England, 1911. When a free-spirited young woman arrives in a sleepy Berkshire village to work as a maid in the household of The Reverend and Mrs Canning, she sets in motion a chain of events which changes all their lives. For Cat has a past – a past her new mistress is willing to overlook, but will never understand…

This is not all Hester Canning has to cope with. When her husband invites a young man into their home, he brings with him a dangerous obsession…

During the long, oppressive summer, the rectory becomes charged with ambition, love and jealousy – with the most devastating consequences.