This is the fifth and final book in the popular Meryen series. Free-spirited Clemency Kivell is proud, during the Victorian era, of achieving ownership of a music shop in the industrial village of Meryen. The village’s young squire, partially blinded Matthew Faraday, who’s loved Clemency for three years, decides to hold a May Day festival. However, the event is spoiled - first for Clemency, when her cousin Jowan proposes to her and takes offense at her blunt rejection of him, and then for Matthew himself, when he and Clemency argue. Meanwhile, tragedy strikes for the Juleff family. Their two eldest children - reluctant teenage prostitute Nora, and cheeky ten-year-old Sammy - are brutally murdered. The plight of the remaining four children touches the community’s hearts. Clemency seeks to better their lot, but meanwhile, trouble is brewing. Matthew struggles to cope without Clemency’s friendship and support - but when Clemency realizes that she has fallen in love with Matthew, has she left it too late?