Can an orphaned young woman find her way in a time of social upheaval? Paisley Scotland. 1828. Orphaned Elizabeth Cunningham is taken on as a companion to the lady of the Montgomery household at the age of fourteen. When the mistress dies Elizabeth becomes the housekeeper and runs the fine household for domineering Rab Montgomery and his sons Matthew and James who all work for the family's shawl manufacturing business. Elizabeth is only seventeen on the fateful day when overseas naval surgeon Adam Montgomery Rab’s eldest son briefly returns home to his father’s house after the death of his fiancée in India. From that day Elizabeth’s life is changed forever. As tensions grow family loyalties are tested as cholera sweeps through the town of Paisley and illness ravages those close to Elizabeth. Elizabeth’s position as housekeeper is under threat when Rab loses the respect of the town and hard decisions have to be made about her future.
