Events are moving quickly in Mathomdale. While the slaves of the House of Mathom are embroiled in their own turmoil, newcomers are arriving by the day as the valley gears up for its summer festival. Rebecca is tormented by her own demons, Jennifer is still shocked by the revelations of her parenthood, Julie's status is more confused than ever and Darren must meet the most extraordinary inhabitant of Mathom Hall yet.

Amidst all this chaos, Eugene has returned to the valley with her three young girls in tow and begins to learn what it means to be the Mistress to her own slaves.

This latest episode in Michaela Francis' entrancing saga burns as passionately as ever and entwines the stories of its unforgettable characters into a richly detailed drama.