A brash but not too busty novel of the 16th century displays the hotheaded exploits of Kit Peverel who is ordered by his patron, William Cecil, to keep out of trouble and an eye on Sir Harry Payne, the queen's favorite. Quite a blade- with a sword- Peverel is responsible for the duel against Tom Corfe, a pirate, in which Payne is killed. And with a price on his head, Peverel refuses to escape abroad but assumes the identity of Captain Bashful- a daring outlaw. In and out of hiding, Peverel continues his courtship of Jane Mantravers who is betrothed to Corfe- seduces her with sonnets until she attempts to seek a bill of divorcement through the Queen. A final encounter with Corfe follows his rescue of the Spanish ambassador in Corfe's hands, earns his pardon by the Queen and the reward of Jane... A scrappy, snappy sort of entertainment at an obvious level- rental.