Winter of 1561. Lucretia, the Duchess of Ferrara, is called to accompany her husband, Alfonso, on an unexpected visit to a country villa. When they sit down for dinner, Lucretia realizes that Alfonso has brought her to this villa with malicious intent. He plans to kill her.

The Duchess is only sixteen years old and has spent her life locked away in a grand palace in Florence. In this remote villa, she is at the mercy of her increasingly unpredictable husband. What can Lucretia do with this sudden realization? Does she stand a chance against Alfonso, who rules over an entire territory and has military training? How can she ensure her survival?