Bess and Will have been at Hallet's Point above the Hell Gate whirlpools for five years. She has a real English garden, and they are celebrating Hannah's eighteenth birthday, wherein Hannah will also become betrothed to John Browne. Anneke and Toby live in nearby Flushing, all still in Dutch territory. Joan has died and Elizabeth is estranged from her granddaughter. Lisbet seems to be in love with Captain Underhill, who is old enough to be her grandfather. Bess, not feeling well, uses foxglove leaves to feel better.
A young widow who resembles Bess when she was young has befriended the Hallets, especially Will. Also causing some jealousy for Bess is a cobbler named Wickenden who is taking a lot of Will's time preaching about the voice of God talking straight into the human.....
