When Johanna van Zweel meets William the first day of January in 1900, she doesn't intend to fall in love and certainly not with an Australian. A foreigner, an uitlander, William and his mate Eddie have come to South Africa seeking to make their fortunes in gold.

With her parents away observing the Commando Law in the Orange Free State, Johanna is tasked with ensuring Eagle's Nest, the family farm in Barberton, runs smoothly and efficiently to support her brothers and sisters, each of whom is a player in the arena of a cruel war. She sees that her active duty in the war effort is to...