A story of love and survival in 1788, Virginia. Abigail Stanton fears for her safety when her stepmother makes an offer no man would refuse. Widower, Carrick Chandler, determined to gallantly intercede, both helps and hurts them, catapulting Abigail and himself into a doomed future. When secrets, fears, and intrigues become part of daily life, Abigail must choose rather to wager body and soul for love, or surrender to a shattered unknown.