The path to true love lies somewhere between two feuding
families
In the spring of 1822, Ellie Ballantyne leaves finishing
school and returns to the family home in Pittsburgh only to
find that her parents are away on a long journey and her
siblings don't seem to want her to stay. Determined to stand
her ground and find her place in the world, Ellie fills her
time by opening a day school for young ladies.
But when one of her students turns out to be an
incorrigible young member of the Turlock family, Ellie knows
she must walk a fine line. Slaveholders and whiskey
magnates, the Turlocks are envious of the powerful
Ballantynes and suspicious of their abolitionist leanings.
As Ellie becomes increasingly entangled with the rival
clan––particularly the handsome Jack
Turlock––she finds herself falling in love with
an impossible future. Will she betray her family and side
with the enemy?