Lady Jenyth, Jane to herself and friends, can look back on an adventurous life that has carried her from kitchen maid to baroness in her own right. It is a secret that she replaces the original Jenyth, dead of the summer fever. Her new identity hides her from King Ulrich, who hunts her under threat. She has no idea why this is so, unless he knows of her task set by the elves to find Jessica, who may be a lost princess. But at the moment she is lying awake trying to avoid telling herself horror stories about her guardian’s arranged marriage for her. This turns out to be a justified dread, though her proposed husband, when he turns up, is himself a delightful companion. But the objections are appalling and difficult to overcome. And before Jenyth can get on with her Elven set search she she is ordered to the capital to be presented to King Ulrich himself. However, among all the palace hazards she does manage at last to find Jessica at last. After this, the story is of Jane’s growing up to competent maturity through many adventures. And of Jessica’s learning from the beginning how to be queen.