Beatrice-Johanna is engaged to a man she does not love. When she meets Alsemero, Beatrice is frantic to break her engagement. Enter DeFlores, her father's servant, a man she detests, and who loves her desperately enough to do anything to win her good graces. In the seething intrigue that follows, Beatrice and De Flores both lay hands on what they want in a love story that runs with blood.