Midwife Margory loved her work; if she could have a baby of her own, that would be Heaven. The difficulty was, she hadn't seen her social climbing husband for four years and her religious duty stood between her and the man who was stealing her heart. Now her penurious husband had returned, with dreadful demands. 16th century England had undulated between the old faith and Protestantism, between Henry VIII and his daughter, Elizabeth. Added to this challenging mix was the first person to be executed for witchcraft in England, herself a relative of Margory's. This complex cauldron included the arrival of Mary, Queen of Scots, Elizabeth's cousin, who regarded herself as a prisoner. Would Margory's friendship with Bess of Hardwick pave the way to a happier life?