BOOK FIVE - SWAN HILL, 1885. Having witnessed three murders while in service, young Patience Brown barely escapes with her life. Years later, she finds herself again challenged by desperation and fear when a man attempts to release her from an existence of near slavery. Both she and her rescuer are then forced flee for their lives when they cause the death of a secret brotherhood leader. The further north the couple head, the more Patience finds herself understanding that the desperate actions of her past will keep her from realising her desire to be with a man who has secretly loved her for years. THE FIVE VIRTUES ANTHOLOGY is the story of five orphaned girls, all former inmates of the Verwood House Orphanage in Melbourne. When another inmate is drowned, all five stand accused of murder, and they flee for their lives. Over a decade later, each girl is now a young woman, but each finds herself with yet another battle to fight, and with her survival again in jeopardy.