Lucy Bostock is only ten years old when a change of fortune snatches her from her poverty stricken home to Ladymoon Manor in Yorkshire. In this ancient house live the Holdens, the rakish Charles and the dutiful Edward. Lucy's life becomes entangled with theirs, and with the darkly handsome Saul Rowe, whose family work in the mill from which the Holdens derive their wealth. In a world where Luddite riots and witchcraft march hand in hand, Lucy must pit her wits against social prejudice and danger in order to achieve her heart's desire.