The harshness of 19th-century life for women as seen through the eyes of a young bride. Margery Blake is nothing but a pawn in family affairs and her marriage is seen as a good match. Margery has no power, no voice, no control over her own life and endures her husband's rights to her body in order to produce an heir. Margery soon learns 'husband' is merely another title for owner, beater, brute, bully, evil. Yet, she finds friendships in the most unlikeliest places.
