1810: Gilly and Ruaraidh have ignored Canon Law and married. Discovering her new husband with another woman less than twenty-four hours after their irregular marriage, Gilly gathers her children and leaves Dalnabreck. Refusing to take little more than she arrived with and accompanied by two Bo’et Guardians, she walks away from the only people she knows in the nineteenth-century. Bruised and humiliated by her husband’s infidelity, she arrives in Edinburgh and sets about bringing order to her life. Committed to providing for her children and not relying on others, Gilly determines to create the very first couture house in the city, encouraged by her Guardians and aided by an unexpected bequest. As her fledgling business grows, can she move forward and find contentment once again?

Enmeshed in a tangle of time travel, identical twin brothers, and noble, alien bloodlines, she learns elements of the truth. Whilst those closest to her maintain her Lack of Enlightenment, Gilly’s sole protection from those who would seek to cause her harm. Assisted by her children and Guardians, she embarks on a journey of understanding and acceptance regarding Bo’et. An undertaking which is neither straightforward nor easy and requires Gilly to open her mind to a reality she would once have dismissed as ludicrous.

Will Ruaraidh follow his wife and attempt reconciliation? Or, now recovered from his physical wounds, will he rejoin the army earlier than planned, and resume his career? Is he prepared to walk away from everything he truly loves but considers himself unworthy of? Or will he fight for his family?