Lord Petteril and his new viscountess return to England to face the consequences of their unequal marriage, only to discover that Petteril's valet, the enigmatic Stewart, has been arrested for theft.

Naturally, Piers and April have to clear his name by finding the true thief among the Red Lion Inn's servants and guests, who include an eccentric baronet and his sister, a wounded soldier and an old friend from Stewart's past. But Stewart isn't helping himself by keeping secrets which they need to unravel in order to reach the truth.

Events take a more terrifying turn when Piers is shot at, and April makes a momentous decision regarding the future of their marriage.