It is 1914 and Europe is on the brink of war. Anne Corby flees Russia following the death of her parents, but as she is pregnant with an illegitimate child — the result a brutal rape — Anna returns to her home town of Darlaston, hoping to seek sanctuary with her Aunt Clara. She takes with her nothing but a mysterious amulet given to her by her rescuer to deliver to an old friend of her parents in the Black Country.

But home is fraught with danger too. Anne's aunt Clara sees the girl's bastard as a threat to her ownership of Glebe Metalworks and she resolves to be rid of her niece by any means necessary, so she enlists her evil son Quenton to help her.

Meanwhile, Laban and Unity Hurley who have a prestigious company of master saddle makers, take Anne in, teach her the art of leather working and help her to make a success of the iron foundry. And, as war clouds gather, Anne struggles to save her child and to survive her heritage of shame.

Meg Hutchinson