1870 - Emma Grady has spent seven years of servitude as a convict in Australia. Now, having earned her ticket of leave, she is still bound by chains of honour and friendship. Yet she lives for the day when she will return to England, to face those who cheated and betrayed her. And to Marlow Tanner, the man she loves and whose tragic child she bore and then lost.

As Emma battles against adversity, she is unaware that in England the child she had given up for dead is being lovingly raised by Marlow’s sister, Old Sal. Molly grows up to be an expert pickpocket, but her fierce loyalty to her partner in crime, Old Sal, earns her the admiration of all who know her.

Emma is plagued with fears. Will she ever be reunited with Marlow? Even if she finds him, will he still love her? And what of the child lost to them both?