In Madeira, motherless Marianna lives a carefree childhood. Her closest friend is Jacinto, the intelligent son of her father's vineyard manager. But at 16, she is married off to an older man by her feckless father. In England, William Penfold turns out to be ruthless and abusive. Much later Jacinto follows her and they inevitably become lovers. But it will be years before they can be together... Historical Romantic Saga by Nancy Buckingham; originally published by Eyre Methuen [UK]