When he's caught out by one ill-advised seduction too many, William Shakespeare flees Stratford to seek his fortune.
With the threat of Spanish invasion looming, and Papal assasins on the streets of London, there's no better time for a young man to make his name - if he can survive long enough.
Soon William's sharp wit has caught the eye of those in power. Despatched to Venice on a crucial mission, William little imagines the beauty of the floating city - or the malice of the enemies it conceals...