Grainne MacDermott, dismissed from her position as lady's maid in England, returned home to western Ireland in February 1857—to a land rent by hunger and rebellion. Starvation stalked the countryside, which lay helpless in the grip of the potato famine. As resourceful as she was proudly beautiful, Grainne found work on the government's infamous roadbuilding scheme, then later as housekeeper to the lustful Michael Kearney. And amid the desolation she also found love. Con Shonley, tall and handsome, burned with a wish to help set Ireland free despite his half-English heritage. His involvement with the rebels would threaten his chances of happines with Grainne, who envisaged a safe future far away across the Atlantic. But she would stop at nothing to help her man..