On an island world with three moons, in an era rather like the worlds portrayed by Jane Austen and Patrick O'Brian, Naval Surgeon Megere Cliff returns home from years at war to participate in the rites of the Seeker Season. She puts herself on the marriage mart for the sake of her wealthy family.
Megere attracts plenty of suitors, but even more trouble to herself. Reactionary clerics called Committees of Grace are seeking out any and all sedition in society. Megere becomes one of their targets. At the same time she is embroiled in aristocratic conspiracies she has no idea even exist.
Through social triumphs and personal tragedies, Megere is both drawn to and infuriated by the enigmatic, imperious Lord Adrew North, never sure whether he is enemy or ally.