When botanical artist Clare Livingstone unexpectedly inherits her uncle's property in Tuscany, she travels to Italy to learn why, despite their long estrangement and complicated past, she was chosen to maintain his legacy. The hill town of Cortona, however, won't give up its secrets easily. Clare is immediately plunged into intrigue. Two men pursue her, but with agendas of their own; neighbours try to delve into the story of her past; and unscrupulous archaeologists are drawn to her property in search of buried Etruscan artefacts. Once again forced to negotiate between desire and history - in a balance as fragile as the orchids she illustrates for science - Clare realizes she cannot escape her life of deception until she finally confronts the truth she has kept buried so long.