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'Rupert Jenkins came from Liverpool to the colony of New South Wales as a child, but by 1837 he has lost his family yet gained a he is a skilled carpenter on Sydney’s magnificent Elizabeth Bay House. He is also a Freemason, loyal to the Masonic beliefs in equality, justice and peace—but he doesn’t hesitate to use his fists against a bully at work, tall Irishman, Ronan O’Connell. Nor can he stand O’Connell’s Catholic mates, who back up the man’s fanatical and violent Republicanism.So, what is Rupert to do when he meets the dangerously attractive, diminutive but feisty Beatrice Byrne at Casements, the timber merchants, and finds that she is a Catholic? His ideal partner should be Julia Bold, the lovely sister of his best friend, Charles; and Beatrice seems destined for the suave, wealthy Kieran Casement. Social power in Sydney derives from the English, the Masonic Lodge supports freedom of religion but excludes Catholics, and the Bold family provides the only intimate support Rupert enjoys in his life. If he pursues Beatrice Byrne, he may lose it all.Meanwhile conflict still threatens at work, a fire puts Rupert’s very life in danger, and hurdles continue to rise before him on the risky path to love. Ironically, one of these obstacles may be his own prejudice, the hatred that he deplores in others but cannot conquer in himself. It takes another catastrophic fire to reveal his true direction' (Publication summary)
