It was a time of dire uncertainty for Richard and Isabella Pace, a young couple on their way to Jamestown in the colony of Virginia. Passing through London, they meet Shakespeare. Fleeing her angry family, they joined the Great Resupply Fleet of 1610. Forced to board separate vessels to avoid being spotted, their ships are dispersed by a hurricane. The pregnant Isabella arrives safely in the colony, but Richard's craft is run aground off Bermuda.
She experiences the Starving Time when Pawhattan imposes a trade embargo on the "cut throat" English, but meets and is befriended by Pocahantas. Richard finally arrives in Jamestown with his new friend John Rolfe to rejoin his Isabella and their new son George.With Rolfe, he ventures into tobacco planting, which does not prove successful until a boat load of slaves are traded for provisions by Dutch seamen. The slaves are expert tobacco men. They are indentured. Richard comes home with one named Hector. Isabella disapproves but adapts. They soon prosper and build a house across the James river.
Afterwards relationships between planters and natives deteriorate. After Pawattan's death and burial the natives attempt to massacre the colonists on Good Friday. Richard and Isabella survive.