Weaver's daughter, Alys, is struggling to make ends meet after her father's death, while trying to look after her widowed mother and her younger sister. Her only hope is the return of her fiancé, Stephen, from five years' adventuring. But will Stephen still wish to marry her now that she is reduced to penury?

In 1349 the Black Death pandemic falls in all its fury upon their village, and Alys learns that compassion and courage are essential to resilience. Yet as her relationship with Stephen falters, she discovers that marriage in itself does not engender love. If Stephen cannot arouse her, who can?