Bedfordshire, 1865. Kate Devlin is young, ambitious . . . and trapped. The eldest of three children, Kate helps her mother run the Devlin plait-school. They supply the material for the famous Luton Straw Boater.Times and fashions are changing, and Kate longs to leave this life behind. Her dream is to become a hat-maker.Then a family tragedy changes everything . And Joseph Devlin, Kate's estranged uncle, turns up on their doorstep. He warns Kate that the worst is yet to come.Kate loses her home and her work. Things are looking very bleak, until Daniel Groves, the new owner of Heaven Scent lavender farm takes a liking to Kate.It's not long before he declares his love for her and asks her to marry him. But Kate doesn't feel the same way about Daniel.Despite all her struggles, Kate's biggest battle is just beginning. Can she follow her dreams while keeping her family afloat?