1186, the Holy Land. Thibault of Lontjoie wants his lovely sister, Melisende, to stay unwed. But her heart is set on Thibault's castellan, Robert, whose chivalry, prowess and beauty have made him her heart's desire. But even if her brother were willing, Robert is too poor to make a suitable match for a noblewoman, and too honourable to take advantage of her. This means that Melisende must seduce Robert - a challenging task for a virgin. She sets about using her sensual body and her ingenious mind to cope with whatever fate can throw at her; capture, exposure, betrayal and shame. In her brother's castle and the Emir's harem, she exerts her resourcefulness and employs her appetite for pleasure to secure the prize of her forbidden crusade.