lead a quiet family life in his beloved Perthshire hills. But the demands of a right royal friend lead him straight back into the thick of one of the most notable periods of Scots and English history.