"The wide world beyond my reach, that seemed to hold out infinite possibilities of romance, of adventure, of love, perhaps, and stores of gold . . . "

Having never set foot beyond the edges of the old family farm near London, alongside the Roman road to Canterbury, John Kemp dreams of romance. Two Spanish kinsmen visit a neighbor, fanning those dreams . . . but then depart for Liverpool. Fate throws the Spaniards into the company of thieves and fighters, however -- and their desperate flight takes them back to London, seeking aid -- and dragging John into more adventure than he bargained for!