In the eighth century arranged marriages are the norm between countries looking to develop profitable and friendly relations. As the dutiful daughter of the King of Denmark, Mathilde must set aside childish notions of love and resign herself to marrying the only son of AEthelstan the Underpaid, King of Northumbrage, England. However, when Cuthbert of Cleethorpes, an ealdorman in service to AEthelstan, rescues Mathilde from the icy waters of the North Sea, it is love at first squint. What follows is a romantic comedy of errors as Mathilde and Cuthbert try to honor their oaths of fealty while struggling to deny their feelings for one another."