Continuing the tale of Oliver Cromwell's youngest daughter which begun with Shadow of the Protector; Frances has just got over the pain of her heartbreak at not being able to marry the man of her heart. She is now a beautiful, self-possessed young woman, determined to be free of her father's overbearing power. Cromwell is Lord Protector of England, but is looking for one of his sons to succeed him as he reaches a fragile age. Frances' eyes soon alight on the charming Lord Rich, yet as he has Royalist tendencies, once again Cromwell looks set to forbid the union. Frances this time defies her father, and eventually he relents and they marry. It is not her last act of defiance, however, and soon her sympathies turn away from her father's beliefs and England looks set to follow suit...