Johanna of Stanrudde, wife to Katel the Spice Merchant, hates the man her father forced her to marry almost as much as she hates the man who stole her heart and her virginity then abandoned her, Robert of Blacklea.  But this winter, as famine walks the land, Johanna discovers her husband's plot to destroy Rob who is newly returned to Stanrudde.  After Rob saves her from a mob of the starving can she stand aside and let Katel kill him or find the faith to trust Rob when he vows that he still loves her?