Chapter 1

The Elliots own a 1500-acre rice plantation close to Charleston, South Carolina. In 1786, Sarah and William Elliot decide it is time for their youngest son to marry like his elder brother Thomas had. Jonathan is against the idea, favoring his games with unsuspecting slave girls instead. This is the story, written from Sarah's perspective, of her attempts to convince her son, Jonathan, to marry a nice, young girl.