In 1920, Annabeth De Lacy's father is appointed landlord of Galway Parish in Ireland. Bored without the trappings and finery of the British Court, Annabeth convinces her father to arrange an apprenticeship for her with the Jennings family—descendants of the creator of the famed Claddagh ring. Stephen Jennings longs to do anything other than make a career in his family's jewelry shop. The past has taught him to no longer believe in love and the "lies" the Claddagh ring supposedly promises. How can he peddle what he now finds offensive? The war for Irish independence gains strength, and the De Lacy family is caught in the cross fire. As events take a life-threatening turn, Annabeth and Stephen will discover that the bonds of friendship, love, and loyalty can only be made stronger when put through the refiner's fire.