William has spent the past months on his own journey through a network of lies and machinations. In all this, his stepfather Lord John and his step-uncle Hal have been his anchors. Returning to Savannah from yet another search for a beloved person, William finds out that Lord John has been kidnapped. Since no trace of him is to be found, William only sees one way out: to ask his biological father for help.
In Fraser’s Ridge a bitter chapter comes to an end, and the settlers celebrate life with a new wedding. The festivities are crashed by a young rider who approaches Jamie directly and loses no time with civilities – which would have been a charade anyway, given the torn relationship between father and son.
„Sir,“ he said, and swallowed. „I need your help.“