This story is set in ancient Rome and is the sequel to Brothers. The slave Verluccus has had to leave Gaia and go to Rome with his master, her brother Gaius. A pregnant Gaia loses her child. Verluccus is accused of killing Gaius and making off with pirates. he is capture and condemned to death but by saving the life of a child is reprieved, freed and set up as a smith in Rome. He gains wealth as a freedman. News comes that Gaia has been divorced by her husband and travels to Britain with her father and Gaius to bring her home. There the truth is learned - and happiness ensues