Belfiore is left alone in France when her Italian minstrel father dies and decides to seek her relatives in the England of the Wars of the Roses. She meets a young French minstrel Renard and they entertain together until their paths diverge. Her quest does not turn out as expected but her fortunes change when she becomes an attendant to the Countess of Richmond in her noble fortress of Lathom in Lancashire. Bel becomes embroiled in the Countess's plans to make her son Henry Tudor King and there are many people and events to change her life before finally she can fulfil her destiny.