Osiřelá Olivia je svěřena do pěstounské péče tyranskému strýci. Nic netušící dívka je bohatá dědička a vypočítavý krachující strýc ji násilím provdá za svého syna, aby zachránil svoji i jeho budoucnost. Olivia trpělivě snáší manželovo pití i bití a z domu uteče až ve chvíli, kdy má jako výhra v kartách připadnout cizímu muži.
Malá Lissie má těžký život už od okamžiku, kdy přišla na svět. Její matka, dívka z vysokých vrstev, kterou svedl rodinný přítel a jíž se vlastní rodiče zřekli, zemřela při porodu. Služka Grace, která se o rodičku měla postarat, děťátko výhodně prodá překupníkovi. Zatímco Lissie pomalu dospívá, tvrdě pracuje a snáší kruté tresty od své macechy, Grace se stane majitelkou nevěstince. Jednoho dne se životní cesty obou žen opět spojí.
A gripping, gritty novel set during the run-up to the launch of Titanic - published in time for its 100th anniversary year ----------------------------------------- Loss Phyllis Kimber's entire future is called into question after her father is killed in Earl Redfern's employ. But the earl knows something about Phyllis that means she will always be looked after. Lies As lady's maid to Martha, Phyllis is the American heiress's only confidant in England: she knows Martha doesn't love the recently widowed Lord Melton, the man Martha's socially ambitious father is determined she marries, but there's another secret - a secret that makes Phyllis give up everything to protect her friend. Loyalty Martha begins making preparations to return to America with Phyllis, her father and new husband on the Titanic but the burden of deception eclipses Phyllis's hope for a new future. As she struggles to protect Martha, Phyllis must decide where her loyalties lie, unaware of the undiscovered secrets in her own past and of the tragedy that is about to unfold on that fateful crossing.
Desire Lettie Hargreaves wants more than her simple, uncomplicated life with her grandmother can provide. She longs for excitement and love and she's determined to make something of herself. Deceit There is something about Lettie's mother that Ivy has kept hidden from her granddaughter, something that would shatter her world. So when Lettie suggests going into service for the ailing Lady Laughton, Ivy knows she must do something to stop it. Determination Feeling stifled and confused, Lettie chooses a different path that offers her the chance at love and of the life she so craves. But she is still the same strong-minded young woman and her ambition may do more harm than good as she is entirely unaware of the secrets her actions will uncover.