When future governor Philip Gidley King sailed with the First Fleet to the new colony, he had his pick of the convict women to look after him.

Two years, and two sons, later, he set out back to England to provide a report on Sydney and its newly tamed Norfolk Island, as his mistress begged him to return to her and their children.

After a year and a half he did - but bringing with him a shocking secret that would cut her to the core, and forevermore change all their lives.

This is the story of tangled love affairs, twisted loyalties, betrayals, hardship, male infidelity, female friendship, and the tragedies and triumphs of life in a new land.