Rowena "Wren" Ballantyne has heard only whispered rumors of her grandfather Silas's vast fortune and grand manor in Pennsylvania. When her father receives a rare letter summoning him to New Hope, Wren makes the journey with him and quickly finds herself in a whole new world. There, she finds a friend in James Sackett, the most valued steamship pilot of the Ballantynes' shipping line. Even with his help, Wren feels she may never be comfortable in high society.

In the spring of 1822, Ellie Ballantyne opens a day school for young ladies. One of her students is an incorrigible young member of the Turlock family. The Turlocks are envious of the powerful Ballantynes and suspicious of their abolitionist leanings. As Ellie becomes increasingly entangled with the rival clan --- particularly the handsome Jack Turlock --- she finds herself falling in love with an impossible future. Will she betray her family and side with the enemy?

In 1784, Silas Ballantyne arrives at the door of blacksmith Liege Lee in York County, Pennsylvania. Silas is determined to finish his apprenticeship quickly and move west, but Liege endeavors to keep him in York by appealing to an old tradition: the apprentice shall marry one of his master’s beautiful daughters. Eden is as gentle and fresh as Elspeth is high-spirited and cunning. But are they truly who they appear to be?