The war is over, but at Fairhaven Plantation, Charlotte's struggle has just begun. Charlotte Fraser returns to her late father's once-flourishing rice plantation on the Waccamaw River, determined to continue his tradition of growing the special kind of rice known as Carolina Gold. But Fairhaven Plantation is in ruins, the bondsmen are free, and money is scarce. To make ends meet, Charlotte reluctantly accepts a position as tutor to the young daughters...